After four months, fifteen matches, nine goals for and twenty-two goals against, Palermo finally returned to the win column thanks to their 2-0 victory over Roma on Saturday. A match that looked like a near certain loss on paper turned into three points for the Rosanero, and reopened their battle against relegation with eight matches remaining.
The Rosanero looked like a rejuvenated side in Giuseppe Sannino’s second match since being recalled as Palermo’s coach. The progress shown in the defeat to AC Milan two weeks ago continued as Palermo looked like a side that were anything but resigned to playing Serie B football next season.
Fiery, ferocious, and fully committed are words that accurately describes the sides performance against an in-form Roma who entered the match as winners of four of their last five. Most people had pegged the Giallorossi as certain victors given that Palermo last registered a victory back in November 2012. However, Aurelio Andreazzolli’s men struggled to cope with the tag of favourites as they were unable to match Palermo’s desire and played their most disappointing match since the sacking of Zdenek Zeman.
While the entire Palermo side deserve to be complimented for their display, it was the performance of the side’s two biggest names that grabbed the headlines: Fabrizio Miccoli and Josip Ilicic. Along with scoring both goals, the duo lead the team thanks to their undeniable class that reminded fans the type of players they are when they are on form, along with asking where that form has been for the majority of the season.
Fabrizio Miccoli has finally awoken for Palermo after months of hibernation. However, will it be too little too late for their season?
I wrote in an earlier club focus that Palermo needed their captain to lead the ranks if they were to have any chance of avoiding relegation. While Sunday’s performance was just one game, it was a great launching point for the Rosanero to begin their fightback as Miccoli was at his influential best.
An assist on Ilicic’s strike along with a typical well taken finish reminded Palermo fans just what they have been missing this season. It isn’t surprising that before Saturday’s goal, the last time Miccoli scored was back in November against Catania. Coincidentally (or not), that was the last time Palermo won a match in the Serie A.
With Miccoli’s future at the Rosanero looking like it is directly tied to the club’s future in the Serie A, the ideal situation would see the 33-year-old lead the side to a great finish, remain in the Serie A, and subsequently sign an extension. While that scenario still has to play out, it was a welcome sight to see Miccoli contributing in fine fashion, even if it was only for 52 minutes as he was subbed off for Paulo Dybala.
While Miccoli and Ilicic were standout performers, a special mention must be made for Stefano Sorrentino who was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet against the likes of Erik Lamela, Francesco Totti, Pablo Osvaldo and the rest of the Roma attack. Sorrentino made numerous saves to stop the Giallorossi, and his experience and leadership skills were noted in the Rosanero backline as they delivered one of their more complete performances of the season.
The Rosanero travel to Genova on Sunday to take on Sampdoria in what will be a difficult away match for the Sicilians. While their win over Roma was a great result, beating Sampdoria away from the Renzo Barbera may be an even greater accomplishment as the Rosanero are the only team yet to win an away match this season.
Palermo left Sampdoria and Angelo Palombo in tears two years ago. The Blucerchiati will look to return the favour this Sunday.
While Sampdoria don’t have much to play for, a win will all but seal their stay in the Serie A for next season so it would be wrong to say they have nothing left to play for. However, the Blucerchiati do not have to look too far back in the history books to find the necessary motivation to defeat Palermo.
May 15th, 2011 saw Sampdoria mathematically relegated after a 2-1 home defeat against Palermo. The final dagger in what was a difficult season for the Genova side as they went from nearly qualifying for the Champions League group stage, to seeing stars Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini leaving in January before the ultimate humiliation of being relegated.
A lot has changed since that match, as Sampdoria have taken over the mantal of upstarts in the Serie A thanks to their multitude of youthful starlets while Palermo are wallowing in the relegation spots. While the Blucerchiati will not have the chance to mathematically condemn Palermo to relegation, it will no doubt put a severe dent into the Rosanero’s renewed hopes. Angelo Palombo was famously seen crying after that defeat two years ago, showing his heartfelt emotions after seeing his side sent down. Sunday will be his chance to exact revenge as he looks to leave Palermo and their fans in tatters and tears.
Follow Adriano Boin on Twitter: @Boin44
