Italian Serie A preview: US Palermo – AS Roma
Rosanero ambitions intact
Mauro Zamparini’s side are having a rather impressive season this time around and stand seventh in the league – just a point behind AS Roma. Aquile have had their bad moments this year, especially in the Europa League, but have recovered well having recorded
three victories in their last four games.
With Javier Pastore and Josep Ilicic in divine form, the club will be hopeful of a victory at home. Keeping in mind the fact the Rosanero have already negotiated the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus FC and AC Milan, the next run of games would be easier should
Delio Rossi’s men maintain their focus, the club will be propelled to touching distance of Champions League football.
Lazio, Milan and Juventus have all stuttered this weekend thus providing Delio Rossi with an ideal opportunity to close the gap at the top.
Gilarossi steaming forward
If we have learned one thing from Serie A in the seasons past, that is ‘Never write Roma off’. The capital based club has made a habit out of struggling early on, fooling the opponents only to bounce back with a roar.
This season was no different as Gilarossi struggled badly early on in the season only to hit a purple patch. Caludio Ranieri’s men have gone undefeated in seven league games, their last defeat coming on match day six at the hands of SSC Napoli. As things
stand, Roma are sixth in the league with 22 points and a victory tonight will propel Gilarossi into third place –where they truly belong in the first place – and just five points off league leaders AC Milan.
Not even the most ardent of Gilarossi faithful would have predicted such a fight back. Roma’s 3 – 2 comeback victory in midweek was their best team performance of the season so far and confident will be sky-high going into this game.
Team News
US Palermo
Delio Rossi will have to do without the services of Fabio Liverani, Abel Hernandez, Mauricio Pinilla and youngster Matteo Darmian as all the aforementioned players are struggling with injuries. On a positive note, last year’s talisman Fabrizio Miccoli has
been declared fit to start the game. Rosanero tactician is expected to deploy a 4-3-2-1 formation to smother a brilliant midfield.
AS Roma
Stefano Okaka Chuka, Rodrigo Taddei and Simone Perrotta will not travel to Sicily as the trio nurse their respective injuries. Argentine hard man Nicolas Burdisso will serve his suspension on the sidelines as Philippe Mexes will start instead. Ranieri will
stick to the 4-3-1-2 formation that has been the corner stone of Lupi revival. Jeremy Menez will play the trequartista role – a position where he has performed divinely – while Francesco Totti and Marco Borriello will lead the Gilarossi charge.
Key Players
Javier Pastore
Like poker chips stacking up, the Argentine has raised his reputation this season in a truly mind-blowing manner. Rosanero number 27 will look to dictate play for his team in the final third and will be key to all Palermo attacking moves.
Jeremy Menez
Menez is Gilarossi’s answer to Javier Pastore, and a perfect one at that. Owing much to his blistering form, Menez has out shown the talented Argentine in recent weeks and will look to terrorise a modest Sicilian defence with his array of tricks and flicks.
Should Menez manage to replicate his Champions League exploits at Stadio Renzo Barbera, Gilarossi will be odds-on favourite to pocket the three points.
Prediction
Rosanero home form hasn’t been the best of late and Gilarossi are a mean machine that means business. However, in crunch ties like this one, form usually goes out the window. Palermo will be able to hold off Gilarossi march and will eke out a draw. US Palermo
2 – AS Roma 2.
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