Serie A, PALERMO-LAZIO, Sunday, 21-02-10

from what I saw we did and the fact palermo played on counters and never put us under pressure for a long time proves it ( Have in mind I watched ar. 40 mins from the game! )

Well, just saw the highlights and well...not much to add. We didn't look like we ever had a chance. Of course, it's hard when you're down 0-1 after 1 minute of play. Then 0-2 after a penalty. Regardless, horrible. I know Palermo is undefeated at home, but still...3-1 is quite horrible.

Regardless, if this wasn't the biggest F*CK YOU to Lotito courteous of Rossi I don't know what would be! Kinda strange to see Rossi on the bench of Palermo chomping on his gum.

F YOU, LOTITO!

Caxi wrote:

I needed some time to dwell on this one.

Firstly, if it was Ballardini on the bench yesterday, all we would see here today is BALLARDINI VATTENE rather than "I like what I saw" (apologies Roman, not directing this at just you). I can't help but feel the wool is already being pulled over eyes.

Because here is how I see it:

1. The game was over within 1 minute because Biava was asleep and coming back against Palermo, in Sicily, is near impossible.
2. I see the exact same miscommunication problems we had when Ballardini took over and I get the feeling Reja won't be as keen to sort that out.
3. We often had 7 men in midfield with Dias pushing forward and Zarate dropping back and yet Nocerino and Pastore had a field day despite being heavily outnumbered.
4. We were all out attacking and it still took a wondergoal to break our duck.
5. Miccoli dive claims only mask the fact Muslera should never be one-on-one with him in that position. Ever.

Only thing I can take from Reja so far is that I enjoyed the last couple of games from a footballing perspective. But have we solved anything? In my opinon, no.

Well, if it would have been Ballardini to put Zárate on the bench then everything we would hear would be "Ballardini vattene" as well. The difference is that we have a new manager and that you have give him credit for going in to it with the right attitude. The difference is that we know how to play next game and that it will probobly get better when the players have more time to adept to the system. The difference is that Reja still make rational decisions while Ballardini was getting desperate in his last games.

Don't get me wrong Caxi. We often have different opinions on La Lazio but when it came to Ballardini we both defended some of his actions until the end. For me, Ballardini was an OK tactician, but he lacked the passion to withstand the pressure from above. I was just as frustrated as you to always read insults after whatever decisions he made.

But, he lost it in the end. It got to a point where the he lost control and confidence. When a manager don't have credability among his own players then he has to be replaced. It was exactly the same with Rossi. And I continue to argue that this is not the managers fault, but the managements. The contract policy was all wrong from the beginning and now you see the result with a squad that is extra large. And probobly it will only get worse next year with many unhappy players as a result.

Speaking about Rossi and the game. He said after it that Palermo controlled it all along. I didn't see the game so I can't comment, but if Rossi says a thing like that I have to believe him. Palermo away is difficult, and Rossi's 4-3-1-2 is perfect when you take an early lead. Not much to do for a team that is weeker both on paper and in reality.