Palermo fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Lazio on Monday evening at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
The home side were on the front foot for much of the match, but some outstanding finishing from Bosnian striker Filip Djordjevic saw the Lazio man net a hat-trick and make Palermo rue their wastefulness in the first half.
An injury time goal from Marco Parolo rubbed salt into the wound for the Rosanero, who continue to struggle on their return to Serie A.
Palermo
Stefano Sorrentino – 6 – Helpless
A fantastic double save in the second half from Djordjevic and then Parolo was the highlight for Palermo’s goalkeeper, but he could have done better with the first goal. Overall, helpless to some emphatic finishing.
Claudio Terzi – 4.5 – Floundering
Completely sold by Djordjevic’s goal for the Bosnian’s second of the night and then misjudged the bounce of the ball to let in the Lazio striker for his hat-trick.
Sinisa Andjelkovic -5 .5 – Rocky
Wasn’t found out as obviously as his defensive partner, but failed to shut down the Lazio threat as it grew in the second half.
Zouhair Feddal – 5 – Indecisive
Along with Lazaar, failed to shut down the threat on the right flank and also missed an absolute sitter in the second half, despite protesting that Mauri had pushed him in the back.
Michel Morganella – 6 – Ambitious
A positive force down the right flank, causing some problems to the likes of Mauri and Braafheid.
Luca Rigoni – 5.5 – Solid
Kept play ticking over without ever truly stamping his authority over the midfield area in the way his team need him to.
Edgar Barreto – 7 – Positive
Drove his team forward and created a number of chances. Barreto’s positive midfield play was the driving force behind Palermo’s long dominance in the match.
Achraf Lazaar – 6 – Inconspicuous
Failed to make any real impact on the game and it was from down his flank that Candreva provided the assist for Lazio’s opener.
Franco Vazquez – 6.5 – Skillful
Made an impressive break in the first half when he waltzed past the Lazio defence to drive a shot wide, but faded out of the match as the visitors began to get a foothold.
Andrea Belotti – 6.5 – Bullied
Full of energy and positive movement but unable to cope with the heavy-handed marking of the Lazio defenders.
Paulo Dybala – 7 – Lively
Made some good runs throughout including one from which he drew a great save from Marchetti when one on one.
Substitutes
Emerson – 4.5 – Forgettable
Didn’t make any particular impact on the game apart from being part of a defence which conceded three in just over half an hour.
Simon Makienok – n/a
Robin Quaison – n/a
Lazio
Federico Marchetti – 6.5 – Confident
Started to show some of his old class with a great save when one on one with Dybala in the first half and otherwise dealt comfortably with the danger of Palermo’s forwards.
Luis Cavanda – 6 – Bright
Plenty of endeavour shown by the full back when shuttling up and down the flank, although he is still prone to being caught out defensively.
Lorik Cana – 6.5 – Strong
The Albanian international was very forceful in his marking of Belotti and restricted the danger posed by Palermo’s dangerman.
Stefan De Vrij – 5.5 – Nervous
Still looking rather uncomfortable in a Lazio shirt, the defender was embarrassed by Vazquez in the first half but shored up later on in the match.
Edson Braafheid – 5 – Struggling
Lazio’s left back had a difficult evening both defensively and when on the ball, before leaving early due to injury.
Marco Parolo – 6.5 – Composed
A mature performance from the Italian international was rewarded with a fine goal that he made out of almost nothing.
Eddy Onazi – 6 – Dependable
Took a while to grow into the game and cope with the threat of Vazquez, but began to look more composed and drive forward with more assurance in the second half.
Antonio Candreva – 6.5 – Effective
Not quite his usual self and didn’t truly manage to make his presence felt before being substituted in the second half. Did however do the damage by creating Djordjevic’s opening goal.
Stefano Mauri – 5.5 – Frustrating
Failed to make an impact on the game or dictate play in the way he likes and was replaced in the second half.
Senad Lulic – 5.5 – Quiet
On the whole a bit too quiet and wasteful when on the ball. Occasionally made good bursts forward though and played a good assist for the second goal.
Filip Djordjevic – 8 – Emphatic
The undoubted man of the match, he announced his arrival at the club properly with an emphatic hat-trick. The last two goals particularly were exquisite and of the kind only a natural goalscorer can produce.
Substitutes
Felipe Anderson – 7 – Incisive
Caused problems for the home defence with his pace and trickery, getting behind them a couple of times and proving to be a thorn in the side.
Michael Ciani – n/a
Cristian Ledesma – n/a
