Preview: Atalanta – Palermo

By: Steven | May 24th, 2009

Sunday, May 24th, 2009 15.00
Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia

I warriors, brigate rosanero, siamo forti e vinceremo!

Preview

So this is it. The last two games of the season, where everything we worked for this season is won or lost. Two games to make up 2 points to Roma, two games against opponents that have nothing left to lose and nothing left to win, but will still want to finish the season with wins.

Both teams are clearly going trough a small crisis. Atalanta lost Vieri and is losing Del Neri this summer, while Palermo is having injury problems and a president who seems to have lost every single sign of sanity.

Atalanta may be a though nut to crack (remember throwing away a 2-0 lead in the andata?), but with Riomma facing a Milan that is still in need of points, this is our chance. But, we have to bear in mind that we still have a horrendous record on the road, while 10 of the Orobici’s 13 wins came at home.

Squad Status

Palermo

Also known as “crap”. Benchwarmers Nonno and Levan are out, but the big shit is located elwewhere. Liverani might be gone for no less than four months, so Nocerino will really have to step it up. Kjaer is suspended, so Miggy might be pulled back to the backline. We will probably see a Goblin-appearance as well…mamma mia…oh yeah, and Cavani’s out as well. Who will we see? Hernandez or The Succi?

Probable Lineup:
Amelia; Cassani, Migliaccio, Bovo, Balzaretti; Guana, Nocerino, Bresciano; Simplicio; Succi, Miccoli

Atalanta

Atalanta has about the same problems we have. Garics, Valdez, Floccari, De Ascentis and Ferreira Pinto are all out with injuries, so both teams are fielding a B-squad.

Probable Lineup: Consigli; Capelli, Talamonti, Manfredini, Bellini; Defendi, Cigarini, Guarente, Padoin; Doni, Plasmati

Categorical Matchup

Future No. 1 vs. Future No. 1: Palermo. Consigli’s a huge talent, but he still has some work to do before reaching Amelia’s position.

Palermo 2009 vs. Palermo 2010: Push. Without Kjaer and Moris, we have the same crappy backline as at the start of the season.

Back-up vs. Back-up: Push. Our playmaker’s out, and I doubt that someone will step up to take over his tasks in the last two games of the season.

Micco’s Magic vs. Doni’s Drought Palermo. With our wonderkid out, all the pressure’s on Mighty Mouse and his insufficient sidekick. That goes for both Succi and Hernandez.

Final Analysis

This is going to be a terrible game to watch. Not only because Atalanta’s going to want to do good at home, but also because these are two teams filled with B-stars. Expect a lot of defensive errors, cards, awful howlers and terrible passes.

Form Guide

Palermo
WLWLW

Siena
LWLDD

Prediction
1-2. Doni, Micco, Hernandez.

MOTM:

Miccoli

Remembering the Good Times