Palermo ran out as narrow 1-0 winners as they hosted Chievo at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Serie A on Wednesday evening.
Luca Rigoni got what proved to be the only goal of the game as the Rosanero climb to 15th in the table with these three points.
Chievo had started the game brightly but faded as it wore on and Rigoni secured what were a deserved three points for the hosts with just over ten minutes left to play.
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Palermo
Stefano Sorrentino – 7.5 – Safe
Although his side dominated the second half, Sorrentino had a fair bit of work to do tonight and he never looked like conceding. Made a few simple saves, anticipated a pass brilliantly and acted as sweeper to deny Ezequiel Schelotto a chance to score. Denied Valter Birsa with a good save to palm away the Slovenian’s 20-yard volley.
Ezequiel Munoz – 5 – Quiet
Never really threatened by anyone other than a lonely Maxi Lopez.
Giancarlo Gonzalez – 5.5 – Reassuring
Without having too much to do he looked more composed than his defensive partners when keeping Chievo at bay.
Sinisa Andelkovic – 5.5 – Lucky
Quiet throughout the game until the latter stages. Could well have been adjudged to have fouled Pellissier in the last minute to award the visitors a penalty and chance to draw the game. Luckily, the decision was not given.
Michel Morganella – 6 – Stable
Provided defensive cover on the right but never showed any real ambition to join in with attacking moves.
Luca Rigoni – 7 – Winner
Battled in midfield throughout the game and put in an overall solid performance. Got the match winner with a strange, slide tackle effort which flew into the top corner with ten minutes to play.
Edgar Barreto – 6 – Involved
Played a part in the play which lifted the Rosanero. His header forced Bardi into action for the first real time and then lead to Dybala crashing his strike off the crossbar. Kept busy throughout the 90.
Achraf Lazaar – 6 – Engine
To use a well overused cliche, he put in a shift tonight. Covered almost every blade of grass and did some important tracking back to deny Valter Birsa a clear one-on-one run at Sorretino which kept the scores level.
Franco Vazquez – 6 – Spark
Technically good, one of the better performers on the night. Controlled the left side of the pitch well.
Paulo Dybala – 6.5 – Improved
Largely quiet in the first half but grew into the game as it progressed. Smashed the crossbar in the second half which lead to his side waking up and piling the pressure onto Chievo. Did well in the build up to Rigoni’s goal.
Andrea Belotti – 6 – Faded
Contrastingly to his strike partner, the young Italian started brightly but faded as the game wore on. Looked to cause problems in the first half but his contribution was overshadowed by Dybala in the second.
Substitutes
Francesco Bolzoni – No Rating
Emerson Palmieri – No Rating
Robin Quaison – No Rating
Chievo
Francesco Bardi – 5 – Thankful
Nothing he could have done to prevent the goal, but will be thankful to the referee for disallowing a perfectly fine Palermo goal which would have left him embarrassed.
Gennaro Sardo – 5.5 – Experience
Nothing major to write about, be it good or bad. Added an element of experience to the Chievo back line. Could have been a potential weak link but not targeted enough.
Nicolas Frey – 6 – Solid
Looked assured in defence. No errors to write about and looked untroubled throughout.
Dario Dainelli – 6 – Imposing
Muted a couple of Palermo attacks. Not threatened frequently enough.
Ervin Zukanovic – 5.5 – Unaware
Like his other defensive partners he wasn’t threatened to any real extent. Got in the way of a good chance for Dainelli.
Perparim Hetemaj – 5.5 – Average
Offered slightly more than his teammates but that is more of a criticism of them than praise for him.
Isaac Cofie – 5 – Exposed
Provided little cover to his defenders and was outplayed in the middle of the pitch. Luckily, Palermo lacked any real cutting edge and didn’t exploit this weakness.
Ezequiel Schelotto – 5.5 – Subdued
Largely anonymous for the most part of the game. Had a half hearted penalty appeal correctly turned down.
Valter Birsa – 5.5 – Present
Although clumsy and wasteful at times, the Slovenian international never ceased to give his all. Should have done better with a break but lacked strength to hold off Lazaar to go one-on-one and put his side in front.
Riccardo Meggiorini – 5 – Tired
Never looked a threat. Immobile and looked drained whenever in possession.
Maxi Lopez – 6.5 – Busy
Had a better first 45 than second, looked to come deep to get the ball but also caused problems for the Palermo back line with his movement. Shooting was tame but a good performance from the Argentine striker.
Substitutes
Cristiano Biraghi – 5.5 – Unimpressive
Second half replacement for Schelotto. Failed to impact the game, much like his predecessor.
Sergio Pellissier – No Rating
Alberto Paloschi – No Rating