Preview: Palermo – Cagliari

By: lorenzo | May 2nd, 2009

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: