Fábio Simplício came off the bench to tally the match-winner for Palermo. (Photo: Newscom)
Palermo rebounded from last week’s disappointing performance at Bari thanks to a late goal from Fábio Simplício, earning a 2-1 victory over free-felling Parma.
Though Palermo had been the better side throughout the match, Parma gave themselves hope of getting a point at the Renzo Barbera through Johnathan Biabiany’s 72nd minute equalizer.
But the loss dropped the Gialloblu to thirteenth in the table – winless in their last six, with five losses.
Conversely, Palmero climbed to fifth place, with last week’s loss at Bari their only defeat in nine.
The victory over Parma was Palermo’s fifth win in a row at home.
After a opening half devoid of good scoring chances, Palermo finally broke through toward the middle of the second, with Uruguayan striker Edíson Cavani scoring his fifth goal in seven matches.
Cavani’s goal came off a header flicked on goal after a Fabrizio Miccoli free kick, the shot arcing to Antonio Mirantei’s far post, giving the keeper little chance to stop the attempt.
After the goal Palermo continued their control of the match, making Biabiany’s goal all the more surprising. A beautiful pass by Paolo Castellini put the French striker behidn the defender with plenty of room to set-up goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. With the goalie off his line to try and cut off the angles, Biabiany curled the equalizer side the far post, making it 1-1 in the 72nd minute.
It was Parma’s first meaningful scoring chance of the match.
The opportunity came on the counter after Cavani was dispossessed by Daniele Gallopa after some nice work at the arch. Palermo felt Gallopa had fouled Cavani, and replays showed the midfielder made contact high on Cavani’s leg before coming down on the ball. Within seconds, Parma had countered for their goal.
A Delio Rossi substitute would make up for Palermo’s one mistake, with Brazilian midfielder Fábio Simplício’s 15-meter drive giving the hosts the victory.
The goal was again set-up by Miccoli, who Christian Zaccardo allowed to win a ball in the box. Facing up the veteran defender, Miccoli rolled a pass back and to the middle for Simplício, who had both side of goal to chose from. A first-touch strike gave Mirante no chance to save the match-winner.
Of note for Parma was the debut of Luis Jimenez, who made his first appearance for the club after coming over from Internazionale on loan. The Chilean started and played sixty minutes without creating a meaningful scoring opportunity.
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