A History Of Bad Goalkeeping

By: Steven | November 18th, 2009

If there has been one weak spot in our team in the last years, it’s most definitely the portiere. Why is it that guys who have proven their worth in the past suddenly look like U15-players when they come to Palermo? And why do we seem to change portiere every single season? Time for an overview…

Vincenzo Sicignano
‘93-’03
182 games

A legend, as he was the guy who got us through Serie C1 and B. But, if you look at it, he wasn’t all that good. During his 182 games in the pink, he let in 190 goals. That’s about one per game, which isn’t the best number possible. Especially when you know we were the best team of the competition three times in that period. Went on to play for Parma and become No. 1 at Lecce, and is now at Frosinone.

Nicola Santoni
‘02-’06
22 games

Was never able to become the undisputed number one, and conceded 33 goals in 22 games, a 1.5 average. Managed to stay at the club during the first years in A, but then had a mediocre spell at Spezia, before going to Bari as a number two to the untouchable JF Gillet. Retired last summer, only 30, after failing a medical at Ravenna.

Francesco Tarantino
?
?

I hardly remember him. Won the award for Best Portiere at Viareggio tournament once, and is now playing for Marsala in Eccelenza A Sicilia. Found his Facebook page…

Gianluca Berti
‘03-’04
42 games

Second coming of Berti, after a spell in the 90’s…conceded 35 goals in one season, which is not spectacular, but it makes him one of the only portieri who left Palermo with a positive ratio. Went on to play for a shitload of other clubs, and is now playing in Eccelenza.

Matteo Guardalben
‘04-’06
43 games

Started as number one, but was dropped after pressure from Zamparini to play Andujar. I always hated him because of his nonchalante way of playing, and his ugly hair. Was sent on loan to Parma, then sold to Vicenza. Is now at Sampdoria, but being there is the only thing he seems to be doing.

Mariano Andujar
‘05-’06
11 games

God, how I hate this guy. Only played 11 games in Serie A, but he managed to fuck up our entire UEFA Cup run. Fled with his tail between his legs to Estudiantes, before being picked up by Catania in the summer. Time for some payback…

Cristiano Lupatelli
‘06
5 games

Was picked up on loan from Fiorentina, and played five games. Conceding 10. Without a doubt the worst keeper we ever had. Went back to the Fiorentina bench, and is now keeping Marchetti’s seat warm at Cagliari.

That’s it for Part I, guys. Second part coming soon.