Palermo v Roma: Holy Freaking Awesome

By: Martha | August 26th, 2007

I’m king of the world! I’m sure Chris and Kevin will have detailed reports up later, but suffice to say, that was a fantastic match.

Roma were utter magic in the first half, moving and playing almost instinctively (sort of the opposite of Juve’s weird domination yesterday), and just opening Palermo up at will. If they’re looking this good in the first game, I really do fear for the rest of the league. They were creating all kinds of openings, so it was probably appropriate that one of the goals (Mexes’) was a tap-in, and the other was a bomb from about 35 yards by Alberto Aquilani, AKA The New King of the World. And I don’t watch Roma that much, but Totti looked healthy to me for the first time in a while. He was everywhere, and all kinds of confident on the ball — I think his backheel total was at about 194 by the time he was subbed out.

The second half started similarly and, were it not for at least three stunning saves by Fontana, the scoreline would have been much, much worse. Gradually, though, Palermo got back into the game, and there was a stretch of maybe 10-15 minutes in the middle of the half where they just laid siege to the Roma goal, hitting the post first, then getting a shot saved from two yards out, and finally somehow failing to tap the ball is as it rolled slowly across the box. And pretty much everything good that happened went through Miccoli — that guy is a freaking MONSTER, albeit a very small one. He never stops running, always always plays a useful ball, and is scary intense. I want him on my team.

In the end, Roma certainly deserved the victory, but the scoreline in no way reflects how good Palermo are, at least when you ignore their periodically disappearing defense. Holy crap this is going to be a great season.

[Also: What is going on with the back of the Palermo jerseys? They all look like they had bleach spilled on them below the numbers, but surely not everyone could have had the same laundry accident. Is there a really, really poorly designed logo down there, or something?]

Some Related Serie A Posts:

Category: Palermo, Roma, Rumors & News, Serie A

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Martha

Paolo, Fontanta's clearly trying to convince Crazy Zampa that they don't need Amelia. I'm guessing it worked.

I was thinking the same thing, Marco -- I wonder if Ranieri watched that match thinking "Are you freaking kidding me?!"

Steven, there was also an AWFUL Barzagli error early, which must have had Donadoni absolutely freaking out about what he's going to do against France. He did calm down, though, which was reassuring. And I'd believe your theory if Miccoli's shirt was free of the white spot, but since he had one too, it just falls apart. Surely even Totti wouldn't go for a guy with stripes in his eyebrow.
Steven

It was a very interesting game, but what the hell happened with the Palermo-defense in the first five minutes? It looked like they were all still havin' a pre-match espresso e corno. second goal, Fontana-mistake, but he made up for it by keeping out everything else. Roma were the better team, but i can't image a draw being totally unfair. Miccoli was amazing, Cavani's shot should've gone in and at least one of the headers that hit the bar should also've gone in. As for the white stuff on the shirts: Totti was just so happy being around 11 handsome guys again he doesn't take a shower with every day, that he came on every single one.
Marco

I never understood why Juve let Miccoli go. He's an amazing player when he's in form, and he showed it over and over again at Benfica. Now that Juve sold Zalayeta, they could really use a guy like Miccoli... :(
Paolo

in the first half Roma had a success rate of 90% on ball passing. SICK! Amazing game that was fun to watch. How about Old Man Fontana? He made some huge saves keeping Palermo in it, too bad they couldn't repay him with a goal or 2.

As for Serie A on FSC, I watched this game on a local channel that broadcasts Serie A but Caught the Inter game on it. The sole commentator was not bad. A lot better from what they had last season.
Ashley

Enzo that's no fluke of your imagination, FSC will show 4 Serie A games each week because they have bought the rights for the next 3 years. They'll show Roma v Siena next week and Milan v whoever-I-don't-care also and two other games.
Julian

* if we had
Julian

Shit was that an amazing game. with de rossi an aquilani in midfield it woulndt matter with we hade prede, rosella,sensi and spaletti playing in defence.
Enzo

Is FSC going to be showing 4 serie A matches each week including the Sunday night match or was this just a first week gift?
chris

That Roma, they're, uh, good?

Yeah, good. Real good.
Marco420

it was a great game indeed.

Would of liked to see a little more Cicinho, especially with him playing the wing