Palermo v Newcastle, Or: UEFA Cup, USCHMEFA Cup
By: Martha | November 3rd, 2006
Here’s what I think: Palermo are good. Inconsistent, but good. Newcastle are bad. Depressingly, laughably, horribly bad. (And yes, they’re my favorite EPL team and have been for years, why do you ask?) Their shared UEFA Cup game yesterday, which I turned off in disgust after about two minutes (apparently I missed a blinder of a performance from Newcastle’s 12-year-old debutant keeper, but I think I’ll survive) was one of those depressing games that happens when teams without huge squads (or, in the case of Newcastle, with a cursed training ground that results in every striker suffering a major injury shortly after arrival AND a non-huge squad) have to play a Cup game the Thursday before a weekend league match: It was played by makeshift teams, and was boring and sloppy.
It’d be different if they weren’t joint TOP OF THE TABLE at home, but really, how many Palermo fans (and, in their hearts of hearts, players) disagreed with the club president when he casually opined the other day that it might be best for all involved for the team to crash out of the Cup ASAP? If they hope to actually compete for the Scudetto (oh please please please), a team that’s not exhausted and held together with bits of string and tape will be nice, come February. I mean, I know silverware is nice and all, but we’re talking about the Scudetto here! Forget that silly, second-tier European trophy. (The Newcastle fan in my head, meanwhile, is wondering just how bad it would be to be relegated, if that was the cost of winning the UEFA Cup.)
(And, in other Italian UEFA Cup news, Livorno drew 1-1 with Partizan Belgrade when their keeper snuck upfield and scored on a late corner. Nice.)
Image from ilpalermocalcio.it
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Comments
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yea .. hes a moron .. like for a small club, how could you not wnat to win th UEFA Cup, especially when you have the best team there by a mile … any way credit has to go to newcastles GK
Posted from
Australia
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I don’t think Zamparini is an idiot, just rather realistic. Palermo have a legitimate shot at automatic qualification for the Champion’s League next season and possibly (crossing fingers) a shot at the scudetto. If that means sacrificing a bit in the UEFA Cup, I’m okay with that. Champion’s League means millions of dollars which results in larger transfer budgets, which leads to a larger squad with better players and then to sustained success. It’s the smart move. That said, they should have thumped Newcastle with their reserves.
Posted from
United States -
yea but if you win UEFA cup, it gives you pride, and also million as well… you only make big money in CL if you make it to quarter finals and beyond,
Posted from
Australia
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