The draw is only worth the certainty of the playoffs (but not of sixth place) and a difficult match to analyzeplayed among other things with the blatant protest from ultras fans which left the stands empty at the beginning and end of the match. The draw came in full recovery after some encouraging signs and other negative confirmations. In any case, Mignani has still postponed his first date with victory
The happiest note was the positive debut of Desplanches and the excellent performance of the attacking duo Soleri – Brunori, authors of a goal each. Among the negative notes was another uncertain defensive performance, with two goals conceded and two players left injured before the end. Ranocchia’s performance is worth reviewing.
On an athletic level, Palermo played a good first half but in the second half they gave up as always, leaving the initiative to the opponents and playing with a passive attitude. Too little to hope to be able to do well in the playoffs.
PALERMO: Desplanches 6.5; Nedelcearu 5.5 (from 37′ st Stulac sv), Lucioni 6, Ceccaroni 5.5 (from 37′ st Marconi sv); Diakité 5.5, Segre 6.5, Gomes 6 (from 12′ st Henderson 6), Ranocchia 5.5 (from 22′ st Di Francesco 6), Lund 5.5; Soleri 7.5, Brunori 8 (from 37′ st Mancuso sv).
LISTEN: Vasquez 5.5; Bellusci 5.5, Box office 5, Mantovani 6; Falzerano 5.5 (from 37′ st Duris sv), Valzania 5 (from 12′ st Masini 5.5), Di Tacchio 5.5 (from 12′ st Rodriguez 5.5), Celia 5.5 (from 20′ st D’Uffizi 6), Zedadka 5; Caligara 7.5; Tarantino 5.5 (from 12′ st Nestorovski 6).
Desplanches 6.5: It’s his seasonal debut after many benches and some appearances in the national team. A debut often invoked – as an indirect criticism of Pigliacelli – greeted positively by the public. But as the facts prove, he suffers the same fate as the starter: first opponent’s shot and first goal conceded. He doesn’t have much responsibility for Caligara’s header, the ball is almost at the top corner and he can only touch it: unfortunately the Rosanero defence, on high balls, continues to be easily vulnerable. Not at fault on the goal to make it 2-2. Well done on a close-range shot from Nestorovski. He does the ordinary administration well, shows reflexes and perhaps a little more courage in the exits. He needs to be looked at again but his debut is still positive.
Nedelcearu 5.5: Plays as the right-hand ‘arm’ in the three-man defence. Ascoli’s 1-1 was born from his short, low clearance, far from flawless, which fueled the opponent’s action. The match does not present any particular difficulties, in the second half the work increases but not the pace of the match.
(from 37′ st Stulac) sv: A few minutes to get rid of the smell of mothballs.
Lucioni 6: The lightning goal comes from his vertical forward relaunch, as he did with Brunori two games ago: the coincidence cannot be a coincidence. Among the three defenders he is the safest, also in terms of position and percentage of high balls cleared.
Ceccaroni 5.5: He watches, guiltily, Caligara’s header without even being able to disturb him, severe amnesia. The match wouldn’t present any particular difficulties for him either against a modest Ascoli team but if Palermo is so fragile on high balls it’s also a credit to him. He ends up in precarious conditions and leaves.
(from 37′ st Marconi) sv: A welcome return for him too, he can still be useful in the playoffs.
Diakite 5.5: In the news notebook it says that he missed a goal from a few meters away and that he received an early warning. Put like that, it might seem like a bad start to the day: in reality his position as fifth on the right of midfield seems to suit him better than the role of pure defender. Finally he is seen a little more often beyond the halfway line and we also see his good physical condition when it comes to sprinting on his opponents.
Secrets 6.5: His eye for goal allows him to invent the 2-1 goal: first he holds his position on a header from Soleri, then he protects the ball and returns it to his teammate with a beautiful overhead kick. This time Mignani deploys him on the centre-left and Segre still guarantees a great work of filtering and pushing, he also seems to have recovered on a physical level.
Gomes 6: Usual position, usual performance as a ball sorter with little speed and inventiveness. But overall he seems a little more alive too. He deserves a penalty in the first half but the referee doesn’t even give him a VAR review. He leaves due to a muscle problem.
(from 12′ st Henderson) 6: He comes in for Gomes and also replaces him in the role of director, however in front of the defense and not as far forward as Corini preferred. He seems more motivated than other times but doesn’t do anything extraordinary.
Frog 5.5: He returns to the starting line-up after two spells, according to the timetable foreseen for his complete recovery. There is still a long way to go. He plays as a right midfielder, he doesn’t stand out very much (one of his shots goes wide) but gives the impression that with him on the pitch the quality of the midfield can be improved. He leaves with cramps half an hour before the end.
(from 20′ st Di Francesco) 6: Sacrificed surprisingly, perhaps in deference to the turnover. He enters with desire, does little because Palermo is already in retreat. He almost scores from far away (but it would have been a scrooge for the goalkeeper).
Lund 5.5: Reacts well to the terrible performance four days ago in Spezia. It’s already something, also because he wants to push and show off. Perhaps he lacks understanding with Di Francesco but Brunori supports him well. Nothing sensational but this time we prefer to see the glass half full, even if it disappears in the second half.
Soleri 7.5: Undisputed protagonist of the match, right from the ball to the centre. He inspired the first goal with a top-level assist after winning a full-court tackle. He scores the 2-1 with intuition and generosity. Before, during and after battle for every ball giving a big hand to the team.
Brunori 8: He gave football lessons with the ferocity of someone going to the last battle. The captain scores his 17th goal of the season with a shot (not difficult) exploded with competitive fury. And then he calls everyone together for the ritual hug where there is all the anger accumulated in the last few days. He caresses many balls, leaving Soleri with the role of reference central striker. It’s a pleasure to watch him play.
(from 37′ st Mancuso) sv
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THE MATCH CHRONICLE
SERIES B, THE RESULTS OF THE 37TH MATCH
