Game 38, Serie A
Sunday May 29, 2005
Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo
Palermo Lazio 3-3
A six-goal draw pleases both teams as they reach their respective targets
The season started with a 3-0 defeat by Milan in the Supercoppa final. In the league Lazio earned 7 points in the first 3 games but then started struggling. After 16 matches Domenico Caso was sacked and replaced by Giuseppe Papadopulo. His first match was a 3-1 derby triumph, with Paolo Di Canio scoring again 16 years later. Lazio then won in Florence but then took only a point from the next five games. Luckily wins against Atalanta, Chievo and Parma had lifted the clouds. More defeats followed but away wins at Livorno and Bologna and draws against Roma and Fiorentina (not without controversy for an unseen Luciano Zauri handball "save" on the goal line), made Lazio practically safe. Practically, as they potentially still risked a relegation play-off if they lost today and other results went against them.
Luckily today's opposition were in festive mode. Palermo had had an excellent season. Newly promoted (after 31 years), under Francesco Guidolin, the Rosaneri lay in 6th position. Today in the Sicilian capital was a celebration of their UEFA qualification and a triumphant farewell to their manager (he would be back a couple of years later).
The match
A full stadium of 35,000 was ready to celebrate Palermo's positive season and give a heartfelt farewell to Guidolin. Lazio, however, could not afford to be a mere sparring partner as they still had to be careful mathematicians to avoid any nasty surprises.
The party atmosphere on a warm, sunny day took off immediately. After only three minutes the hosts were already ahead, with top scorer Luca Toni. Mario Santana put a good through ball to the big Modenese who entered the area and beat Angelo Peruzzi with a precise low shot. 1-0 Palermo and a perfect start for "Le Aquile" of Sicily.
Lazio had no intention of being bystanders and started to push forward themselves. In the 15th minute Sebastiano Siviglia teed up Di Canio but his close-range effort was saved instinctively by Nicola Santoni. Five minutes later, Antonio Filippini, after a one-two with Di Canio, shot but the keeper saved. The Rosanero debutant keeper repeated himself in the 28th minute on a dangerous Cesar strike.
After this twenty-minute monologue, Palermo stirred. In the 33rd minute a Santana cross took a deflection off Giuliano Giannichedda and fell to Mariano Gonzalez but his shot shaved the post.
Just before halftime Lazio equalised. In the 43rd minute Cesar's pass cut through the Rosanero defence and Tommaso Rocchi beat the offside trap, went round the keeper and slotted the ball in. 1-1 at halftime.
So far Palermo were dangerous but also carefree and had moments of distraction that Lazio could exploit. At the moment Brescia were losing, Parma and Bologna drawing so Lazio with this point would be safe.
For the second half, Papadopulo gave second keeper Fabrizio Casazza his moment of glory as he replaced Peruzzi.
Palermo came back on more determined to celebrate in style and went on the attack. After five minutes Toni threatened but Casazza made his first save. In the 61st minute, however, Palermo went in front again. A Santana shot was parried by Casazza but reached only as far as Franco Brienza who scored. 2-1 Palermo.
On the waves of enthusiasm Palermo continued to attack and only four minutes later struck again. In the 65th minute a Gonzalez cross from the left by-line was headed in by Toni. 3-1 Palermo.
Lazio were consoled by the other results' update; the fact that Fiorentina were now (66th minute) beating Brescia 3-0 away meant Lazio were virtually safe.
There were still 25 minutes to be played however, and the hope Palermo were already satisfied with their festive efforts. Lazio had already put fresh striker Roberto Muzzi on for Rocchi in the 64th minute and then five minutes later threw on another forward Fabio Bazzani for Di Canio.
The substitutions and the hosts increasing "inebriation" led to Lazio pulling a goal back in the 71st minute. A cross from the right by Antonio Filippini (that's what his shirt said anyway) was met by Bazzani who with a spectacular diving header made it 3-2.
Brienza and Eugenio Corini went off to standing ovations and Lazio sensed they could take something home from the party. In the 88th minute they did just that when Muzzi beat Santoni with a low, angled shot. 3-3 but the locals were not particularly taken aback and Palermo even took Toni off a minute later to soak up his deserved acclaim.
The match finished 3-3 with no injury time added. Everyone could now celebrate with the marvellous Sicilian pastries. Palermo a great season and 6th place, Lazio safety after a turbulent season in which at times things had looked pretty grim.
Who played for Palermo
Santoni, Ferri, Zaccardo, Barzagli, Grosso, Santana, Corini (79' Morrone), Barone, M. Gonzalez, Brienza (69' Mutarelli), Toni (89' Conteh)
Substitutes: Guardalben, Terlizzi, Raimondi
Manager: Guidolin
Who played for Lazio
Peruzzi (46' Casazza), Oddo, Siviglia, Giannichedda, Zauri, A. Filippini, Dabo, E. Filippini, Cesar, Rocchi (64' Muzzi), Di Canio (69' Bazzani)
Manager: Papadopulo
Referee: Rosetti
Goals: 3' Toni, 43' Rocchi, 61' Brienza, 65' Toni, 71' Bazzani, 88' Muzzi
Sources
Comments