Football news (Calcio news): Palermo 3-1 Bologna
Miccoli 10, pen 43, 79 (P), Adailton 38 (B)
Stadio Barbera
Fabrizio Miccoli’s hat-trick keeps Palermo in the Champions League spots by beating Bologna 3-1, their first win since March 7.
The Rosanero were looking to consolidate fourth place against a Bologna side that had lost two on the trot. They were without the suspended Simon Kjaer, Edinson Cavani and Federico Balzaretti, while Cesare Bovo, Fabio Simplicio and Mark Bresciano were on the treatment table. This meant a revolutionised defence with Giulio Migliaccio redirected from midfield and 21-year-old Marco Calderoni making his Serie A debut. Bologna had Andrea Raggi and Vangelis Moras unavailable, but Marco Di Vaio made his first start since a thigh strain.
Fabrizio Miccoli’s screamer was off target, but the Pocket Striker broke the deadlock after 10 minutes.
Javier Pastore’s through ball sent him flying down the left channel, where he cut back on to his right foot for an angled drive that flashed into the far bottom corner. It went through the goalkeeper’s legs at the near post.
Roberto Guana blasted over from distance. Palermo horribly wasted what would’ve been one of the goals of the season! Pastore and Abel Hernandez duetted down the left flank with several exchanged passes, but when clear on goal Pastore smashed it off target with the inside of his right foot.
Miccoli’s angled drive flashed across the face of goal following more great combination play from Pastore and Miccoli. Di Vaio also threatened, as he let a long ball over the defence bounce before hitting the half-volley across Salvatore Sirigu. Bologna went close from a corner when Daniele Portanova turned over from six yards.
A long Fabio Liverani free kick only skimmed Migliaccio’s bald pate, as even the tiniest touch would’ve taken it past Emiliano Viviano.
Bologna equalised with a perfect free kick from Martins Adailton. The veteran Brazilian curled into the near top corner with his left foot from just outside the box.
Antonio Busce’ clumsily walked into the back of Hernandez just inside the box and the referee awarded the penalty. The Uruguayan had his back to the goal, so it was a soft decision. Miccoli stepped up and sent Viviano the wrong way to convert.
Di Vaio’s angled drive was smothered at the near post on the stroke of half-time. In the second half another well-worked move came to nothing thanks to Nicolas Bertolo ballooning over from a very promising position.
Miguel Angel Britos did well to use his strength and pace to hold off Hernandez as the two Uruguayans went shoulder-to-shoulder on Pastore’s through ball. Hernandez was again about to pull the trigger when cut off by a crucial tackle in the box.
Miccoli’s spectacular flick created another chance for Palermo, but Calderoni could not make the most of it. Sirigu smothered a bouncing Adailton snapshot that picked up pace off the turf.
Britos was fortunate perhaps to only receive a yellow card when he hauled Hernandez back by the shoulder as the young Uruguayan burst towards goal with remarkable pace.
Miccoli’s screamer of a free kick skimmed the near post, hitting the support for the back of the net. Ondrej Celutska received his Serie A debut, replacing newcomer Calderoni, who was suffering from cramp.
Miccoli completed his hat-trick in style. A wonderful Fabio Liverani pass from midfield sent him clear down the left and the tiny hitman kept his cool to slip it between the goalkeeper and the near post.
It would’ve been 4-1 in the final minutes when Pastore threaded through for substitute Igor Budan, but this time Viviano stuck out a foot to parry the finish. Bologna also had the chance to get back into it, but Sirigu beat away Adailton’s angled drive from point-blank range.