PALERMO 2-0 Perugia
Serie B
Renzo Barbera 21,835
This is a dawning of a new era. New owners in City football group, which I only hope will offer the stability we need. Well that stability on new foundations was rocking weeks before the start of the new season, with both Baldini our manager and Castagnini our sporting director offering their resignations despite Mirri's pleas to stay. They both sighted their lack of input into the new project, which is understandable. Baldini wanted to keep the core of the team which were let go against his better judgement. That core should have been kept together and then build upon not out of blind loyalty or sentiment but out of common sense. Why disband a group that created miracles, that was strong and cohesive? Ultimately Baldini was bound to go whether it be before the season, 5 games in or the winter break it was inevitable, it was clear for all to see that he wasn't a CFG man. Baldini has my thanks and my gratitude for making miracles and dreams come true by getting us here to B. Those play-offs and those words of passion in the post match interview will live long in the memory. We had to wait for Baldini's replacement with speculation rife, Ranieri, De Rossi and Corini were the names mentioned but it was the latter who got the job, Eugenio Corini. Corini returning to Palermo at this time feels like fate, it feels like a project built for him, I believe the two will compliment eachother he's apart of the project, the dawning of a new era.
Corini Palermo's new headcoach
The one signing we all wanted as Rosanero fans was Matteo Brunori on a permanent basis, his goal scoring lit up that serie C campaign, it felt like an age waiting but it finally came to fruition, we now know goals will be incoming just as night follows day.
There was a loud roar at the Barbara to greet the Palermo players in their first game of the Serie B campaign. 21,835 the 7th highest attendance in the whole of Italy. It was clear early on that Elia would be a threat on the right wing causing the Perugia defence problems. Floriano whipped a low cross into the box hoping to find Brunori but it was just behind him. In the 23rd minute the game changed and it looked unlikely that Perugia would come back from it, a Palermo counter attack with Floriano driving into their half, he passed to Elia who was brought down in the box. The referee pointed straight to the spot and gave Lisi a red card. Brunori stepped up and without a doubt scored the penalty down the middle, 1-0 Palermo.
Floriano was a thorn in their side, he beat his man and took a shot with the outside of his foot but the shot was saved. Sala tried his luck on the left wing, he crossed for Brunori who's shot was just wide. In first half stoppage time Perugia had a corner which Buttaro headed clear, Brunori picked up the ball broke into their half, he then passed to Elia just outside the box who scored. It looked legitimate until VAR intervened and ruled it offside, it looked to only be a hairs width. Elia deserved that goal for his first half performance.
At half time Soleri replaced Floriano for his tireless effort, a fresh pair of legs in attack to mount pressure on 10 man Perugia. Elia picked up where he left off improvising with a back heel to Buttaro to create space in order to receive it back and head towards the box, he was brought down before he could make it and a free kick was awarded. Valente took the free kick and got it over the wall and just over the bar. In the 62nd minute Perugia had their best chance of the game, a shot across the face of goal and wide. In the 65th minute Crivello replaced Sala who limped off. It was another counter attack that gave Palermo the second goal, Brunori picking out Elia with a fantastic ball from the left which Elia gladly put away under the keeper, 2-0 Palermo. Elia didn't celebrate due to his ties to Perugia but he got the goal his performance deserved.
Stoppa, a second half substitute tried his luck from outside the box his shot was over the bar. The final whistle blew and the Rosanero faithful sang in appreciation, a great start to the campaign and the new era. It really is good to B back!
Pigliacelli 6.7
Buttaro 6.2
Nedelcearu 6.6
Marconi 6.6
Sala 6.2
Broh 6.1
Damiani 6.8
Elia 7.5 MOTM
Floriano 6.2
Valente 6.1
Brunori 6.8
Soleri 6.2
Stoppa 6.1
Crivello 5.9
Pierozzi 6
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