Serie A Preview: AS Roma-Palermo
Roma (2nd Serie A, 32/45 points) v Palermo (31/45 points)
When: Dec 17, Sunday ; Kick-off: 2030 local time (CET)
Where: Stadio OIimpico, Rome
In the pick of this weekend's encounters in Serie A, Roma take on Palermo in a match that will help identify the team that will pose a realistic challenge to Inter in the race for this season's Scudetto. Hosts Roma are coming off a rather unexpected 0-3 mauling by Lazio in the Rome derby that took place last week and coach Luciano Spalletti is facing the task of motivating his dejected players for this crucial encounter.
Palemo meanwhile are under another sort of pressure following their elimination from the UEFA cup which was caused by a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo in midweek. The irrepressible Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini wasted no time in stating that now he expected Fransesco Guidolin's side to start doing well again in Serie A, since there was no more any 'distraction' that might have been caused by the UEFA cup.
'We'll Get There"
Luciano Spalletti is blessed with the ability of maintaining his composure whatever be the result of the match. Be it a 7-0 spanking of Catania or an embarassing derby defeat, Spalletti keeps his feet firmly on the ground and refuses to be carried away by a media which is prone to exaggerate everything."In moments of difficulty you have to find the energy to sew up the tears and start again, if we truly are a strong side" said an undeterred Spalletti after the derby defeat. He made it a point to state that the Scudetto still remained Roma's first priority for the season. "We're in the running and must believe, continuing our work with professionalism and consistency."
His cool head and deliberate temperament did much to bring back stability to Roma last season, after the club had famously gone through the 2004-05 season with 4 different coaches. Roma's unexpected entry to the Champions League this season - thanks being due to the match fixing investigation - has meant Spalletti has had to rotate his relatively smaller squad in order to compete for domestic honour and progress as far as they can in Europe. This he has managed expertly, thanks in no small part to the fantastic form of the iconic Totti and other key players such as De Rossi, Panucci and Mexes. The Roma coach will have no doubts about the importance of a game such as this and rest assured that he'll let his players know as much.
A Miracle In Waiting?
Maurizio Zamparini, or 'Zampa' as he is affectionately known, has already declared that he doesn't expect the club he owns to lift the Scudetto - at least not just yet. "It will take at least a few more years" he said when quizzed about Palermo's fantastic start to the season. "It will take a minor miracle to win the Championship" said the hot-headed chief.
Well, as things stand, we may be in for a miracle come May. As Christmas approaches, it may seem as if Inter are running away with the Scudetto, but there may yet be a twist in the end. 'Winter Champions' stagnating after the winter break or hitting a rough patch is nothing new, and Guidolin's side, should such an eventuality occur, seem well on course to be in a position to take advantage of it. 15 games into the new season, the Rosanero are sitting in a majestic third place, just a point behind capital giants Roma and a managable 7 points behind leader Inter.
This season we have been fortunate enough to witness the 3 main Championship contenters playing brilliant, attacking football. Out of a 3 man pool of Inter, Roma and Palermo, neutrals have been moved to applaud the sicilian giants. And not without reason. Led by the brillant Brazilian Amauri, the Rosanero have caught the eye with some stellar performances from David Di Michele, Mark Bresciano, Fabio Simplicio and captain Eugenio Corini.
But it should worry Guidolin that of the 30 goals his side have scored in Serie A this season, only 8 have come away from home, though that does include the brilliant 3-2 victory over Fiorentina when they were playing at the Artemio Franchi. A possible reason might be the absence of the passionate fans who virtually act as a 12th man during their home games. The Palermo coach will be looking to set this right.
Flashback
The two matches that featured in this fixture last season were both highly exciting affairs, with Roma winning the first game 2-1 and Palermo securing an incredible draw at home after being 0-3 down at half time. The game finished 3-3. The stakes are higher this time, and the excitement should only get better.
FORM GUIDE
Roma
Nov 26 v Sampdoria (A) WON 4-2 (Serie A)
Nov 29 v Triestina (H) WON 2-0 (Coppa Italia)
Dec 2 v Atalanta (H) WON 2-1 (Serie A)
Dec 5 v Valencia (H) WON 1-0 (Champions League)
Dec 10 v Lazio (A) LOST 0-3 (Serie A)
Palermo
Nov 26 v Inter (H) LOST 1-2 (Serie A)
Nov 30 v Sampdoria (H) LOST 2-3 (Coppa Italia)
Dec 3 v Parma (A) DREW 0-0 (Serie A)
Dec 9 v Livorno (H) WON 3-0 (Serie A)
Dec 13 v Celta Vigo (H) DREW 1-1 (UEFA Cup)
TEAM NEWS
Roma
Spalletti will have defenders Gilberto Martinez and Mattaeo Ferrari out with injuries while latest sensation Alberto Aquilani will also miss out owing to injury.
Squad: Doni, Curci, Chivu, Mexes, Panucci, Defendi, Cassetti, De Rossi, Mancini, Perotta, Pizarro, Taddei, Tonetto, Rosi, Virga, Totti, Vucinic, Montella
Palermo
The Sicilian giants will have to do without defenders Cesare Bovo and Guiseppe Biava, who will be accompanied on the sidelines by midfielders Aimo Diana and Franco Brienza.
Squad: Fontana, Agliardi, Barzagli, Cassani, Pisano, Zaccardo, Dellafiore, Capuano, Bresciano, Corini, Guana, Simplicio, Parravicini, Tedesco, Munari, Amauri, Di Michele, Carraciolo
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Roma - Daniele De Rossi
All of 23, De Rossi has worked his way up to become one of world football's brightest young stars. The battling midfielder, a product of the Roma youth system, is one of the pillars of his home club and is seen by many as the heir to Genaro Gattuso in the Azzurri. De Rossi has had an excellent season, providing perfect cover for Roma's defense and its more creative players as his side march towards to Scudetto. He has to be in his element if Roma are to stop Amauri & co. from dominating them.
Palermo - Andrea Barzagli
Juventus are rumoured to have already netted him for the following summer, but the man labeled the 'next Alessandro Nesta' is not allowing anything to distract him from doing his job - keeping the ball (and opposition players) out of Palermo's penalty area. He showed he was not overawed by the occasion when he started the World Cup match against Ukraine along side the legendary Cannavaro, and has shown remarkable consistency this season. He'll be on red alert against Roma to stop anything that the masterful Totti and his associates might throw at him.
PREDICTION
Its very hard to predict this one. Both teams have great attacking potential. Roma have a better defense and the woeful goal scoring record of Guidolin's men away from home seem to tilt the scales in favour of the host, but you never can tell in these kinds of matches.
Roma 3 - 2 Palermo
S. Arun Pradeep
