Palermo - CSK privew

I wasn't make post for long time, so we are going back, we will take a look at great article that I found online about Palermo CSK match.
It’s a fixture that just as easily could’ve occurred in this year’s Champions League had both sides been able to accomplish their objectives last season. Instead, Palermo square off against Russian giants CSKA Moscow in a marquee matchup in Group F of the Europa League.
CSKA are a team with some very good players – not to mention some of the best names in football (Vagner Love, Keisuke Honda). On top of it all, they won the competition back in 2005 over Sporting. And of course, what makes this matchup even more crucial is the fact that CSKA are enjoying a more than comfortable undefeated run in Europa League play this season – averaging 3 goals per match while only conceding once in the tournament. If history is good for anything, the last time CSKA were in this competition (2008-09), the team won all of their group stage games averaging the previously mentioned 3 goals per match.
Meanwhile, Palermo has really sputtered along up until this point. They took the leap into the group stages by knocking out NK Maribor after making things difficult in the second match of the tie. Once into Group F, Palermo got off to a losing start against Sparta and followed that up by an unimpressive 1-0 win over Lausanne. Yet, the silver lining is that Palermo are playing at home where they’ve yet to concede in Europa League play. The team will need the Barbera to be as imposing as ever, because CSKA will not waste opportunities in front of goal the way Palermo’s previous opponents have.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. We all know that when Palermo are on form, they can and will beat anyone in their path. Let’s hope they follow suit tonight.



Of course, the lineup is only the proposed lineup that is often quite wrong, but nonetheless, it does give a good idea of what Delio Rossi is looking at. Benussi getting the start over Sirigu isn’t all that bad even if it seems unnecessary. The veteran put in a good showing against Lausanne but Moscow is an entirely different matter with quite the imposing strike force to boot.
The Palermo midfield is thinner than Mary Kate Olsen in a swimsuit. There are really no other options as both Slovenians are ineligible due to being cup-tied with Maribor and Joao Pedro isn’t anywhere near ready for the type of competition Palermo play today. Kasami will have to really step it up. His game is crucial to how the team will perform.
Up top the options are Pinilla and Maccarone. There are still some questions surrounding Abel’s fitness, but don’t be surprised if he gets a late start or makes an appearance. If the proposed lineup is correct, however, it’ll be a good look to see how Big Mac and the Chilean can work together. It’d be a mini-view of any future Miccoli-Pinilla pairing as well.
CSKA Moscow
AKINFEEV
A. BEREZUTSKI, IGNASHEVICH, V. BEREZUTSKI, SCHENNIKOV
MAMAYEV, SEMBERAS
TOSIC, DZAGOEV, GONZALEZ
VAGNER LOVE
Bench: Chepchugov, Honda, Doumbia, Necid, Rahimic, Oliseh, Aldonin
Most of these names might sound unfamiliar to you. However, Igor Akinfeev is a beast. He’s a young goalkeeper who has captured the eye of many big clubs – including Manchester United. He has yet to make the switch obviously, but he’s as good as Sirigu in goal. Since it seems he is starting, it means that Palermo’s strike force must be pinpoint accurate to score against him. Furthermore, the defense might not have any marquee names, but it is solid. Alexei Berezutski is a man after Goian’s height and he’s strong in the air.
The Moscow midfield lost their star in Milos Krasic but they really don’t miss him all that much given the options they have at their disposal. They have a young, 20 year old midfielder by the name of Alan Dzagoev who has scored 6 goals in 15 Russian Premier League matches. He’ll be flanked by Tosic and Liverpool washout Mark Gonzalez. The good news is that it appears Keisuke Honda will be given a rest and may only feature off the bench. For those who don’t remember, Honda made headlines during the World Cup with Japan and a move to a top European side never really occurred. Instead, he’s been happy to ply his trade in Moscow. He’s dangerous and it’s a tad reassuring to see him on the bench.
Up top, it’ll be all Vagner Love to bang in the goals – something he’s done for CSKA at an alarming rate. While the Brasilian has looked for a switch to an European giant, it has yet to occur, but it hasn’t stopped him from scoring. His name is bizarre, his hair style is questionable, but his scoring prowess is alarming. He’s only featured in 10 games in all competitions this season, but he has 8 goals to his name. Two years ago, he led the UEFA Cup scorer’s chart with 11 goals in 10 games. Whoever Palermo will feature in the back, they’re going to need to keep an eye on him and mark him closely.
One other player to watch currently on the proposed bench is Seydou Doumbia, the 22 year old Ivory Coast international. It’s his first season with CSKA Moscow, but he has 5 goals in 7 overall matches. He moved from Swiss side Young Boys where his two year tally was a ridiculous 49 goals in 37 games. I don’t care where you play, that is impressive.
Final Analysis
Well, the preview kind of depicts a dismal picture, but let’s not forget that Delio Rossi is a mastermind when it comes to tactics. The only thing that worries him (and myself) is the lack of options off the bench. The midfield will have to hold its own and Nocerino and Migliaccio will need to be on top of their games in particular. Nonetheless, any game at the Renzo Barbera gives the rosanero that extra edge. Palermo has a tendency to rise up for the big occasions. This is one of them. Forza Palermo!