Wow, it’s unbelievably hard to pick a winner this week. So, for the first time in Androberto history, we have two winners. Almost the entire team seemed to have an off-week, but there were two players that out-sucked the rest. One playing at his regular position and giving Juve too many chances to score, another one played out of position but failing to capitalize on the chances that were given.
Winners this week are Mauro Cetto and Josip Iličič. The Argentinean had shown his talent in the previous matches, taking the place of Migliaccio when he moved back to midfield, but fucked up big time against Juve. Bad positioning and terrible defending caused the Gingerhead Man to give both Simone Pepe (still hate his guts) and Ale Matri (looks like a chick with too much make-up) easy goals. He was substituted by Mangia later on and will have to play a badass rebound game against Fiorentina to keep his starting spot.
Iličič might play the excuse that he was used as a striker instead of his usual role as an attacking midfielder, but his performance was lackluster. He was given three good chances to peg one back, but failed every time. His biggest miss was a splendid through ball that placed him alone before Gigi Buffon, but like a 10 year old kid he completely missed the ball. Add to that a lot of terrible passes, bad decisions and lost duels and you know why he shares the prize with Cetto.
Let’s hope the Fiorentina game will bring better performances from both of them.
It had to be Cetto and Iličič. Both of them really stuffed up at crucial moments. These are the games where you must punch above your weight. But just like against Milan, we cowered. This is not the Palermo I know.
I surrender, Iličić deserves this title (this time). As a Slovene I ussualy defend him, but this time… However, I don”t agree that his biggest fault was not scoring (Buffon was to times simply in the right place- the third time… it was terrible performance from Iličić).
Losing balls in the middle (wrong passings, loosing duels…), was to me bigger problem (none of goals was scored after his mistakes, but nevertheless).
Maybe he was to avere that Juve is lookig at him with one eye? Who knows, I”m afraid that Mangia will let him on a bench next time. And I think he is not cooping good with this sort of pressure. It is hard to play if coach have no confidence in you…
However defence against Juve was even worst than Iličić.
I’ve been as hard as anybody on Ilicic but I don’t think he deserves any piece of this award… well maybe two per cent. Sure I was pissed that he couldn’t finish any of his chances but this happens to the best. Did anybody else look dangerous on Sunday ? There were several times over the past two years when Pastore couldn’t finish and just tonight (Tue) in Champion’s League Balotelli had two great second half chances to even the match against Napoli but didn’t. Shit happens. I thought Ilicic’s heart/effort was in it – especially for a road game – unlike many others who seemed to crumble. When is the last time that nit Pepe scored on a header ? For that alone Cetto owns this award and I’d be reluctant to start him v. Fiorentina.
Jeff, it’s not just the not scoring part. It’s the amount of bad passes, bad calls, lost duels…it’s about being played as a striker but still standing around motionless on our own half when we attack. That was the main reason why he shares the award. And still, I would’ve scored on that one chance…
It’s not enough we have to deal with the embarrassment of having Zamp as the owner, we now must have that frickin’ burger logo opposite the team scudetto and just as prominent? WTF? Is any Italian happy to see some crap US burger chain show up in his/her city? I know I hate seeing the two that are located in the Italian city I live in.
Oh come on, are we really going to complain about that? The team needs money, and this is a good start. Yes, modern football sucks, but we (sadly) need these things to survive. I prefer it over playing without a sponsor or those ugly-ass Alitalia-logo’s from years ago…
Speaking of sponsorship… has Zamparini ever used any of his business ventures as a Palermo sponsor?
I think that Mandi (2006-2007) was part of Zamparini’s investments…
Speaking of which, when I was in Palermo in september, me and the gf went to the Conca D’oro-shopping center. Found out today that it’s a Zamparini initiative and people mock it by calling it Zampacenter…
I accept the need for advertising, but BK?! American fast food is not just any old stupid-ass advertiser for an Italian team–specifically Sicilian–it has cultural ramifications. I’m not some “Slow Foodie” or “foodie” of any sort, but I don’t think you have to be to have a problem w/ shit US fast food chains in Italy. But, hey, I shouldn’t let it bother me as soon, to raise funds, Italy may rent out ads on major cultural sites. Can’t wait to see Michelangelo’s David w/ a swoosh logo on one pec.
Wow, great analysis on the Palermo team. Your site also has some great pictures! Keep up the great work, I just started following you on twitter.
Larry