Palermo Season Preview 2014/15 – Guess who is back!

Date: 25th August 2014 at 9:10am
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Guess who’s back? Back again. Zamparini’s back! Tell a friend.

Palermo are back among Italy’s elite after a season in Serie B. After they were surprisingly relegated from Serie A in 2012-13, the Rosanero have bounced right back and won the Serie B title by finishing 14 points ahead of second-place Empoli.

Giuseppe Iachini replaced Gennaro Gattuso in September 2013 after the former Italy hero lost three of his first six league matches and got the axe from president Maurizio Zamparini. Palermo were the second-best goalscorers in Serie B with 62 goals in 42 matches and allowed in 28 goals which was less than anyone else in the Cadetti.

Stefano Sorrentino played regularly in between the sticks, and when he did not play, Albanian international Samir Ujkani took his place. Ezequiel Munoz and Sinisa Andelkovic were pillars in defence and Kyle Lafferty and Abel Hernandez provided the goalscoring impetus required.

Although there were strikers of international experience on the roster, Iachini could also turn to youngsters Paulo Dybala and Andrea Belotti for some spark in attack.

The Rosanero has not played any big teams during the pre-season so far and they have faced lower division sides as well as teams from the Middle East. They had a shock 1-0 defeat to UAE side Al-Ahli but they bounced back a few days later with a 4-0 win against Qatari side Al-Khor.

As part of their campaign to attract more members for the 2014-15 season, Palermo have taken inspiration from the “Keep Calm” posters and have printed “Keep Calm and Tutti Al Barbera (Everybody at the Stadio Renzo Barbera)” on their jerseys.

Transfers

Palermo’s major signings have been central midfielders such as Luca Rigoni from Chievo, Swedish international Robin Quaison from AIK and Bulgarian youngster Ivaylo Chochev from CSKA Sofia. Rigoni is an experienced ball winner whereas the two youngsters from overseas possess more creativity.

The Rosanero have been searching for defenders in the transfer market but the only notable signing made has been Moroccan international Zouhair Feddal, who is owned by Parma and went on loan to Siena last season.

Northern Irish striker Kyle Lafferty has been sold to English club Norwich City because of his apparent womanising. Slovenian midfielder Armin Bacinovic had his contract terminated by mutual consent and he will stay in Serie B with Virtus Lanciano. Goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano has been loaned out again, this time he has moved to Sampdoria.

giuseppe iachini palermoThe Coach – Giuseppe Iachini

Giuseppe Iachini replaced Gattuso in September last year and he had a proven track record in Serie having lead Chievo, Brescia and Sampdoria to Serie A promotion.

Iachini’s team is likely to line-up in the 3-5-2 formation this season but implementation of the 4-3-1-2 formation is possible. Last season he turned Palermo into a hard-working unit that was tight in defence and possessed enough firepower in attack to provide the goals and this season not be much different.

Season Expectations

In their latest Serie A stint, Palermo were a team that would either qualify for the Europa League or finish mid-table. This squad at the moment does not look like a squad strong enough to finish in the top half. Iachini’s Palermo won’t beat easy to beat but they won’t be expected to keep possession like fellow provincial sides Cagliari and Sassuolo.

Palermo currently lacks defenders and wing-backs that are good enough for a Top 10 finish. The Rosanero look set to bring in Brazilian left-back Emerson from Santos and Serbian centre-back Vojislav Stankovic from Partizan Belgrade though. Zamparini will also need to hold onto Sorrentino and Hernandez, who have been linked with moves away from Sicily.

In addition to the new signings, Palermo have midfielders like Edgar Barreto, Enzo Maresca and Francesco Bolzoni in their team and despite Lafferty’s departure, the attack is not weak. Expect either Dybala or Belotti to make their breakthrough in Serie A this season.

It would not be right if we did not mention Zamparini’s erratic nature and at 73-years-old he is unlikely to change his ways. If Palermo win convincingly, he will probably say that his players are amazing and that Iachini is an incredible coach. If the Rosanero lose poorly, he will probably say that Iachini and his players are hopeless.

Prediction

It is the question that does not really have to be asked: Will Iachini last the season? It is doubtful and the roster is weaker than in previous seasons. As things stand, the team looks like a relegation contender but the midfield and attack are promising. With more quality in defence and in wide positions, the Rosanero should climb-up the table.

Where will they finish? Avoiding relegation, but only just. 17th.

Follow Vito Doria on Twitter: @VitoCDoria

 

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