Palermo grabs the win after three fine Fontana saves; one to deny Tavano from the spot; (the old man still has the moves!) and one phenomenal piece of skill by Miccoli.  Livorno created little and had even less response when they went behind.  Overall three points for the Rosanero but not a great game at all.  

 

A fine Saturday afternoon in Sicily at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.  Mainly empty but the Ultras were there.  The atmosphere was tense as Palermo was still winless in 2008 as the game kicked off. 

 

Guidolin finally sees the light and alters his formation to give Amauri some help.  The 451 is replaced with a more attacking 352.  Fontana keeps goal behind a back three of Zaccardo, Barzagli and Biava.  Simplicio loses his place and the five man midfield sees a start for Cavani on the right, Guana, Migliaccio, Caserta and new signing Balzaretti on the left.  Amauri gets a partner in Miccoli up front. 

 

Camolese has to make do without all his squad to choose from so makes a few changes from the side that narrowly lost last week.  Defence in mind Amelia keeps goal behind a back three of Pavan, Knezevic and Galante.  Balleri, Vidigal, Pulzetti, Loviso and Pasquale string themselves out across the middle and up front Bogdani gets a start alongside Tavano. 

 

Palermo has the bulk of the possession in the first half, as befits the home side.  They really don't do that much with it. 

Cavani and Miccoli are the fulcrums around which the Rosanero attack and Amauri is a constant and willing runner. 

Cavani has the best chances but lacks a precise finish.  Miccoli delivers some nice dead balls but Livorno is equal to the task, Pavan doing well to make some key challenges and blocks in the first half. 

Vidigal has a chance for the visitors but fires wide.  Amauri has a few more chances than the Portuguese but the result is the same. 

The best chance of the first half is a Livorno one, good interplay between the two front men, Tavano chips the ball into the path of Bogdani who sees his powerful volley come off the firm hand of Fontana, a fine reaction save. 

Amauri's running and Amelia's mistake cause chaos in the Livorno area but Amelia manages to regain his composure and make a stop. 

Late in the half Livorno apply some pressure and Tavano forces a fine diving save from Fontana.  As injury time starts Zaccardo's arms come up to deflect a Livorno shot and Bergonzi points to the spot. 

Harsh, perhaps? 

Tavano measures his shot and is well read by Fontana; the veteran has to be quick to reach the ball but gets down well to parry the ball wide. 

 

 

Both sides come out as they went in. 

 

The goal chances and half chances of the first half don't materialize early in the second, a turgid first fifteen minutes sees little to delight the eye.  Plenty of mistakes; from both sides; a lack of imagination in attack from Palermo and no desire to go forward from Livorno are the mainstay.  The only bright spot is a sweet move from Palermo, Balzaretti plays the ball inside to Miccoli who measures a ball into the path of Zaccardo's cutting run from the left, the fullback's shot is powerful and his aim is just off. 

Substitutions from either side bring an element of excitement into the game.  This is mainly due to the confusion created in trying to identify which of the three shaven headed Palermo midfielders actually has the ball.

MIGLIACCIO


GUANA


BRESCIANO - AN OZZIE!

Palermo does apply pressure, more to keep the whistles from their fans quiet than any great desire or fire in the team. 

A series of corners and aimless balls into the well defended Livorno area finally comes good.  A corner kick comes in from the Livorno left and bounces around in front of the six yard box until it is hacked clear, Miccoli has been hanging back for just such an opportunity, his first touch takes the pace of the ball and drops it into the perfect spot for him to execute a blindingly fast turn, his whipped and powerful volley is low and true, despite the desperate hand that Amelia gets to the ball.  His delight is obvious and the tifosi roar!

MICCOLI : STUNNING GOAL

The goal changes nothing much for Livorno; stuck in defensive mode they trouble the home side little as the game winds down.  Palermo professionally slows the game down, drop like flies when challenged and retain possession.  Zaccardo and Amauri come close late on but the points were in the bag as soon as the first goal went in. 

 

Guidolin may be a 'dead man walking' but he still has half a season to re-impress the owner.  The move to a more attacking 352 paid dividends with the points if not the performance.  Balzaretti ran well up and down the left and provide a good outlet for the Rosanero.  Cavani impressed with his movement and vision, Miccoli bagged an important goal but Fontana came through with three great saves to keep a clean sheet.  A result that can allow Guidolin and Palermo to build for the trip to Torino next week. 

 

Livorno had their chances and was denied by Fontana.  Then they just shut down and played for a point.  A bad tactic which cost them the points.  Bogdani and Tavano were bright and dangerous; apart from the telegraphed penalty kick.  The team does defend well but need the flexibility to play more than a counter attacking game if they are to avoid a relegation dogfight.  Another poor showing against Genoa will see Livorno drop into trouble. 

 

Some referees wouldn't have given the penalty, some would.  In a game that lacked fire the referee did OK.  . 

 

 

Palermo:-

Fontana

Zaccardo

Barzagli

Biava

Cavani (Bresciano 63)

Guana

Migliaccio

Caserta

Balzaretti

Miccoli (Cassani 92)

Amauri

 

Goals:-

Miccoli 76

 

Bookings:-

 

 

Livorno:-

Amelia

Pavan

Knezevic

Galante

Balleri (Alvarez 80)

Vidigal

Pulzetti

Loviso (E Filippini 63)

Pasquale

Tavano

Bogdani (Rossini 77)

 

Bookings:-

Pavan

Loviso

Vidigal

 

Goals:-

 

Referee:-

Bergonzi

Pictures courtesy of IlPalermocalcio.it