The score may have ended 1-1 in the Derby di Sicilia, but the crown has to go to Catania. The rossazzurri are the kings of Sicily this season, having beaten Palermo 2-0 back in December and currently holding a five-point advantage over their island rivals. Nicola Legrottaglie put Catania ahead on 25 minutes, but Fabrizio Miccoli answered shortly after the restart, leaving divided spoils for the day, if not the season.
Palermo vs. Catania, 2012 Serie A: Sicilian Stalemate, A Goal For Each
You have to think Catania could have taken this match if it weren’t for unfortunate injuries. The visitors welcomed back Pablo Barrientos, who was instrumental in the goal, heading on an Alejandro Gomez cross to where Legrottaglie was waiting on the far post. Alas, Barrientos found himself hurting again before the end of the match. Cristian Llama came on in his place, only to have to come off with injury three minutes later. Sergio Almiron also pulled up with injury.
When Gonzalo Bergessio, Gomez and Barrientos are all on the pitch, it’s a different Catania, it’s a rossazzurri that can genuinely compete. Palermo just don’t have that spark this season. Josep Ilicic is inconsistent, Abel Hernandez prone to mistakes, Miccoli aging. The derby may have ended divided, but it doesn’t cover the rosanero cracks in the season --Palermo need an off-season refresher to reconquer Sicily.
See More:
