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Palermo 0-0 Genoa: Aquile And Grifoni Share Spoils In Entertaining Draw

The Rosanero failed to bridge the gap on the top four after fighting out an electric goalless draw with the Grifoni...

Nov 1, 2009 9:41:58 PM

Sculli & Cassani - Genoa-Palermo - Serie A (Grazia Neri)

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Sculli & Cassani - Genoa-Palermo - Serie A (Grazia Neri)

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Palermo were looking to close the gap on the top four when they hosted fellow European hopefuls Genoa in the Serie A weekend posticipo.

The side’s through everything at each other as they both came out with an attack approach which lent itself to great viewing. Despite the goalless first period, both keepers were kept extremely busy as the first half ended with a shot count of 14.

Despite throwing everything forward after the break neither side could find the winning goal as they both missed an opportunity to close in on the top four. Palermo were left to rue the referee’s decision not to award a first half penalty, whilst Genoa left more happy after matching the home side for fitness for over an hour.

The Rosanero came out fighting and Edinson Cavani thought he had broken the deadlock when he prodded the ball past Alessio Scarpi after just 120 seconds. Referee Brighi wasted no time in reaching for his pocket however, and the Uruguayan was quickly shown a yellow card for clearly knocking the ball home with an outstretched arm.

Genoa came fighting back and were looking extremely dangerous down the flanks as the Grifoni’s three man attack made full use of the wide areas to cut through the Palermo back line.

Walter Zenga’s men were equally as threatening up top however, and on the 15 minute mark Fabrizio Miccoli was fed in on goal by a wonderful through pass from Fabio Simplicio. After finding an intelligent angle from which to fire, the pint-sized hitman then had his shot blocked in spectacular fashion as Scarpi came storming off his line.

The game continued at an electric pace as both sides went direct, intent on being the first to open the deadlock.

On 31 minutes Raffaele Palladino put a powerful cross into the box after some wonderful solo work down the right. Unfortunately for the visitors there was nobody free direct the ball towards goal, and Cesare Bovo took no chances as he headed clear the danger.

Just 90 seconds later the Rosanero were going close up the other end when Mark Bresciano drove low and hard from over 20 yards. Despite the precision of the shot, Scarpi once again proved to be on form between the sticks as he got down at lightning quick pace to push the ball wide of the post.

Shortly before the break the Aquile were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box when Miccoli was pulled down by Marco Rossi. The visitors were lucky not to have conceded a penalty however, and on a second look, it was clear the Palermo skipper had been fouled within the box.

Miccoli Laments An Unawarded Penalty Kick

The sides picked up where they had left off before the break but it was Palermo who looked the more likely to score as the piled the pressure in and around the visitors box.

On 53 minutes the Rosanero had a great chance open the deadlock when Miccoli was awarded a free kick after being downed by Giuseppe Biava on the edge of the box. The Palermo skipper failed to take advantage however as he floated an effort high over the bar.

After keeping up a frightening pace for over an hour, the teams inevitably started to stretch as they failed to track back with as much diligence as in the opening period.

On 70 minutes Cavani looked to threaten as he cut inside from the deep to fire a low drive at Scarpi’s near post. The Genoa ‘keeper read the move well however, and he smothered the ball well with safe hands.

Just 15 minutes from time Simplicio fired a potent drive from way out, but Scarpi once again proved equal to the shot with a decisive block. For all their efforts the Rosanero were becoming increasingly frustrated, as they failed to find a way to find an opening goal.

Shortly before time Abel Hernandez almost scored what would have been a stunning match-winner when he connected onto Miccoli’s cross with a wonderful overhead kick. Unfortunately for Zenga’s side the shot finished just wide of the post and the Grifoni escaped another close call.

Despite throwing everything forward in search of a late winner, neither side found any joy in front of goal and were forced to settle for a point a piece. Palermo joined Cagliari on 16 points, whilst Genoa moved to within two points of fourth placed Milan.

Stefano Federici, Goal.com

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