Juve hadn't played since they beat Inter 2-1 after the triadic death of a Parma fan last week before kick off and were still living on a high after defeating the table toppers. Mean while Palermo had an unfortunate defeat away to Napoli which was Stefano Colantuono first game in charge of Palermo after getting his job back after he was fired early in the season.
Claudio Ranieri had nearly a full squad to chose from the only absentees were Cristiano Zanetti and Jorge Andrade who were both out injured. Ranieri only made one change to his formation from the side that beat Inter, Antonino Nocerino came in for Hasan Salihamidzic with the reaming ten players keeping there spot in the starting eleven after their great performance two weeks ago.
Ranieri stuck with his 4-4-2 formation with Cristian Molinaro and Zdenek Grygera at the fullback positions while Nicola Legrottaglie and Giorgio Chiellini were in the center of defence. Mauro Camoranesi returned to his traditional position as a right winger, Mohamed Sissoko and Pavel Nedved were playing in their familiar roles with Nocerino playing along side Momo in the center. David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero were Juve's attacking force this evening.
Juve's defensive display against Palermo was poor with two of the three goals coming from mistakes. The first half was particularly bad from a defensive point of view, with both Chiellini and Grygera both commenting errors on the second goal and the first coming from a missed pass which fell straight to Amauri, who truthfully could of been closed down sooner by Legrottaglie. Zdenek Grygera never really got into the game and looked unconvincing which was a far cry from his recent performances, he was subbed off at half time with Hasan Salihamidzic taking his place. The Juve defence were never really tested but when they were they conceded goals, all three of Palermo's goals were the only meaningful shots on target the home team had.
Claudio Ranieri decided to start Nocerino along side Sissoko in the center of midfield, neither player had an impact on the first half. Antonino didn't do himself any favors by giving a lackluster performance in the first 45 minutes he played. His inability to deliver that final ball was on show, every time he got into a good position the final pass and decision making let him down. Nocerino is now a totally different player to the one that started the season so brightly, he looked like he would hold down the center midfield position for many years now its uncertain if he will be there next season.
Mohamed Sissoko performance was particular impressive, despite the dismal performance of the side in the first half, the second half came to life with the introduction of Tiago for Nocerino it gave more freedom for Sissoko which was on show, with is ability to run from box to box he was every where in the second half. He broke up Palermo's attempts to get out of their own half with magnificent tackles, he also set up Juve's first goal with a dazzling run from the big man which was finished by Del Piero.
Mauro Camoranesi and Pavel Nedved were on the flanks of the Juventus midfield but never had any opportunities to get forward in the first half with Palermo piling on the pressure in midfield they were forced into more defensive duties. Pavel Nedved was forced off with a early injury and was replaced by Vincenzo Iaquinta. With the arrival of Iaquinta Juve changed to a 4-3-3 formation but it didn't change the first half at hall.
Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet never got any service in the first half and with the departure of Nedved due to injury they looked less likely to get any decent service. Juve had three strikers on the pitch but they were well controlled by the Palermo defence in the first half. Del Piero was then moved to play behind Trezeguet and Iaquinta and he showed all his qualities with his sectional performance in his 553 appearance for Juventus.
1st Half:
Palermo started the brighter of the two sides with getting a shot off after just 11 seconds which didn't miss by much. They then took the lead thanks to Amauri, there was a miss placed back pass in the Juve midfield which fell straight to Amauri who placed a curling right foot shot from 16 meters into the top corner giving Buffon no chance.
There was a sicking class of heads between Pavel Nedved and Roberto Guana, with both players unable to continue they were subbed off, they were then taken to a local hospital for further assessments and spent the night in hospital.
Alessandro Del Piero then had a long rang volley charged down by the head of Leandro Rinaudo. From the resulting corner Juve had a penatlty turned down after Mattia Cassani cleary pulled Camoranesi's jersey.
Giorgio Chiellini then had the chance to draw his team level but missed and open header from a Del Piero Corner. Moments later Del Piero was incorrectly given offside which would have put him one on one with the keeper.
There were a few long range shots from Molinaro, Camoranesi and Nocerino but none tested the Palermo keeper Alberto Fontana. Juve didn't their first shot on target until first half injury with Iaquinta have a long range effort which was easily saved by Fontana.
It got even worst for Juventus in the final minute of injury time Palermo got their second goal, after Fabio Caserta some how manged to get a cross in from the left hand side, after getting pass Grygera attempt to stop him he floated the ball in to the box. Juve central defenders were court ball watching after letting Amauri come from behind and powering a header on goal which Buffon could only get his finger tips to.
2nd Half:
Claudio Ranieri changed his side at half time he brought on Tiago for Nocerino and Salihamidzic for Grygera. After being on the pitch for only a minute there was another class of heads between Tiago and Giulio Migliaccio although this time it was less serious with both players just having cuts to their heads.
Juventus then got on the score board with an amazing run from Sissoko who got past three Palermo players before having his shot saved by Fontana but the rebound fell to Del Piero who scored with a left footed shot.
Nicola Legrottaglie was left to dribble out of defence and nearly made the home team pay with his shot from 30 meters out just shaving the upright. David Trezeguet then got lucky with a deflection but his volley had no power and missed the target.
Juventus then got their well deserved equalizer with Momo Sissoko crossing the ball into the box and Trezeguet heading the ball on target which Fontana could only palm away which fell straight to Del Piero who scored a similar goal to his first goal.
Juve were pilling on the pressure to try and get a third goal and it almost came in the form of an own goal, Rinaudo got in front of Trezeguet to clearer the ball over the bar after some great work from Camoranesi on the right hand side. Trezeguet then had a shot charged down from seven yards as Juve looked very likely to score a third.
They should of added a third goal to their tally after a Alessandreo Del Piero free kick came off the post and the rebound falling to Trezeguet who saw his close range volley some how saved by the Palermo keeper Fontanna.
After some great build up work Trezeguet missed another chance to give his side the lead after Tiago played a ball in from the right which Camoranesi dummied for Trezeguet his shot missed the target and another chance had gone begging.
Palermo then took the lead in the 89th minute when a free kick was cleared, it fell straight to Mattia Cassani who blasted a shot at goal from 30 yards out which left Buffon with no chance.
Player Ratings:
Buffon: 6 - Didn't have a save to make through out the match but conceded three excellent goals.
Grygera: 5 - Didn't show enough in the first half that he could add something to the Juve come back attempt.
Legrotagglie: 5.5 - Didn't have a good first half, could of done more on Palermo's first goal, but almost scored an with an outrageous shot.
Chiellini: 5.5 - Was at fault on Palermo's second goal, should of scored with a open header.
Molinaro: 6 - He gave a lot of support to attack but he doesn't have that final touch or pass to make the difference.
Camoranesi: 7 - He played well creating a few opportunities for his team mates, needs to clam down a bit or risks getting sent off.
Nocerino: 4.5 - Very bad game could complete the simple task, who knows what the future will hold for him.
Sissoko: 7.5 - He was all over the pitch, he broke up Palermo's play and drove the team forward and created the first goal.
Nedved: NA - Got injured in the first 20 minutes
Trezeguet: 6.5 - The usual reliable Trezegol should of scored at least one goal, he setup Juve second goal.
Del Piero: 8 - Scored two goals, hit the post, looked like the only Juve player that was going to create of score a goal, completely controlled the second half along with Sissoko.
Substitutes:
Iaquinta: 5.5 - Came on for Nedved in the 22nd minute and never got into the game
Salihamidzic: 6 - Did what he had to do in attack and defence.
Tiago: 6.5 - Started off nervous but as the game went on he grew, provided to assist to his team mates but they couldn't finish.
Manager:
Ranieri: 6 - His decision to start Nocerino back fired the player never got into the game, but Ranieri changed the game with is subs at halftime and the way he setup the team for the second half.
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