Italy Coach Marcello Lippi overlooking Fabrizio Miccoli is unforgivable

So there were absolutely zero surprises in Marcello Lippi’s 29-man squad to gather in Rome this week. It’s not the final 23, but you can be 99.9 per cent certain that nobody from outside this list – Roma players apart – will be present when Italy take on Paraguay in their World Cup opener in six weeks time.

All of which means the widespread public calls for Sampdoria’s Antonio Cassano, which have barely stopped since the tactician took the reins back from Roberto Donadoni two years ago, have been completely ignored. So too have the more recent pleas for an inclusion for Fabrizio Miccoli of Palermo, who has struck upon the greatest run of his professional career over recent months as the unheralded Sicilians have moved to within two wins of a sensational Champions League appearance.

It is also believed that Inter striker Mario Balotelli will miss out on the final cut, although his exclusion from Lippi’s training party could be explained away by Inter’s participation in the Coppa Italia final tomorrow night, with a decision on Roma’s Francesco Totti being delayed for similar reasons. However, with a u-turn having not been made on other more experienced players, it is highly unlikely that ‘SuperMario’ will get a late call. As Goal.com’s Carlo Garganese argued yesterday, the head coach has decimated one of the best groups of forwards in international football by choosing to ignore much of the greatest talent at his disposal.

The case of Cassano has been debated long and hard for a lengthy period now, whilst there’s something new to talk about with Balotelli by the day. But, the story of Miccoli has become the more fascinating read.

Having suffered during his Juventus days due to his poor relationship with then-director general Luciano Moggi, the ‘Romario del Salento’ has been the centerpiece of the Palermo side since arriving in Sicily in 2007. But only this season has his real potential as a big game player shone through. With finishes in or around mid-table having become the norm in the six years since the Rosanero gained promotion, this campaign has seen the club excel thanks to the players’ united belief in each other’s abilities.

And nobody in that side has more natural ability than Miccoli. Here in Siena on Sunday, the diminutive striker proved his fantastic ability once again, striking a vital second to put Palermo out of sight in a show of great skill, poise, mentality and finishing ability. His 18th league goal of the season also sent him into joint first position in the club’s list of all time top-flight goalscorers.

But it’s not just his goals which have sent him rocketing into analysts’ minds when they talk of possible Azzurri wild cards. Despite his modest 5ft 5in frame, he has demonstrated the stature and self confidence of a man twice his size, with his performances getting better and better in the face of some monumental fixtures in recent months. Nobody is in the vein of form which Miccoli can boast right now… Nobody.

With Palermo having first moved up to fourth spot after a Miccoli-inspired 2-0 win at Juventus, they have since shown great mental toughness to remain in with a strong chance of top continental football with only two games to go, despite having faced Inter and Milan at home and made difficult trips to Cagliari and Genoa in that time. And much of that form can be attributed to the pint-sized attacker. Having bagged eight goals in his last six appearances, the former Benfica man has risen to the occasion at a time when many of his team-mates are dipping their toes in uncharted waters.

More at Goal.com

Maurizio Zamparini: Palermo will qualify for Champions League

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini is confident his side will obtain Champions League football, despite losing ground to Sampdoria in the race for fourth spot yesterday.

A 2-2 draw with Cagliari left the Rosanero two points adrift of Samp, who were late winners against Milan in Liguria.

But Zamparini has said his players will show effort for the cause in the final four games of term to secure European football.

“Champions League? I think we will get it because the point at Cagliari will determine it,” he told Calciomercato.it.

“It was a strange game because we went down via a deflection and we made mistakes at the back.”

Palermo take on Milan at the weekend and Zampa knows his side need to tread carefully if they are to move closer to the Champions League.

“Milan already have their minds on next season, but technically they are a strong team, and so we have to pay attention,” he concluded.

Source: Goal.com

Catania vs. Palermo 2-0

Catania took another step towards Serie A survival with a victory over Sicilian rivals Palermo at the Stadio Massimino.

Maxi Lopez scored both goals for the Rosazzurri in the first half as they dented their neighbours’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season and gave themselves a seven-point cushion over the bottom three with six games remaining.

Palermo remained fourth in the table, although they are now level on 51 points with Sampdoria.

Catania started as they meant to go on with Lopez putting them ahead after 14 minutes.

He caught Dorin Goian in possession as he was preparing to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper and stole it from him, leading it a few paces towards the goal before striking his shot across Salvatore Sirigu into the far corner.

Lopez should have had a second in the 19th minute when he was put through with just Sirigu to beat. But he tried to nudge the ball delicately past the Palermo goalkeeper, who was able to push it behind for a corner.

The Rosazzurri were on top of the game and they doubled their lead in the 32nd minute.

Again, it was a mistake by Goian which led to Lopez’s second of the game. He waited for the ball to reach him, but Jorge Martinez was alert and raced in to intercept it before skipping past Simon Kjaer and pulling the ball back for Lopez to slot home from close range.

Lopez almost completed his hat-trick five minutes before the interval when he cut in from the right, but a combination of Sirigu and the post denied him.

Edison Cavani came close to bringing Palermo back into the game on the stroke of half-time with a carbon copy of Lopez’s angled shot, which was pushed behind by Mariano Andujar.

Palermo started to show some signs of life early in the second half with Cavani shooting straight at Andujar after being put through with just the Catania goalkeeper to beat.

Fabrizio Miccoli shot just inches wide of the post from 20 yards in the 53rd minute as the Rosaneri stepped up their search for a way back into the game.

But as they committed men forward, they left gaps in behind and Catania nearly wrapped up the points when Giuseppe Mascara shot wide of the post as three Catania players opposed two Palermo defenders in the 69th minute.

Catania then decided to sit back and hold onto their lead, which rarely looked in too much danger.

The closest their guests came to scoring was in the 86th minute when their lively substitute Abel Hernandez cut the ball back from the byline to Cavani, but his first touch was clumsy and the chance went begging when he had only Andujar to beat.

Source: ESPN.com

Palermo close to the Champions League

As Palermo reclaimed the fourth spot in the standings following this afternoon’s victory over Livorno, coach Delio Rossi refused to get caught in the wave of emotions as he looks to take things one week at a time in the race for Europe.

“We are still breathing the winter air,” he declared to SkySport after being probed on his side’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

“The city of Palermo must continue to reason in a serious manner, and it is important we don’t get too carried away.

“I am a rational person but am also instinctive. We missed the chance to go ahead early on but we were clever to take advantage when the timing was right.

“If we don’t take on these encounters with the right level of tension, then we simply cannot win them. After a long series of positive results, it is easy to start taking things for granted.”

“Being the side we are, however, we simply have to remain on the ground and start each game with the right mentality. If we do this, then we are a match for anyone,” he concluded.


Source: Goal.com

Palermo coach Delio Rossi hardly slept after the victory over Juventus in Turin

Palermo coach Delio Rossi is proud of his side’s 2-0 win over Juventus, so much so that he hardly slept following the game.

“I only slept an hour because I started to respond to all these messages, but I am not good with technology, so it took forever,” Rossi told Telegiornale di Sicilia referring to messages of congratulations after the win in Turin.

Goals from Fabrizio Miccoli and Igor Budan sent Palermo into fourth, and Rossi acknowledged improvement compared to recent games.

“When we played in Milan were went on the pitch unaware, but it was different against Juventus as we played for something against an important team,” he concluded.

Source: Goal.com

Roma vs. Palermo: can the goalfest be repeated?

These two sides played out a six goal thriller in Sicily back in September, and given Palermo’s approach in their last three games under Delio Rossi, there’s every chance that there’ll be more goals in the early evening Saturday game at the Stadio Olimpico.

After seeing the dignity with which Rossi negotiated his shoddy treatment at Lazio, it’s great to see him doing such a good job at Palermo, and after a fairly cautious start to his time in charge, he really has the men in pink playing. They were brilliant in the 3-0 dismissal of Fiorentina, desperately gung ho in that 4-2 defeat in Bari, and a mixture of both against Parma last week when they won 2-1.

Roma are on an unbelievable run of form, having won their last 8 in all competitions, and even though they’re not the free scoring side of old, they’re still a team which is happy to get involved in an open game if the opposition come to play that way, and that’s exactly what I think that Palermo will do. Roma are the likelier winners, but I don’t think that 1.76 offers much value. I’m happier to take a bigger price about there being four goals or more.

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Kick Off: Saturday, February 13, 2010, 18:00 CET.
Stadio Olimpico, Rome.

Good news for Palermo fans

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini insists Fabrizio Miccoli will be staying at the club, despite rampant speculation he was in the course of leaving.

The hitman was substituted after missing a penalty against Napoli on Sunday as the teams drew 0-0. There was widespread talk that a laser was shone in the player’s eyes as he took the kick, making him miss.

Miccoli looked annoyed as he was taken off and claimed he was really disappointed after the game.

However, Zamparini has put the sweeteners on the gloom, claiming Miccoli is happy in Sicily, and that he has no plans to leave.

“Miccoli is a great player and he is happy to stay with Palermo. We must not create a problem. It’s normal for a player who is attached to the shirt to be upset when he comes off,” the chief told 7 Gold.

“I repeat, we must not create a case where one doesn’t exist.”

Source Goal.com

Catania Sign Former Barcelona Striker Maxi Lopez

Catania have captured former Barcelona striker Maxi Rodriguez from FK Moscow, the club have announced.

Lopez has been playing in Brazil for Gremio on loan, but he arrives in Sicily on a permanent basis and has signed a four-year deal.

More at Goal.com

Palermo wins against Atalanta

Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore enjoyed his side’s 1-0 win over Atalanta in Sicily, claiming it was fundamental for their confidence. The Rosanero starlet also spoke about his experience adapting to Italian football since arriving from Huracan.

“For us, it was an important victory after the draw with Sampdoria,” he told Sky, referring to last week’s 1-1 draw with the Blucerchiati.

More at Goal.com

Catania coach Sinisa Mihajlovic in survival pledge

New Catania coach Sinisa Mihajlovic believes he can help push the team out of the relegation zone and keep them safe come the end of term.

Mihajlovic took over from the sacked Giuseppe Atzori and he has pledged to turn fortunes around in Sicily. He believes his side have the right strength and mentality to be able to fight their way out of trouble.

“I am very motivated and feel big resposibility. This will help me. Sometimes the motivation of a coach helps the cause. The more responsibilty I am given then the more I will deliver,” Mihajlovic told the press.

More at Goal.com

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