Serie A Preview: U.S. Città di Palermo – US Lecce
Rossoneri back to winning ways
Palermo has had a mixed start to their 2010-11 Serie A campaign. Instead of fighting for a Champions League spot, the Sicilian club has been fighting for points in the relegation zone. After suffering two defeats in his opening three matches, Palermo manager
Delio Rossi was under immense pressure to perform and he did just that against Juventus.
Palermo thrashed Juventus in Turin with a scintillating blend of attacking football that was a joy to watch. The match finished 3 – 1 in favour of the Sicilians. Young Argentine sensation Javier Pastore was so sensational that it forced fiery Palermo President
Maurizio Zamparini to tag him “The New Zidane”
The Aquile currently languish in 16th spot in the table but one must consider the fact that the club has had an arduous fixture list, heading into the Serie A calendar. Palermo will be confident of dispatching a struggling Lecce at home.
Relegation looming for Lupi
Lecce is the pundits’ relegation candidate come the end of season. Their form so far, has suggested little otherwise. Lecce was hammered 4 – 0 by AC Milan on match day but bounced back with a win against an out of sorts Fiorentina. Their following two matches
resulted in a single point.
Lecce was expected two struggle away from home prior to the season and the two defeats on their travels have done nothing to dispel the poor expectations. The Giallorossi thus need something special to gain any points against an inspired Palermo outfit.
Team News
Palermo
Palermo’s boss will be delighted to have a clean bill for health as there are no major injury concerns. Fabrizio Miccoli, who was in breathtaking form last season, has just returned from a four month layoff but will only make the bench until he regains match
fitness.
Expected formation
Palermo will stick to the 4-3-1-2 formation that paid heavy dividends against Juventus. Pastore will look to continue his rich vein of form in the Trequartista role. Liverani and Giulio Migliaccio will look forward to an easy outing following their impressive
performance on Thursday. Salvatore Sirigu looks to be over his poor form and will be the undoubted number one goalkeeper for Palermo
Probable Line-up
Salvatore Sirigu, Federico Balzaretti, Mattia Cassani, Ezequiel Muñoz, Migliaccio, Cesare Bovo, Liverani, Antonio Nocerino, Javier Pastore, Abel Hernandez, Ilicic
Lecce
Tore Reginiussen is the only injury concern for the newly promoted Serie A outfit.
Expected Formation
Lecce will look to crowd the midfield with a 4-1-4-1 formation. Against a dynamic and highly creative Palermo midfield, the move might just pay the dividends. Former Hammer David Di Michele will have his hands full against Pastore and Co. in the midfield.
Jeda is up for a tough time playing as the lone striker. Gustavo and Vives will have to be on their toes if Lecce are to get a point in Sicily.
Probable Line up
Antonio Rosati, Giuseppe Vives, Gustavo, Stefano Ferrario, Alberto Giuliatto, Guillermo Giacomazzi, David Di Michele, Ignacio Piatti, Carlos Grossmüller, Gianni Munari, Jeda
Key Players
Javier Pastore
On Thursday, Pastore played like a man possessed. His creativity was a joy to behold. Like a knife cutting through butter, Pastore’s through balls split the Bianconeri backline with consummate ease. Pastore will look to pull the strings for Palermo yet again.
David Di Michele
Michele plays in a team devoid of any star power. He will have to perform beyond his ability in the Lupi jersey if Lecce is to come away with a point from their visit.
Prediction
Confidence in the Palermo dressing room will be sky-high following their midweek thrashing of Juventus. Lecce will be hard pressed in getting a point let alone a victory. Palermo to run out 3 – 0 victors.
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