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Internazionale vs Palermo Report
Diego Milito's four goals are not enough as Inter Milan lose ground after sharing the spoils with Palermo in a spectacular eight-goal thriller.
The Nerazzurri continued with their recent slump after being held to a frustrating 4-4 draw by Palermo in an incredible encounter played below freezing temperatures at the San Siro stadium on Wednesday.Palermo started brightly and surprisingly went ahead in the 17th minute when Andrea Mantovani met a Fabrizio Miccoli corner-kick with a simple assertion at the back post.
But their joy was short-lived, as five minutes later Diego Milito opened his personal account with a cool finish past Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano after good lead-up work from Brazilian defender Maicon.
Internazionale vs Palermo Preview
Inter Milan will have no choice but to stitch up their wounds when they take on Palermo at the San Siro in a clash which could define their destiny.
The Nerazzurri will be hoping to rebound from two successive defeats, knowing that anything less than the three points against Palermo could severely dent their title chances at the midway stage of the season.Things went from bad to worse for Inter, as after being knocked out of the Coppa Italia against Napoli last week, they went on to lose their seventh game of the season against lowly Lecce on Sunday. Not only did this result put an abrupt end to their seven-game winning streak but more importantly it saw them fall out of the Champions League qualification zone.
There's no doubt that Inter are passing through a negative patch, but what better way to rectify this than to obtain the three points against Palermo, whom are one of only three sides yet to have enjoyed an away win all season.
Napoli vs Cesena Report
Napoli progress to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia after coming from behind to defeat Cesena with a late winner from Goran Pandev.
Napoli came from behind to beat Cesena 2-1 with second half goals from Edinson Cavani and Goran Pandev to reach the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia at the San Paolo stadium on Thursday.Having come from a 3-1 victory over Palermo on Sunday, Napoli started the game in a very confident mood, but a sloppy mistake from Chilean debutant Eduardo Vargas costed them the first goal in the 20th minute. The $14.8 million signing lost the ball outside the Napoli area and Stefan Popescu took full advantage of this to fire Cesena ahead.
Napoli, who have won the Coppa Italia three times in the past, pushed forward looking to draw level, and although they came close to scoring an equaliser first through Cavani and then through Vargas they surprisingly went into the break behind.
Palermo vs Napoli Report
Edinson Cavani put on another superb performance as Napoli opened the year with a straightforward victory over Palermo.
Napoli moved into sixth-place of the Serie A standings, 10 points behind league leaders AC Milan, after obtaining a comfortable 3-1 victory over Palermo at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on Sunday.The first half was very lively as both sides created several clear opportunities to go ahead, with Napoli's prolific striker Edinson Cavani coming closest when his fierce header was expertly tipped over the bar by Palermo goalkeeper Francesco Benussi.
After intense end-to-end action, Goran Pandev finally broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 35th minute when he shot in on the turn after a brilliant run from midfielder Walter Gargano.
Transfer news: Pastore likely to land at Chelsea - Palermo’s vice-president
Javier Pastore’s agent is “working very well” to let the player join a big club for the right fee, Palermo vice-president Micciche confirmed.
Chelsea’s Andre Villas-Boas insisted that the Blues weren’t looking to make any big signings this summer. However, news emerging from Palermo’s side suggests otherwise. The club’s vice-president spoke to Radio Sportiva last weekend only to raise more transfer speculations related to Javier Pastore.The Argentine play maker remains under the radar or several clubs as Micciche could confirm during the interview. AS Roma, AC Milan, Internazionale, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City have all been more or less linked with Pastore at some point.
Chelsea Transfer News: Luka Modric and Pastore Are Top Targets
Chelsea have again attempted to tempt Tottenham Hotspur for their star Luka Modric, while Palermo’s Javier Pastore is also reportedly on the Blues’ radar.
After having an offer turned down, Chelsea owner Abramovich looks set to splash a sum of £22m for the midfielder. The purpose of the Croatian’s landing at the Stamford Bridge is based on the Russian billionaire’s idea to rejuvenate his side and obtain more fuel for the upcoming season’s immense challenges.Although a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti has yet to be appointed, glimpses of success over the Luka Modric bid could help the Londoners be more stable in their current situation, as they try to correct the mistakes that destroyed most of their plans in the last term. Whilst talks are anticipated to last for a period of time between Chelsea and Spurs, the Stamford Bridge occupants have also picked Palermo’s Javier Pastore as the perfect helper to solve their glitches upfront.
Inter Milan vs Palermo Preview
Palermo have the chance to win the Coppa Italia after thirty-two years when they take on Inter in the final on Sunday.
Despite the encompassing interest around Javier Pastore from various clubs, and the racist abuse against Samuel Eto’o off the field, Palermo and Inter will take the field in earnest during Sunday’s Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.In some seasons, the Coppa Italia, even in the latter stages, inspires only passing interest. However, given that Palermo will be competing in the tournament’s final after thirty-two years, and that Sunday represents the last chance for Inter to land a domestic trophy this season, the game has amplified significance.
Palermo had to beat newly-crowned Italian champions Milan in the semi-final to earn their chance to ease the pain of 1979, the year they lost to Juventus in the final. Inter, winners of this competition three times in the last six years, finished six points behind Milan in the standings, but winning the Coppa Italia will provide a measure of satisfaction.
Palermo vs AC Milan Preview
Milan have to cope with two away goals going into the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Palermo on Tuesday.
Milan won their eighteenth Scudetto on Saturday by virtue of a 0-0 draw against Roma, and even coach Massimiliano Allegri abandoned his usual reserve to join in on the celebrations in Rome. However, the second-leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final has returned to the purview for Milan. It must be difficult to maintain focus after winning the most important domestic honour, but Allegri has the capability to keep his team focused as himself.The coach admitted that the squad were still jittery with excitement during training, but any excitement was curtailed by the size of the task ahead. If Milan are to reach their goal of the domestic double, they have to neutralize Palermo's two away goals from the first leg. Achieving that at the Renzo Barbera will be difficult.
Javier Pastore Can Become Like Lionel Messi – Palermo’s Abel Hernandez
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is currently seen as the best player in the world by many football lovers, but Palermo’s Hernandez believes Javier Pastore is close to becoming just like the Ballon d’Or winner.
Pastore has been making the headlines in Italy following his amazing performances for the Rosanero. His talent has recently pushed him close to a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid, but his teammate Abel Hernandez does not believe that joining a bigger club will do Pastore any good. According to the playmaker’s fellow attacker, the 21-year-old Argentine could become just like his country mate Lionel Messi, in no time."Pastore? We have always done well together since we met,” Hernandez was quoted saying by Calcionews24.com. "He just needs a little bit more (time) to be world class.
"Maybe in a year, he will be ready. I think he can become just like Messi.”
Zamparini Set to Sell Palermo
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has had enough of Italian football, and he is now preparing to sell the club.
The irascible and whimsical Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini dramatically registered his displeasure at the state of Italian football by announcing his intention to resign and sell the club to a suitable bidder.Zamparini's decision came in the wake of Palermo's 3-1 loss to Milan yesterday, after which he announced his intention to leave the club:
"I am selling Palermo and I am leaving football. I have had enough. Tomorrow I will resign. I thought things had changed, but there is still the same sordidness in Italian football."
How far can Palermo really go?
The Sicilian team has found the right balance between experienced and young players and is a surprise to everyone fighting for a spot in next year’s Champions League.
The Italian championship is reaching its final curve, with nine games to go everything is still up for grabs, including that final place for next year's Champions League which Palermo will try and hold onto with their lives.
If we re-winded to last summer when Italian football lovers were giving their predictions on the season that was about to commence, near to none of those predictions would have gone to Palermo having such a fantastic season and to be currently sitting fourth in Serie A.