Serie B 2013/14 Review – Week 34: The ‘other’ Derby Di Sicilia – Part Two

Date: 13th April 2014 at 10:21pm
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Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, Trapani will undoubtedly be able to look back upon their maiden Serie B campaign with a great deal of fondness.

Rarely in danger of being dragged into the relegation dogfight, the Sicilians have instead spent the majority of the season entertaining realistic hopes of securing back to back promotions, and also boast the division’s leading scorer in the guise of the prolific Matteo Mancosu.

If there is one disappointment to be gleaned from an otherwise enjoyable journey though, it is the lack of a derby victory over their more illustrious near neighbours and league leaders Palermo, with the upwardly mobile Rosanero following up November’s 3-0 win with another triumph this weekend.

More used to mixing it with Catania, Giuseppe Iachini’s side nevertheless took to their task against Trapani from the off, with Davide Di Gennaro stinging the palms of Emanuele Nordi with an early long range effort before Achraf Lazaar’s inviting cross from the left almost played in Paulo Dybala for the opener.

The same two players combined moments later following a neat passing movement, with Dybala expertly back-heeling the ball into the path Lazaar, whose badly miscued shot ended up bobbling over the line for a Trapani throw-in.

More one way traffic was to follow, and Trapani’s Christian Terlizzi was exceedingly fortunate to avoid turning into his own net having unwittingly deflected Lazaar’s powerful effort from the edge of the area inches wide of the post.

Salvatore Gambino meanwhile finally registered an effort for the hosts, but in a match in which they would fail to record a single effort on target, his strike from distance was characteristically wayward.

Palermo’s total dominance of proceedings continued into the second period, with only a last ditch intervention from Luca Pagliarulo preventing Eros Pisano from converting a certain opener for the Rosanero.

There was brief moment of concern however when Lazaar appeared to handle in the area, but Simone Basso’s effort was struck with such venom and at such close quarters that the decision to award a spot-kick would have been incredibly harsh on the visitors.

The winner, which arrived shortly after the hour mark, was a lesson in rapid fire, counter-attacking football, with Dybala bringing the ball away from his own area before sliding it into the path of Francesco Bolzoni on the half way line.

Kyle Lafferty - PalermoThe midfielder’s through-ball then found Lazaar, whose pinpoint first-time pass to Kyle Lafferty resulted in the Northern Irishman slamming an unstoppable effort beyond the reach of Nordi. An exquisite team effort worthy of winning any match, let alone a derby.

It was Lafferty’s tenth strike of an impressive campaign, and only the quick reflexes of Nordi prevented him from making it 11 soon after, smartly stopping the forwards low drive towards his near post.

Substitute Mario Pacilli came closest to snatching an equaliser for the hosts, but his long range effort sailed harmlessly wide of Stefano Sorrentino’s post, and the Rosanero held for what was a thoroughly deserved three points in spite of the narrow margin of victory.

Another three wins from the final eight matches will see Palermo confirm their Serie A return at the first attempt. Three defeats in a row meanwhile have threatened to derail Trapani’s own push for promotion, but they may yet have the chance to put one over Palermo at an even higher level next season.

Elsewhere, Empoli’s hopes of securing second place received a welcome boost with a 1-0 win over Ternana. The game’s only goal arrived ten minutes from time with Simone Verdi dancing through the Ternana defence before dinking the ball over Alberto Brignoli to give the Tuscan side a third straight victory at home.

Latina moved up to third with a second half rout of a hapless Novara, 4-1 the final score, while Cesena slipped to fourth having fallen to a 2-0 defeat at home to Spezia. Crotone stay fifth having been held to a goalless draw by Carpi, and are now just a point ahead of Siena who saw off a fading Virtus Lanciano 1-0.

Modena meanwhile moved back into the play-off places for the first time since November with a 4-2 win over Juve Stabia, with Avellino slipping to ninth on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Brescia.

Finally, Bari’s recent resurgence continued with a 1-0 win over Varese, Pescara were held to a 1-1 by Cittadella, and it finished 2-2 between relegation bound Padova and Reggina, a result that does  little for either side’s hopes of beating the drop.

 

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