Serie A: Palermo versus Fiorentina – First half
The first half of football between Palermo and Fiorentina included an attacking display of football from both teams. Palermo, the home side, started the half strongly as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Pastore-c18082 took the initiative early on to control the tempo of the match.
The Argentinean trequartista was in fine form throughout the first half as he exhibited quality touches on the ball.
Pastore’s skilful display was complimented by terrific off the ball runs by the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fabrizio-Miccoli-c13236. During the first five minutes of the half, Pastore interchanged passes with Miccoli before firing off a well hit shot at the Fiorentina’s goal.
However, the Florentine club’s defense was on hand to block the shot as the ball went out of play for a Palermo corner kick.
The set piece, which was taken by Nocerino, was an accurate one but none of the Palermo players timed their runs right to connect with the ball, thus Boruc, the Fiorentina goal keeper, came out of his six yard box to grab hold of the ball in mid-flight.
The veteran shot stopper showcased brilliant strength of mind as he launched the ball upwards to catch the home side on a counter attack. Boruc’s throw was collected in by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Riccardo-Montolivo-c31049, who was tackled successfully by Balzaretti as the visitors were
stopped in their tracks.
Nonetheless, soon after Palermo took the lead, thanks to a brilliant run by Javier Pastore.
Mirroring his national team legend http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Maradona-c11160, in the 7th minute of the match Pastore went past two players in the central midfield area before playing a one-two with Ilicic.
The Slovenian winger played a perfectly timed pass back to Pastore, who side footed the ball into Fiorentina’s net as Boruc was left stranded due to the quality of the finish.
In the 15th minute of the match, Balzaretti was booked by the referee for a strong challenge on Behrami. The Fiorentina midfielder was left on the ground, seething in pain, as a result of the tackle by the home side’s defender.
In the 24th minute of the match, Munoz followed his team mate Balzaretti into the referee’s book for his clumsy tackle on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adrian-Mutu-c3742 just outside the Palermo penalty area.
However, Fiorentina ascended in attack from the free kick as the ball was played out to Montolivo, who chipped it to Behrami. The former West Ham United midfielder then played a perfectly timed cross to Gilardinho, who made no mistake from 3 yards out as
he sent his header flying past Sirigu inside the Palermo goal.
As a result, Fiorentina got their equalizer thus the score line reached 1-1 before the half time whistle sounded at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
Fiorentina will look towards making some changes to their line up in the second half to control more of the ball and also to fight the threat of Javier Pastore.
On the other hand, one can expect Palermo to retain their present formation as they did dominate most of the first half on their home turf. Half time score: 1-1.
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