The dominant force that is Palermo continued to steamroll through opposition as they defeated Inter by a 1-0 scoreline last Sunday.
Now, calling the Sicilian side a dominant force may be a bit premature, but given their form over the month of April, it may not far off after all.
After going months without a victory the Rosanero went undefeated throughout the month of April, collecting two draws and two victories to extend their unbeaten run to five matches. The run could not have come at a better time as for the first time since Week 17, the Sicilian club now sit outside the bottom three positions. The positions that would signal relegation.
Several factors have contributed to the Rosanero’s run of points, but the biggest factor has been the return of Giuseppe Sannino. Yes, the coach that started the season behind the bench has returned and it is no coincidence that the club’s fortunes have changed for the better. Since his return Palermo have averaged 1.8 points per match, which spread out over a 38 game season, would result in a 68 point season. Wishful thinking given the reality of the club’s current situation, but a testament to the great work being done by the 55-year-old.
With his early season sacking behind him, Giuseppe Sannino has returned to Palermo determined to keep the Rosanero from dropping to the lower leagues under his watch.
Tactically, Sannino has not altered much. Like his predecessors before him (Gian Piero Gasperini and Alberto Malesani), Sannino has stuck with the 3-5-2 that has been a staple for the Rosanero this season. The player personnel has not changed either, as the plethora of January signings have been relegated to the bench with the ‘old’ guard being heavily relied on.
That same old guard that looked destined for relegation after going winless in sixteen matches and was viewed by most as lacking the necessary talent to remain in the top flight. I was one of those calling for wholesale changes and felt that the January window would cure some of the ills that had afflicted the Rosanero.
How wrong I was.
To Sannino’s credit, he hasn’t changed the club’s fortunes using a downloaded Football Manager tactic or a sprinkling of fairy dust. The fiery coach has instilled his greatest attributes into the team and they have taken them to heart. Determined, fiery and unrelenting are some of the ways to describe Palermo’s recent performances as Sannino has transformed them for a squad resigned to relegation to a team ready to fight for every blade of grass on the pitch.
President Maurizio Zamparini has already stated that regardless of how things play out this season, Sannnino will be kept on as coach of the team through the summer. I say through the summer because there is no way of knowing what Zamparini will do next, but I can only hope that he won’t waver from his affirmation. Sannino has shown that he has the right temperament and tactical astuteness to handle the responsibilities of being Palermo coach. His work over the past month has improved the humour of fans everywhere, while also leaving them to wonder what might have been had he not gotten sacked only three matches into the season. C’est la vie with Zamparini I suppose…
This Sunday, the Rosanero travel to Turin to take on Juventus in a match that could see the Bianconeri seal their second consecutive Scudetto by picking up a point. Palermo enter the match as heavy underdogs and any points earned at the Juventus Stadium will be gravy, especially when you look at Sannino’s record against Antonio Conte, who will be his counterpart this Sunday.
Palermo will be looking to channel their best Owen Wilson/Vince Vaughan impersonations as they try to crash Juventus’ party on Sunday afternoon.
The two coaches have met on four occasions, with Conte holding the advantage with two victories compared to Sannino’s one, with a draw sprinkled in between. The small sample size doesn’t point to a heavy advantage in Conte’s favour, but it should be noted that Sannino’s teams have only mustered one goal in those matches. Given the difference in talent between the two sides, it would come as no surprise if that trend were to continue.
However, Palermo have been resilient over the past month, taking victories from more acclaimed opponents like Roma and Inter. Proof that matches are not won paper, but on the pitch where heart and determination can overcome technical deficiencies as Sannino and his Rosanero troop have continued to show as they continue to plow forward in their race to avoid relegation.
Follow Adriano Boin on Twitter: @Boin44
