Football Season Guide

Only a couple of seasons ago, Palermo were fighting for a place in the Champions League, they missed it by an inch, and President Zamparini was talking about Scudetto quite seriously. Then, things took a different turn, some key players were sold, several mistakes were made and Palermo had to be content with reaching a mere safety. During the current transfer campaign, more key players left. It was certainly the case of Viviano, Balzaretti and Silvestre. Such losses represent a major blow indeed for the team that was now trusted in coach Sannino's hands. First of all, he will be expected to re-build the defence. Due to such departures and due to the fact that Palermo, in the past season, conceded 62 goals, with just Genoa and Novara having done worse. In goals Ujkani should make it straight to the starting eleven while Cetto should be back in the heart of the back four after a spell in France on loan. Mantovani should move from the bench and become the new left-back. Morganella and Garcia should give more depth to what was a troublesome defence. In the middle of the park, a few players returned from loans but Rios could represent an interesting new arrival. An alternative to Migliaccio or Donati. Brienza, possibly the most important player arrived during this transfer campaign should give some experience and quality to an already remarkable attack.