To say that the last two matches have been a welcome turnaround would be putting it lightly. First, Palermo ended their 15 match winless streak by defeating Roma in a thoroughly impressive performance. However, they outdid themselves this past Sunday by defeating Sampdoria 3-1 to pick up their first away win of the season, and first win away from the Renzo Barbera in 19 away matches (last win over Bologna on April 1, 2012).
The architect of Sunday’s victory was undoubtedly Josip Ilicic, who continued his resurgence with a virtuoso performance that left every fan of the Rosanero drooling and in awe (along with wondering where has this been all season?). The Slovenian was all over the field, bossing the game like never before in his Palermo career which was capped off with a sparkling solo effort that gave the Rosanero the lead in the second half and ultimately helped them on their way to three crucial points.
After last week’s victory over Roma, I highlighted Ilicic’s performance as he had seemingly awoken from his extended slumber. After months of being overshadowed and complicit in the squad’s struggles, the Slovenian was reborn against the Giallorossi and put in his best performance of the season. Well, he outdid himself only a week later as he and Fabrizio Miccoli once again lead the attack and left the Sampdoria defence scrambling for respite. Every chance that Palermo created came off the foot of the 25-year-old who evoked memories of his sparkling debut season in 2010.
After being the forgotten man for much too long, Josip Ilicic has returned for Palermo when they’ve needed him the most. Will it be enough to avoid the drop?
While his overall performance was of the highest quality, it was undoubtedly capped off by his wonder goal in the 50th minute. Many have compared it to Diego Maradona’s famous 1986 goal against England where he cut through the English defence to score the ‘Goal of the Century’. It was similar, but I would hesitate to go as far as to say it was as good as Maradona’s goal.
While many will highlight the way in which Ilicic made the Sampdoria defenders look like pylons, perhaps the most impressive aspect of the goal was that the Slovenian finished off his effort with his right foot. For those that have watched Ilicic and know how he always looks to use his left, the fact he was able to keep his composure while having the confidence to use his less favoured foot speaks to his newfound confidence.
More important than his individual effort was the fact that his strike gave Palermo the lead at a very delicate time of the match. All too often this season Palermo have taken the lead, only to see their efforts wasted due to late equalizers or late game winning goals from the opposition. Instead, thanks in large part to Giuseppe Sannino’s efforts in rebuilding the squad’s psychology, the Rosanero did not disintegrate after Gianni Munari’s equalizer.
It galvanized the squad and made them hungrier for a result, which, even if the team is unable to avoid relegation, is what fans of the team have been wanting for most of the season. Win, lose, draw, safety or relegation, fans of the Rosanero finally have a team to be proud of. We can only hope that their arrival hasn’t come too late in the season.
While the atmosphere surrounding the club has drastically changed over the past two weeks, it would be a mistake for fans and players alike to be carried away by the euphoria. The squad’s recent success is certainly something to be pleased with, but Palermo’s work has only just begun. Now locked in a three-way tie with Genoa and Siena on 27 points, only one of these clubs will avoid the drop to Serie B.
Stefano Pioli returns to the Renzo Barbera on Sunday. Will he deliver a bitter blow to the club that dumped him before he even coached a match?
None of them have a particularly great fixture list from now until the end of the season, with Genoa perhaps holding the advantage in that category. However, as we have seen from our very own Rosanero, it isn’t so much about who the opponent is, but rather, the spirit with which each side takes the pitch. It will be a dogfight from now until the end of the season starting with this Sunday.
Bologna travel to the Renzo Barbera led by Rosanero cast-off Stefano Pioli, who was unceremoniously sacked before the 2011/12 season before coaching a game for the club. A win would all but lock up safety for Bologna along with exacting some revenge for the 47-year-old. It will be up to Sannino, Ilicic and the Rosanero fans to ensure that doesn’t take place, and lay down another marker in what is hopefully a miraculous run to avoid the drop to Serie B.
Follow Adriano Boin on Twitter: @Boin44
