It was never going to be easy facing a Juventus side totally revolutionised from the past few seasons. Unfortunately for Palermo, they had to face this resurgent side with a squad decimated by injuries and suspensions. No less than seven players for the Rosanero were unable to take part, rendering a game that was stunted from the get-go and, for the most part, hard to watch.
Yet, despite losing by two goals while barely providing a threat on the offensive end, the Rosanero can hold their heads high for putting in a gritty performance. It was only a matter of time before Juventus broke the deadlock, but for 45 minutes, the young backline consisting of Munoz, Labrin and Milanovic repelled each and every Bianconeri attack (while getting some help from the woodwork). Milanovic even broke his nose after a nasty clash saw the Serbian tumble to the ground. But, knowing the lack of options, Milan toughed it out and played through the rest of the game. A fighting spirit in the midst of terrible odds was a refreshing thing to see and perhaps a testament to the influence guys like Migliaccio and Miccoli have had in the locker room.
Speaking of influence, the time has come for Mutti to exert his own to make some key decisions to the lineup. For starters, Ilicic cannot continue to start. His horrid sophomore season has been a nightmare to all in Rosanero. The excuses can no longer be attributed to “excessive burdening” and the lost of Pastore. After all, there are things that a player can exhibit on the field that would allow supporters to give him some slack. Yet, these outward signs (putting in effort, helping out the team, appearing to care) are nowhere to be found with Josip. Obviously, the jeers do not help – and should not be directed at players in Rosanero – but Ilicic needs to do more than whine and cry when things aren’t going his way. Mutti has an option on the bench, the aptly nicknamed “El Mudo” (“The Mute”) and hardly anything has been heard from him or about him other than a handful of substitute appearances and a start. It’s time to give him a run-out in anticipation for next season. A poor attitude from Ilicic should not be rewarded with continual playing time.
As for the other Slovenian, it’ll be interesting to see how Mutti utilizes Bacinovic with Donati returning from suspension and going forward. It’s hard to see Donati ceding his starting spot to Baci, but Armin seems like he has the hunger to make an impact on the field in the handful of remaining games left in this forgettable season. If anything, it’s great to have a capable backup should either one miss any time.
Finally, it needs to be said again: Labrin and Milanovic have been two of the best surprises in the second half of the season. The two young defenders have been quality additions to a depleted and woeful defense. They’ve filled in admirably and have been relied on heavily in recent weeks. Whether one or both make next year’s squad, it’s almost a certainty that Palermo will hold onto their contracts based on their potential for future growth.
There’s no time to relax as the Sicilians travel to Firenze to take on a familiar face or two and a desperate Viola side on Wednesday.
Dear Lorenzo.
I will not hide that I like iličić (after all I”m Slovene too), and I admit that his attitude on some occasions was not on the level (to say at least).
But, for example, last week against Bolonga, he was good, was”t he? At least most of media thought soo. Yes, he did”t score, but generaly he had some good passes, was threth to the opponent goal and so on… (he even fouled he”s national team mate Rene Krhin and so shown some zealous spirt- on the wrong man of course
Whereas against Juventus- well he was almost invisible. Like most of the team, don”t you think so. Where was Miccoli? An icon of the club? Oh, yes I so him when he had some terrible shot”s on the goal! The fact is, that both of attackers were cut of the game. Except Barreto in the middle (and later Bacinovic), there were no good man in the middle.
So I must conclude. Iličić this seson realy played black or white. He can create an assistence out of nothing and decide the course of the game or at his worse he can be invisible or lifeless on the field. Something need to change that he will reach constancy. I don”t know what.
And last thing conserning Palermo fans. I realy don”t think that whistlig will help him playing better. I read some interwiues with him and he is realy hurt beacouse of it. I will also ad, that he is not mature and selfconfident person from the psyhological point of standing. He needs support ESPECIALY when he is down.
Maybe change of enviroment is what he needs… Leaving Palermo behind.
Nobody can deny that Ilicic played a good match against Bologna, but obviously we can’t be happy with his season. We were all waiting for his explosion, in Palermo there was some rumor about his bad relationship with Pastore, so we all thought he could’ve played better without him, but the truth is that Pastore allowed him to play with much more freedom and he was less guarded by opposing defenders. When Ilicic is guarded by a defender, he loses the ball, it’s automatic. He’s too slow, he never uses the right foot, even to stop the ball, I’ve watched some Slovenia NT match, and it’s the same story. I don’t hate him, and I don’t hate Slovenians, trust me, but I think that he’s not a great player. He’s talented, but he’s physically and mentally limited. He still needs to improve, but we’re no more talking about a young promise, now he’s 24 and he has to show his real potential now. I don’t know if he’ll stay in Palermo next year, but if he leaves, I hope for him not to go to Inter or bigger clubs. He needs to play, he needs low pressure, he needs a place where he can make mistakes without being booed, and Palermo is no more that place (and I’m really sorry for that, because Palermo’s fans forgot where we were 10 years ago…)
Miha,
Whilst I agree with you our attackers were invisible against juventus the one thing that cannot be questioned of Miccoli, Budan, even Hernandez when fit is their work rate. Ilicic doesnt seem to realise this and even in games when he is playing well he still doesnt work hard. He is going on one seasons fortunes and needs to step up to the plate and with hardwork and skill show he is a good player. He only played well against bologna compared to the rest of his seasons form, he wasnt actually “good” and could of still played alot better. When i went to the barbera earlier in the season it was easy to see just how lazy he is, he walks everywhere, where as a player like barreto who, although nowhere near as technically gifted and had a poor game works his socks off for 90mins. Has he “decided” a game this season? Like Miccoli has, or budan? no, hes only added a bit of flair to a few good team performances, he hasnt had a match winning performance once.
For me Ilicic can go if he wants, but I think he owes us another season and to prove us fans wrong and leave with his head held high not buried in the sand. In zahavi and vazquez we have players waiting in the wings and a decent manager would of dropped him properly by now.
Dear Fozz
), since his performance this seson is not what we all expected.
I don”t have all seson in mind at the moment, but he did decide as far as I remember game against Bologna at home. Have he not scored from free kick and asissted for the first goal?
Now I am not going to search for hair in the egg (as we Slovene us to say
Could it be, that expectacions about him were to big? He is not Pastore (I was so angry when nobody advised him not to take shirt number 27, witch he wore in Maribor, since this will only add to expectation). The realty is that he is not top player, but nevertheless has some extra qualitys (like good eye for assistence, good overlook above hole playground and is good technican), but also a lot of minuses (slow with the ball, he is not physicaly strong, rather the opposite, he can”t play with his head, and above all he is not mentaly very mature and stable).
Anyway, my opinion is that he wil stand out in above average team and fall in greyness in average team. And this year Palermo is no more than average team.
And by the way, even if he leaves this seson I will stil follow Palermo, since in these two years since I follow it, it has become a nice habit.