Posts Tagged ‘Palermo’

Emiliano Viviano: Has joined Palermo on a four-year deal from Inter Milan

Goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano has departed Inter Milan to join Serie A rivals Palermo on a deal which will keep him at the Stadio Renzo Barbera until 2016.

Viviano had not featured for the Nerazzurri since his summer move from Bologna after picking up a knee ligament injury in the pre-season.

The 26-year-old keeper is almost back to full fitness and had been targeting a January move in order to win a spot in the Italy squad for Euro 2012.

The Italian says Palermo were his first choice and is looking forward to putting his injury woes behind him.

“I’m very satisfied with the move,” Viviano told the Giornale di Sicilian.

“To play for Palermo is what I wanted. When this opportunity presented itself I immediately said yes.

“I can’t wait to start this new adventure. I’m coming from a difficult period and I want to take revenge.”

Federico Balzaretti: Remains a key part of Palermo’s plans heading forward

Serie A outfit Palermo have rubbished reports suggesting they could be about to sanction the sale of Federico Balzretti to Paris St Germain.

Speculation has suggested that the ambitious French outfit have set their sights on the highly-rated left-back.

PSG have already been successful in one raid on Palermo this year, with Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore lured away from Italy in a big-money deal.

They are believed to be contemplating another approach, with Italy international Balzaretti firmly in their sights.

No deal

Their efforts to force through a deal have been boosted by reports claiming the 29-year-old is open to a move as his girlfriend works for a ballet company based in Paris.

Palermo, though, have no intention of allowing another high-profile figure to head for the exits and have moved to quash rumours suggesting otherwise.

“Balzaretti will not join Paris St Germain in January,” said president Maurizio Zamparini.

“He is going nowhere. He’ll remain with us.”

Hernandez: Sealed 2-0 victory

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Mauricio Pinilla and Abel Hernandez scored to seal a 2-0 victory for Palermo over struggling Lecce in Serie A on Thursday night.

Palermo had slipped into the bottom half after losing their last two matches, but proved too strong for Lecce in Sicily to move up to seventh.

The result also extended Lecce’s winless run to six games and leaves under-pressure manager Eusebio Di Francesco’s side second from bottom in the standings.

However, the result was quite harsh on Lecce who, only days after throwing away a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 against AC Milan, wasted numerous chances to get at least a draw at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

The game started better for Palermo, though, before Lecce improved in the second half.

Eros Pisano went close to giving the home side the lead in the 22nd minute when he met a left-wing corner with his head, but a combination of Massimiliano Benassi and Chris Obodo managed to prevent the ball from crossing the goal-line.

On the spot

Five minutes later, a foul by Nenad Tomovic on Hernandez inside the penalty area left the referee little choice but to offer the Rosanero a penalty – and Pinilla opened the scoring from the spot.

Obodo tested Palermo goalkeeper Alexander Tzorvas for the first time with a shot from 35 yards out in the 32nd minute and Daniele Corvia lifted the rebound over the crossbar.

Lecce were not going to accept defeat without a fight, as they showed early in the second half when Ignacio Piatti shot just wide of the post.

However, as they committed men forward in search of an equaliser, the home side were able to find more room on the counter-attack and Eran Zahavi set up Hernandez for the second goal in the 77th minute.

Even at 2-0 down, Lecce continued to attack with Andrea Bertolacci curling a shot just over the crossbar in the 89th minute and coming close again in stoppage time, but the Apulian side failed to find even a consolation to go with their spirited performance.

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Gasperini: Remains confident despite poor start

Inter Milan coach Gian Piero Gasperini insists he has the full backing of everyone at the club despite their horrendous start to the new season.

The Nerazzurri have lost consecutive games to Milan, Palermo and Trabzonspor which means it is their worst start to a season for 90 years.

“In recent days the feeling is that we’re in the midst of a storm. But that’s only the case from the outside, not the inside. And it’s not the case with the team or the club,” he said.

“That’s the important thing is for us to show a response.”

“I’m in control of my work. For me what’s important is the professionalism of the team, what the president tells me and what the club tells me.

“The president has always had a very motivational attitude towards me and that’s what counts.”

Balzaretti: Set to join PSG from Palermo at the end of the season

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has told Federico Balzaretti that he will be allowed to join Paris St Germain next summer.

Balzaretti, 29, has reportedly attracted the attention of several clubs with his performances for Palermo in Serie A over the past couple of years.

New PSG general manager Leonardo is a long-term admirer of the left-back and Balzaretti has set his heart on a switch to the French club.

Zamparini has now revealed that he will grant the player’s request, although nothing will happen until the end of the season.

“Federico asked me to be sold to PSG and I’m going to oblige him,” Zamparini told RMC.

“Leonardo has already asked for him for some time but I told him that until the end of the season Balzaretti will remain with us.

“Meanwhile, we are already looking for his replacement.”