Preview: The Sacking of Ranieri

By: Steven | October 1st, 2008

Sunday, October 5th, 2008 15.00
Stadio Olimpico, Torino

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

Overview

It’s time to put an end to the celebrations after the Reggina game. Giornata six, big test number three. If half of your games after six games count as a big test, you should be happy with ten or twelve points. Test number one was passed succesfully after whooping those giallorossi wolftitsuckers, but we failed test two against Napoli. Sunday, it’ll be the biggest test until now. We will be paying a visit to Penitentiary FC in their Lega Pro-stadium. Do you guys remember our last trip to the black-and-white side of Turin? I certainly do, as it was the biggest disgrace I ever had to endure as a Palermo-fan. It also (for the first time) sealed the faith of Stefano Colantuono. So why not return the favor this year?

Let’s face it: Juve 2008 isn’t Juve 2007. They drew Samp and Catania, and barely saved a point in Belarus against BATE. No Très-e-gay, no Gigi, no consistency. This is the moment boys, the moment to shut up every single one of those 1.248 Juventini in the Olimpico. And yes, I know, we already had our revenge for last year’s can of whoopass, but I wouldn’t mind a second serving.

Squad Status

Palermo

Again:I don’t see many changes happening in the line-up. Everything looked pretty good against Reggina, so why change a winning team? The only thing I (and you) would change, is Liverani. But I think we all know it’s not happening. I think he has somekind of sketchy deal with Zampa.

Guana (yes!), Budan and Bresciano are out for the game, which means:

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

Juventus

Amauri + 10 other guys. Go visit the Juventus Offside.

Probable Lineup:
Manninger; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Camoranesi, Poulsen, Sissoko, Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero

Categorical Matchup

Caesar vs. Mini-Gigi: Palermo. Normally I’d give Manninger the same chances, but he doesn’t really look as good as at Siena last year. The two goals against BATE might have shaken him up a little.

Bash Brothers vs. Shit, There’s Talent: Push. Moris and Bovo are one of the hottest defensive pairs of the moment, but Juve’s got The Schnozz and De Ceglie. Equal odds.

Still The Arab! vs. Mayhem: Juventus. Come on, the Juve-midfield is a class apart guys. Even with Nocerino and Miggy on the field.

Still Not Convinced vs. Hero: Juve. Mighty Mouse is kicking ass, but without Cavani scoring any goals, things might get fucked up. Del Piero shows glimpses of class, while Amauri looks even more like a beast than last year.

Final Analysis

Juventus isn’t in the best of shapes right now, and that might be our chance. I expect the guys to know that beating Juve means that we leave them behind, and that we can count ourselves among the big boys in Serie A. At least for one week, that is. I just hope that Liverani plays his first good match of the season, that Cavani finds the net and that Amauri will remember the good times he had when he was still ‘Our Boy’. As said before: I wouldn’t mind seeing him score twice, just as long as Micco makes it one more.

Form Guide

Palermo
LWWLW

Juventus
DWWDD

Past Encounters

06/04/2008 Palermo Juventus 3-2 Serie A
25/11/2007 Juventus Palermo 5-0 Serie A
07/05/2006 Juventus Palermo 2-1 Serie A
07/01/2006 Palermo Juventus 1-2 Serie A
05/02/2005 Palermo Juventus 1-0 Serie A
25/09/2004 Juventus Palermo 1-1 Serie A

Prediction

I’m not aiming for a win, but a tie would be a fantastic result as well.

1-1. Miccoli, Amauri.

MOTM

Mighty Mouse.

Remembering the good times