Player Ratings: Hellas Verona 2-1 Palermo

Date: 15th September 2014 at 11:22pm
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Hellas Verona continued last seasons impressive home-form after they beat Palermo 2-1 at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on Monday night.

The visitors deservedly took the lead in the opening 20 minutes after Franco Vazquez tucked home a rebound from close range only for the Gialloblu to rally well and equalise on the stroke of half-time courtesy of a Luca Toni penalty.

The second-half was played at a frantic tempo and despite the Aquile’s constant threat on the counter-attack, it was the Veronese who took the points after a lapse in concentration in the Sicilian’s defence led to an own goal from Eros Pisano.

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Verona

Rafael – 6.5 – Character

Was unable to parry Bolzoni’s shot to safety which resulted in Palermo’s first goal however gave a resolute performance form then on. Denied Dybala on a couple of occasions, in particular getting down well to save a stinging drive in the second-half.

Alessandro Agostini – 5.5 – Average

Had to endure some nervy moments throughout the game. Distribution from the back was tidy and defended resolutely after Verona took the lead.

Vangelis Moras – 6.5 – Stalwart

Was the most solid of the Verona back three on the night. Re-organised the central three after his side went behind and provided a threat going forward from set pieces.

Rafael Marquez – 4.5 – Sluggish

Looked uncomfortable early on and was moved to occupy a central position in the Mastini’s back three. Was given a hard night by the effervescent Dybala and eventually resorted to fouling the Argentine.

Ivan Martic – 5 – Sloppy

Was involved in an early penalty appeal when he appeared to hold Daprela in a tussle that continued for most of the night. Was given a constant headache by the movement of Dybala.

Emil Halfredsson – 5 – Indifferent

Was often involved at the heart of the midfield. Threatened to provide creativity that his side were often missing but his profligacy in possession was symptomatic of Verona’s ball retention.

Panagiotis Tachtsidis – 6 – Unpredictable

Provided the occasional spark from midfield with a driving run but lapses in concentration saw him waste possession on a few too many occasions. Provided a inventive assist for the Mastini’s winner.

Mounir Obbadi – 5.5 – Hustler

Provided energy in the midfield and won the ball back for the home side on a number of occasions. Made himself a nuisance in the central areas but was sloppy in possession.

Juanito Gomez – 6 – Redemption

Missed a golden opportunity to draw Hellas level in the first-half after he slashed a volley over the bar when it would have been wiser to square the ball to Luca Toni. Redeemed himself in the second-half after helped smuggled the ball home after some dismal Palermo defending.

Luca Toni – 6.5 – Wily

Was caught offside on numerous occasions in the first-half and looked a frustrated figure until he converted his penalty. Should of had a chance to score a second from the spot after he out ran someone for the first time in his career and had his ankles clipped baring down on goal.

Lazaros Christodoulopoulos – 5 – Erratic 

Offered a sporadic threat courtesy of his delivery from set pieces. Drifted in and out of the game, struggled to make any meaningful impact in the second-half and was replaced just after the hour mark.

Substitutes

Nico Lopez – 6 – Impactful

Rejuvinated the Verona front-line when he came on, carried the ball well troubling the Palermo defence and should have finished the game off when he went through on goal late on.

Gustavo Campanharo – 5 – Dependable

Replaced Halfredsson with 15 minutes to go and did what he had to sure up the Hellas midfield.

Rafael Marques – N/A

Came on in the last ten minutes to close out the game.

Palermo 

Stefano Sorrentino – 4.5 – Calamitous

Could do little to prevent the penalty. Disastrous lack of concentration led to a break down in communication between himself and Pisano which gifted Hellas their winning goal.

Zouhair Feddal – 5 – Uneasy

Started positively however like much of the Palermo defence his night worsened as the game progressed.

Fabio Daprela – 6 – Threat

Was a menace down the Sicilian’s left and delivered some dangerous crosses. Arguably could have earned his side a penalty in the first-half after he was man-handled by Martic.

Claudio Terzi – 6 – Resolute

Arguably the best performer in what was a nervy back four. Defended well from corners and his positioning allowed him to snuff out some dangerous Verona attacks.

Sinisa Andelkovic – 4 – Naive 

Gave a way a ridiculous penalty with five minutes remaining in the first-half when he almost ripped Luca Toni’s shirt off from a corner and his lapse in concentration also contributed to Verona’s winner.

Eros Pisano – 5 – Regretful

Marauded forward in the first-half and offered a constant outlet down the right. Provided the cross for Vazquez’s goal however a horrible mix up in second half between him and Sorrentino culminated in him bundling the ball into his own net.

Francesco Bolzoni – 4.5 – Ineffective

Extremely lucky not to give away a penalty and be dismissed in the second-half after clumsily clipping the heels of Toni when the Italian veteran was through on goal. Perhaps the most ineffective of the Rosanero midfielders on the night and  was replaced with 20 minutes remaining

Luca Rigoni – 6 – Solid

Was an anchor at the base of the Sicilians midfield. Worked well with Baretto and was smart in possession.

Edgar Barreto – 6.5 – Composed

Was the man who made the Sicilian’s midfield tick, composed on the ball and played some incisive passes into Palermo’s front men. Came close with a free-kick in the first-half and was denied by the feet of Rafael in the second.

Franco Vazquez – 6 – Productive

Scored his first goal in Serie A after he pounced upon a rebound from close range. At times showed glimpses of linking well with Dybala however was required to chip in a lot more defensively as the Gialloblu took control of the game.

Paulo Dybala – 7.5  – Live Wire

Slight, nimble and fleet of foot. He was a thorn in the Scaligeri defence as he took up some intelligent positions in-between the lines. He cut an isolated figure at times however his change of pace and ability to run with the ball meant he was a constant threat. Performance merited a goal and was man of the match.

Substitutes 

Andrea Belotti – 6 – Promising

Got a rude introduction to the game following a heavy collision but almost scored a spectacular volley after the ball dropped over his shoulder.

Simon Makienok – N/A

Was brought on in the dying embers as Palermo were chasing the game.

Granddi N’goyi – N/A

Also came on with just minutes remaining as the game got away from the Sicilians.

Follow Luca Hodges-Ramon on twitter – @LH_Ramon25

 

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