It’s crunch time still. Last week’s result was an overwhelming boost of confidence to the squad and let’s hope it carries them through till the end of the campionato. The game here is a tricky road test (as always) for Palermo but really does nothing for Siena. They’re essentially safe from any relegation talk and they have nothing else to play for. Nonetheless, Palermo would be wise not to underestimate any team when they play on the road.

After Udinese took it to Lazio today, they also enter into the mix for the final Europa spot. On a side note, CAN SOMEONE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION BRING UP D’AGOSTINO’S NAME PLEASE!? I mean, is there a more obvious choice for Liverani’s eventual replacement then the Palermo native?!? Man, is that frustrating. He needs to be on the list as a potential transfer target. End of story.

The gameplan is pretty simple. WIN. No need to focus really on any other teams at this point as we, in essence, hold the key to our destiny. Let Rioma implode and figure out who will buy them, who they will buy, who they will sell, who they love one day and who they hate the next. And then watch all those things change after 2 days.

Onto the squads…

Squad Status

Palermo

CLAMOROSO!!!!!! Yeah, here I was thinking that everything was looking nice. It seemed as if the squad would be at full strength minus the usual suspects…namely, the Aussie and Mr. Ayo for Yayo. Then, a quick visit to mediagol reveals the headline: “EMERGENZA DIFESA
Palermo a Siena senza Kjaer e Balzaretti” Great. Balzaretti is sick with a fever and Kjaer has been having muscle problems in his calf it appears. So it looks like we’ll be seeing Miggy holding down the role. And a Savini sighting.Madonna…

Probable Lineup:
Amelia; Cassani, Migliaccio, Bovo, Savini; Nocerino, Liverani, Bresciano, Simplicio; Cavani, Miccoli

A Disposizione:
Ujkani, Cossentino, Morganella, Kjaer, Tedesco, Guana, Succi, Mchelidze, Hernandez

Siena

Right. It’s Siena. Oh, Kharja had a cracker last week though. Earlier this week, Zuniga was listed as potential transfer target for Palermo. And we all love the hometown boy too. However, did anyone else see another hometown boy replicate the archer celebration today?! (D’Agostino!).

Probable Lineup: Curci; Zuniga, Brandao, Portanova, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Codrea, Galloppa; Kharja; Maccarone, Calaiò

A Disposizione:
Ivanov, Ficagna, Del Grosso, Coppola, Jarolim, Amoruso, Frick

Categorical Matchup

Rioma Transfer Target 1 vs. Rioma Transfer Target 2: Palermo. Amelia > Curci

ZOMG WHAT HAPPENED?! vs. Z Factor: Siena. I haven’t seen this many question marks in defense since I saw the Riddler on Batman the Animated Series.

Full Strength vs. Not Enough: Palermo. The midfield is at full strength for the first time in recent memory. That’s enough to tip the scales in their favor right there.

Record Breakers vs. Boring Palermo. Miccoli and Cavani are nearing the Palermo Serie A record for most goals by a duo with 25 to date. They’re after the ‘04-’05 version of Toni-Brienza who dropped 30. Ah, yes…memories.

Final Analysis

Win one for the Gipper! (Considering that Ballardini won’t be watching this one from the bench as he’s serving out his 1 game suspension for being awesome)

Form Guide

Palermo
WDWLW

Siena
WWLLW

Prediction
2-1. Maccarone, Cavani, Miccoli.

MOTM:

Miccoli

Remembering the Good Times

Se guardi in alto vedi
c’e’ un’aquila che vola
e’ il simbolo la fede
che sta nei nostri cuori….

Ed ecco siamo in gol
i rosa han fatto gol
la mia citta’ e’ in gol
io vivo per il gol
tifiamo tutti assieme
ed il successo viene con il gol!

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 15.00
Stadio La Favorità, Palermo

I warriors, brigate rosanero, siamo forti e vinceremo!

Preview

Derby delle Isole. Liverani is calling it the game of the year and in many ways he is correct. This is the game that will determine how we finish out our season. Will we be competing for the final Europa spot? Anything short of three points here at home says most likely no.

Jeremy over at the Cagliari Offside already has a good preview up for the game. Head over there for a more in-depth look at the squad. Yet, some things are worth mentioning again. Cagliari’s season has been nothing short of spectacular this year. If you were to go back to the beginning of the season, many “experts” picked them to head down to B – with little reinforcements coming into the team that just survived last year’s axe. The first five games certainly looked to back that prediction up quite well. However, the Sardinians turned in great results at a torrid pace – quickly moving themselves up the table and into the position they are today. Massimiliano Allegri is certainly worthy of a mention for Coach of the Year as he has his side playing some brilliant and skilled calcio. Their season is already a success, yet, they are out for more than just safety.

Palermo tifosi need no reminder of the last time these two squared up. Sadly, Jeremy is spot on when he observes Palermo’s addiction to self-destruct when a game-changing call goes against them is worse than Ronaldo’s addiction to trannys. Nonetheless, Ballardini has some extra incentive once again to try and beat the team he saved last season. In doing so, he could pretty much end their dreams of European glory.

Squad Status

Palermo

Well, we all know that Palermo is feelin’ the Cocaine Blues right now. No Moris the Barbarian…his absence hurts us even more so after Bovo picked up a suspension for some ticky-tack fouls last week. That leaves the backline looking pretty shaky. All signs point to a Kjaer-Savini partnership. Just be glad the Great Dane is around because a Miggy-Savini duo would’ve been a recipe for rotten hummus and spoiled chutney. It seems as if Emo’tino will be on the bench but not at 100%. Other than that, Amelia is banged up but the rest of the squad minus the Wizard of Oz should be good to go.

Probable Lineup:
Amelia; Cassani, Kjaer, Savini, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Liverani, Nocerino; Simplicio; Miccoli, Cavani

A Disposizione:
Ujkani, Cossentino, Tedesco, Guana, Succi, Mchelidze, Hernandez

Cagliari

Unfortunately, Cagliari seems to be at full strength for the most part. Therefore, they’ll have an edge from a Starting XI point of view – even if they are away at the Barbera. How much of an advantage that is in front of our tifosi, however, is the question.

Probable Lineup:
Marchetti; Pisano, Bianco, Canini, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Fini; Cossu; Jeda, Acquafresca

A Disposizione
Lupatelli, Matheu, Astori, Lazzari, Parola, Mancosu, Matri

Categorical Matchup

Established as Good vs. Surprisingly Good: Push. Marco is still recovering from shoulder woes. Marchetti has been one of the most important reasons for Cagliari’s success. He is as solid as they come between the sticks and he should be heavily linked with clubs looking for a solid GK during the upcoming mercato.

The Odd Couple vs. Caca Pants Returns!: Push. Cassani? Yes. Kjaer? Yes. Balzaretti? Yes. Savini? Yikes. He’s a nice guy…just doesn’t provide the kind of reassuring calm we need at the back – even if he IS in his old position at CB.

Ali Baba & Co. vs. The Unknowns: Push. The key to both of these teams rely in the midfield. Cagliari has gotten solid play out of their mids which has taken some pressure off their attack. Meanwhile, Palermo suffers from schizophrenia. One week, Jekyll; the next, Hyde.

Eyebrows & Frankenstein vs. Freshwater: Palermo. Cavani scores at home. That’s just how it is. Perhaps, the tifosi give him that extra gear to put the finishing boots on, but whatever it is, it’s working. Speaking of work, Miccoli needs to do some more of that on the pitch, rather than walking around half the time, pulling a toenail and then exiting the game.

Final Analysis

This is it. The picture to our season will be alot clearer after Sunday. Both teams match up remarkably well, so it’ll come down to who wants it more. And that might make us all a little nervous, eh?

Form Guide

Palermo
LWDWL

Cagliari
WWLWD

Prediction
2-1. Cavani, Miccoli, Jeda.

Cori!

One of my favorite chants from the Ultras:

Se guardi in alto vedi
c’e’ un’aquila che vola
e’ il simbolo la fede
che sta nei nostri cuori….

Ed ecco siamo in gol
i rosa han fatto gol
la mia citta’ e’ in gol
io vivo per il gol
tifiamo tutti assieme
ed il successo viene con il gol!

I warriors, brigate rosanero, siamo forti e vinceremo!

Preview
What’s there to say about what happened to La Bestia that hasn’t been said? Nothing. I can understand that you like to go out clubbing, and that snorting coke can give you a throbbing boner and an incredible high, but not during the season as a professional footballer. So where does this leave us? One player’s antics have brought the team from optimistic to not so optimistic in two days. Not only is the sacking of Carroz’ gonna cost us a lot of money, it also means a big hole in the central defense in case one of Bovo or Kjaer gets injured. Imagine having to play with Kjaer en Cossentino in the back. The two of them combined aren’t even half as old as Maldini is.

The game in Milano couldn’t come at a worse time. We’re still fighting for that coveted European spot (altough it’s gonna be almost impossible now that Lazio and Samp are playing the Coppa final) and Milan can smell the second place. Luckily, we do well against the big teams this season. And we got a draw in Milano two weeks ago, which is good.

Squad Status

Palermo

Beauty needs to miss The Beast from now on, so we’re gonna see a Bovo-Kjaer partnership. Simplicio returns to take back his place as the provider of fine passes, and Micco will start over Succi. Guana’s back as well, and so is the Rijeka Fatman, who will provide the rest of the team with Big Mac’s during the second half.

Probable Lineup:
Amelia; Cassani, Carrozzieri, Kjaer, Balzaretti; Tedesco, Liverani, Migliaccio; Simplicio; Cavani, Miccoli

Bilan

Gianfranco at the Milan Offside is doing one hell of a job, so go and visit him for more info on Milan. I can already tell you that they will be missing Gennaro Gattuso, Marco Borriello, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Daniele Bonera, Christian Abbiati, Giuseppe Favalli and Luca Antonini.

Probable Lineup:
Dida; Zambrotta, Senderos, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka; Inzaghi, Pato

Categorical Matchup

I Heart Roma vs. Butterfingers: Palermo. Milan may have the best defensive home record, that’s got nothing to do with the Brazilian between the posts. Marco will look to impress AS Bankruptcy once more, so expect a good match.

Beheaded vs. The Wheelchair Quartet: Push. Milan want half of our defense, we wan’t none of theirs. We’re equal.

Not the same guys as last week vs. I’m so Metrosexual: Milan. We seem to be rotating a lot in midfield lately, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing. Add the gay-factor of Milan’s midfield to that, and I don’t see us winning this battle.

Guido & Fabio vs. Tap-in Time: Push. Fuck Inzaghi, and fuck the Duck. Cavani’s on fire and Micco will want to prove himself. If our defense can avoid letting Inzaghi stand next to Amelia for 90 minutes, we’re safe.

Final Analysis

I’ll ask you: why shouldn’t we be able to take at least one point back to Palermo? Milan has only lost once in their own stadium, but we’ve beaten Juve, Samp and Fiorentina on the road and stole a point against Inter. And let’s remember that we have beaten already beaten Milan this season, even if they got two imaginary penalties.

The Carrozz’-case will most definitely have it’s effect on the players, but if you’re a pro, you have to shake things like that off, and continue with the things you get paid for.

Form Guide

Palermo
WLWDW

Milan
WDWWW

Prediction
1-1. Cavani, last minute equalizer Inzaghi.

Se guardi in alto vedi
c’e’ un’aquila che vola
e’ il simbolo la fede
che sta nei nostri cuori….

Ed ecco siamo in gol
i rosa han fatto gol
la mia citta’ e’ in gol
io vivo per il gol
tifiamo tutti assieme
ed il successo viene con il gol!

As we all know by now, Milan has found a replacement for their fat, kinda gay lookin’, underperforming Brazilian. His replacement is, well, another fat, kinda gay-lookin’, underperforming Brazilian. In the meantime, half of Palermo still seems to be leaving and we’re after half of Serie A to replace them.

First, the good news. Sergio Floccari is not coming to Palermo. Sabatini blew up the deal, so he’s done his first good job. But Floccari probably won’t be staying in Bergamo, as another team is already on the look-out. Who? Genoa. That’s right, Foschi’s Genoa.

More good news: Emo’tino is getting playtime next year! At Triestina, but it’ll still be a chance for him to make some progress. Our other young potential, Edgar Cani, is close to a loan to Ascoli.

Seems like Udinese is after Mattia Cassani. Zamparini said he’s not going anywhere. I can’t blame him. I think you all might remember a little something called ‘kaboom!’:

Bresciano, on the other hand, is not untouchable. Not only is he transferlisted, but he’s even being offered to teams. Like Roma. They need a new benchwarmer now that Esposito is getting some playtime.

Too bad for Ricci, but Zigic ain’t coming. Zamp said that ‘he’s not needed at the moment’. Good, we can splash the cash on someone else. Someone like the person who said this yesterday:

“Per me è davvero un piacere ed un onore essere accostato ad una grande squadra e ad una società seria come quella rosanero.”

Wanna know who said that?

That’s right, Lil’ Abate. I love him. I love him like Martha loved Figo. And Vieri. And me.

And one last thing: we’re still after Michaël Chrétien, because Dellafiore seems to be leaving. A little more about him: he’s french-moroccan (which means he combines couscous with baguettes at dinner time), in six season he played 174 games for Nancy, scoring 9 goals. Oh yeah, and he looks like a tuffguy.

Overview

This is it. The last game of the season at home. The tifosi rosanero will look to salute players who are playing at the Renzo Barbera for the last time in a Palermo jersey. Among the players who are 100% certain to leave are the legend Amauri, Zaccardo, Barzagli and even Emo’tino (at least to get more experience before coming back). It is hard to see these guys leave (well, 3 out of the 4 at least…).

There has been alot of debate concerning who will wear the captain’s armband for the final home game. Obviously, Barzagli has been the “captain” this season, but he hasn’t displayed any of the qualities. Seeing as he’s also leaving at the end of the season, the question of who should wear the armband for the final game has been a tad difficult. During the course of the week, every player who has been interviewed has been asked the question. Colantuono addressed the situation yesterday and said there’s a possibility Amauri could wear the armband. The public has been actively calling for Amauri to be captain, but as of right now it’s still up in the air. Everyone of us would agree that Amauri has been our leader and “captain” this year. He’s given his heart to this club and has not given up at any point this season. The honor of “capitano” should be bestowed upon him if not for this one and only time. In fact, on Thursday, around 100 fans showed up during Palermo’s training and unveiled a banner written in Portugese thanking Amauri for all he’s done for Palermo. He will surely be missed.

The club also still has hopes for a chance at Europe via the Intertoto Cup as we trail Genoa by 2 points with two games to go. It’s amazing to think that after how awful this season has been, there is still a chance we could qualify for Europe. It would be an amazing way to end the season and certainly prove that The Suit should have never been sacked earlier this year. Nonetheless, this game has a good deal of importance for Palermo, its players and its fans.

Squad Status

Palermo

Palermo will be without Bresciano for sure. The interesting thing here is that there are alot of doubts as to the lineup Colantuono will field. In fact, Barzagli and Zaccardo might not even start, according to The Suit. That would effectively end the debate as to who would be captain. However, I have a difficult time believing that we would sit Zacca and Barza even for a half given that Intertoto is still a possibility. Nonetheless, Biava and Cassani would fill in their places. The other questions regarding the lineup are the spots in the midfield between Miggy and the Retard and Bikerman and Cavani. It seems as Miggy and Bikerman have the advantage over the other two – good. Once again, we will be employing the 4-2-3-1.

Probable Lineup:
Agliardi; Zaccardo, Barzagli, Rinaudo, Balzaretti; Simplicio, Migliaccio; Jankovic, Miccoli, Caserta; Amauri

Bench:
Super Fontana; Emo’tino, Cassani, Biava; Di Matteo, Guana, Nonno Tedesco; Çani, Carbonaro, Cavani

Sampdoria

For more on Sampdoria and their lineup, go visit Sampdoria’s Offside page. Oh wait, that’s right…they don’t have one. I guess I’ll have to fill in then. Samp will be without Castellazzi, Volpi, Kalu and Lucchini. Now that they’ve lost out on a CL spot and have already qualified for UEFA, this game is a tad meaningless for them. Nonetheless, Mazzarri’s side will use a 3-5-2 with Palermitano Accardi making a return back to his city of birth.

Probable Lineup:
Mirante; Gastaldello, Sala, Accardi; Maggio, Sammarco, Palombo, Franceschini, Pieri; Cassano, Bellucci

Bench:
Fiorillo; Miglionico, Campagnaro; Delvecchio, Zenoni, Ziegler; Bonazzoli, Montella

Categorical Matchup

“I’m Getting Better” Agliardi vs. Mirante: Sampdoria. Agliardi has been showing improvement over the last couple of games, giving us all hope that he isn’t as bad as we thought. Although, all it takes is one stupid slip up to have him dash our hopes against the rocks. Mirante has been solid in goal all season, for the most part.

Farewell Party vs. Blucerchiato Three Party: Palermo. The same can be said about Palermo’s defense as was said about Agliardi. The back line has been showing better signs as of late. You’d have to expect the troops to be rallied at the back in front of the home fans for one last time this season. I expect a strong, motivated performance from the defense…although, half of them are leaving the team after the remaining two games. So, hopefully, they’ll want to leave a final good impression for us. Except Barzagli. He’s like the Luca Toni of our backline…without the skill. Good riddance.

Keep the Turd on the Bench! vs. 5-Headed Monster: Push. Hey, if we can keep Guana on the bench, I’m liking our midfield. But you never know…he somehow finds his way onto the pitch. I swear, he must have some blackmail on the club so that they HAVE to play him every game otherwise he’ll release this “information” to the public. How else can you explain his appearance in 30 games this season (would’ve been more if he hadn’t been injured or suspended)? Samp’s midfield has been pretty darn good this season and the results have proved it. The big question, though, is: are they up for this meaningless game? If not, expect Palermo to take advantage.

Il Vero Capitano vs. “I am a freaking maniac who should be kept away from women and children…and my own self”: Palermo. Come on. You really think that Sampdoria is going to have the edge in this category over a determined Amauri who will possibly be wearing the captain’s band?! Besides, the Psychopath otherwise known as Cassano will find something to freak out about even if this is a meaningless game for his side.

Final Analysis

Palermo still has something to play for. Sampdoria does not. Amauri wants to give Palermo and their fans one last chance to celebrate at home this year. The rest of the squad would very much like to do the same thing (well, except for Barzagli…he’s already day-dreaming about trying on that hideous purple jacket Prandelli wears every once in awhile. What he doesn’t realize, though, is that he’ll be teammates with Zaccardo again in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg!). I expect this team to play with grit and determination, and the result at the end of the game will give us another 3 points and keep our Intertoto “dreams” alive.

Form Guide

Palermo
06/04 Palermo-Juventus 3-2 W
12/04 Palermo-Catania 1-0 W
19/04 Fiorentina-Palermo 1-0 L
27/04 Palermo-Atalanta 0-0 D
04/05 Lazio-Palermo 1-2 W

Sampdoria
06/04 Sampdoria-Livorno 2-0 W
13/04 Reggina-Sampdoria 1-0 L
20/04 Sampdoria-Udinese 3-0 W
27/04 Fiorentina-Sampdoria 2-2 D
04/05 Sampdoria-Roma 0-3 L

Prediction

2-1. Amauri, Bellucci, Amauri.

MOTM

Amauri.

Co-MOTM?

Steven – hey, it’s his birthday on Sunday. The least Palermo can do is give him a win!

FORZA PALERMO!