Preview: Ciccio Returns To La Favorità

By: Steven | September 26th, 2008

Sunday, September 28th, 2008 15.00
Stadio La Favorità, Palermo

Palermo Boys, we are here. We beat your women and drink their beer, Palermo Boys, we are here.

Overview

We suffered a small setback. Let’s just call the result of the Napoli-game that way, and there’s no need to get scared for a big setback. Napoli is one of the most promising sides in European football these days, and we came close to drawing them. Reggina, on the other hand, blows. I’ve always had a slight form of sympathy for the Amaranto (maybe because they’re Southern folk too, maybe because we never had a reason to be scared of them), but there’s no way you can deny the fact that the Reggio Calabria-team is doomed. An unproven coach, a terrible squad and a 1/12. These days, Nevio Orlandi’s job is as secure as fucking Liverani’s sister with a condom with 3 holes in it. It’s got written ‘Disaster!’ all over it.

So, what does this mean for us? That things might get dangerous. Reggina clearly is a wounded animal, and we don’t do well against wounded animals. On the other hand, this team is so weak that acting like a wounded animal probably means clawing three times before shitting themselves and getting run over by a big, pink-and-black truck.

Squad Status

Palermo

I don’t see many changes happening in the line-up. Apart from the little Bovo-slip up, the defense looked pretty decent. Miccoli survived, and will be pairing up with Cavani once more. Only options, since Budan is still out. The midfield scares me a little. Bresciano was bad against Napoli, Liverani acquired Eccelenza-level. Nocerino and Simplicio won’t be able to undo all the errors of our two players from the Southern Hemisphere, so I would love to see this:

Lanzafame - Nocerino - Simplicio - Ciaramitaro

It’s a wild guess to play two wingers who haven’t been there all season, but it sure can’t be worse than last week. But, as we all know by know, it’s not gonna happen.

Probable Lineup:
Amelia; Cassani, Carrozzieri, Bovo, Balzaretti; Nocerino, Liverani, Bresciano; Simplicio; Cavani, Miccoli

Reggina

As our Reggina Offside is pretty much dead, I’ll do the honours. This team sucks. Just look at the facts, and the line-up. Barreto and Vigiani are decent, and Brienza en Corradi may be dangerous. And that’s just about it.

Probable Lineup:
Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Cirillo, Santos; Vigiani, Barreto, Carmona, Hallfredsson, Costa; Brienza; Corradi

Categorical Matchup

Caesar vs. Baldy Butterfingers: Palermo. Marco is playing almost up to his level, whil Campagnolo must be without a doubt one of the worst keepers ever.

Bash Brothers vs. Who?: Palermo. Come on, apart from Cirillo, who of these guys do we even know? Without Aronica, this defense is fucked.

Please Not The Arab! vs. Mediocrity: Palermo. Even with Liverani and Sheila on the field, this may not be a problem. Just look at that midfield!

Still Not Convinced vs. The One Strength: Push. Good news: we have the second best attack in Serie A. Bad: it all depends on the Glass Man and a Uruguayan who has a 50% chance of playing a good game. Brienza and Corradi can be dangerous, so it’s up to Bovo and Moris to stop them in time.

Final Analysis

Only two things matter in this game: the result and the return of Ciccio. Seriously, I couldn’t care less if we played ugly football in this game. I just want to see a comfortable win against a team that hasn’t won a single game until now, and I want to see the tears in Ciccio’s eyes after the match when greeted by the tifosi.

Form Guide

Palermo
LWWL

Reggina
LXLL

Past Encounters

02/03/2008 Reggina Palermo 0-0 Serie A
07/10/2007 Palermo Reggina 1-1 Serie A
20/01/2007 Reggina Palermo 0-0 Serie A
10/09/2006 Palermo Reggina 4-3 Serie A
05/02/2006 Reggina Palermo 2-2 Serie A
21/09/2005 Palermo Reggina 1-0 Serie A
15/05/2005 Palermo Reggina 1-1 Serie A
06/01/2005 Reggina Palermo 1-0 Serie A

Prediction

We seem to be having a problem with Reggina. Ties, close wins…dangerous. But, this is in no way the team of the last two years, so winning this is a must.

2-0. Miccoli, Nocerino.

MOTM

Micco.

Remembering the good times