Palermo today were crowned Serie A Champions, something that they had never achieved before. Fans were delighted with Mr Drezzy and his team, they had won two major trophies in the past week.
But Palermo were crowned champions by the narrowest of margins, as 2nd Place inter Milan finished on the same points. 80, but with one less goal.
---------- Post added at 01:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 AM ----------
U.S Palermo 0 - 1 Napoli From Olimpico, Rome, Att:- 70538 Cavani (11)
Before
Palermo had one left game of the season, and they believed they could topple Napoli today to win the cup
After
Palermo ruled the match, but as soon as Napoli took the lead, Palermo found it hard to break them down. Cavani scored from 25 yards out against his former team.
Napoli went down to 10 men on 50 minutes but Palermo couldn't make their man advantage count, going down 1-0 in the final.
Piatti was furious after the game, as he was hacked down on 90 minutes inside the area, with replays suggesting it should have been a penalty
will have a look once ive done the european update
---------- Post added at 03:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:44 AM ----------
England: At a glance
F.A Premier League
There was a stunning finale to the season, as 4 teams had the chance to win the title, but it was Ultimately Tottenham Hotspur who finished in first place, 2 points ahead of Manchester United. Chelsea finished in 3rd. whilst Manchester City finished 4th.
Fulham were the surprise team of the year, finishing in 5th to earn Europa League Football next season.
Arsene Wenger was sacked by Arsenal as they finished a dismal 9th.
1: Tottenham Hotspurs 78 Points
2: Manchester United 76 Points
3: Chelsea 75 Points
4: Manchester City 75 Points
5: Fulham 68 Points
6: Everton 64 Points
7: Stoke City 60 Points
8: West Ham 58 Points
9: Arsenal 56 Points
10: Liverpool 48 Points
11: Newcastle United 48 Points
12: Sunderland 47 Points
13: Wolverhampton Wanderers 44 Points
14: Blackburn Rovers 44 Points
15: Bolton Wanderers 44 Points
16: Blackpool 40 Points
17: Aston Villa 39 Points
----------
18: (R) West Brom 32 Points
19: (R) Birmingham City 30 Points
20: (R) Wigan Athletic 29 Points
F.A Cup, sponsored by EON
The final saw two unfancied teams go head to head, as Premier League Stoke City played Ipswich Town, with Ipswich winning the game 2-1 and lifting the F.A Cup
Ipswich entered the competition in the 3rd round, and beat QPR 1-0 at home whilst Stoke City defeated Reading 4-1 at home. The shock of the round saw Norwich knock out Manchester City at Carrow Road, 1-0
In the Fourth Round, Stoke City hosted Arsenal and surprisingly saw them off 5-2 in a brilliant game. Meanwhile, Ipswich played Liverpool at Portman road, winning by a small margin, 1-0.
In the Fifth round, Stoke welcomed Chelsea to the Britannia and walloped them 3-0. Whilst Ipswich won on penalties after holding Tottenham 2-2
It was Quarter final time when Stoke City knocked out Blackburn 2-0 whilst Ipswich knocked out Swansea in the Liberty Stadium. the shock of the round was Manchester United 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City
In The Semi Finals, Ipswich eased past Cardiff City, winning 2-0, whilst Stoke knocked out Championship Middlesbrough 1-0
Carling League Cup
Stoke City delighted their fans when they defeated Tottenham Hotspurs in the final, 2-1.
Stoke started the competition in the 3rd round, and they knocked out Chelsea, winning 2-1. Tottenham also entered at this stage, winning the north London Derby 2-1 to knock Arsenal out. The shock of the round has to be Bristol City knocking out West Ham on penalties, after a 3-3 draw.
In the fourth round, Tottenham edged out Manchester City at White Hart Lane, 3-2 on the night whilst Stoke dominated Blackpool 3-0 at home. The shock of the round saw Birmingham City defeat Manchester United 2-0 at St.Andrews
In the game of the Quarter Finals, Tottenham bested Blackburn 4-3 at white heart lane whilst Stoke snuck past Newcastle United 2-1, with the shock of the round coming when Doncaster Rovers knocked out West Brome, 2-0
In the Semi finals, Stoke eased past Doncaster 6-3 on aggregate, but they did suffer a 3-2 defeat at Home. And Tottenham won 4-0 on aggregate against Wolves
PSG won the league this year, but there wasn't much between the top four teams. There wasn't much as in shocks this year in France, apart from Girondins Bordeaux getting relegated.
1: PSG 68 Points
2: LOSC Lille Metropole 65 Points
3: Olympique Marsaille 64 Points
4: Olympique Lyonnais 63 Points
5: FC Sochaux-Montbe 61 Points
6: AS Saint-Etienne 59 Points
7: AJ Auxerre 59 Points
8: AS Monaco FC 57 Points
9: Toulouse 55 Points
10: RC Lens 52 Points
11: FC Lorient 51 Points
12: Montpellier Herault SC 47 Points
13: Stade Brestois 29 44 Points
14: Stade Rennais FC 44 Points
15: OGC Nice 44 Points
16: Stade Malherbe Caen 43 Points
17: AS Nancy Lorraine 41 Points
----------
18: (R) AC Arles-Avignon 39 Points
19: (R) Girondins Bordeaux 35 Points
20: (R) Valenciennes FC 35 Points
Coupe de France
The final saw a strong favourite against a major Under Dog as AJ Auxerre defeated OGC Nice 2-0, to lift the cup
Aj Auxerre entered the competition in the ninth round, barely beating Saint-Etienne 3-2 away from home. Whilst OGC Nice travelled to AC Ajaccio and won 2-0. The shock of the round has to be Stade Malherbe Caen knocking out Lyonnais in Lyon's back yard, 2-1 after extra time
in the Tenth Round, OGC Nice easily beat Stade Bordelais 3-0 away from home whilst AJ Auxerre made hard work away at SC Bastia, finally winning 2-0 in extra time. The shock of the round came when AS Cannes knocked out Bordeaux 1-0 at home
The 11th round saw OGC Nice travel to AS Moulins, a game in which they drew 2-2 and had to go through on penalties. Meanwhile, Auxerre easily knocked out Marsaille, 2-0 at the Velodrome. Tours FC shocked RC Lens 3-2, surely the result of the round
In the Quarter Finals, Stade Malgerbe Caen were knocked out on penalties by OGC Nice, after a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, Auxerre defeated Chateauroux 2-1 at home
Both finalists had to go through on penalties as OGC Nice drew with tours and AJ Auxerre drawing 2-2 with PSG
Coupe De La Ligue
PSG ended up winning a very tense and tight final 1-0 over AS Monaco
Both teams started the competition in the fourth round with PSG winning 2-1 at home against AC Arles Avignon whilst Monaco edged past FC Lorient 2-1 at home. Havre AC caused a huge upset as they knocked out RC Lens 1-0
In the Quarter finals, PSG won 2-1 at home again, this time knocking out AS Nancy Lorraine. As Monaco travelled to Valenciennes and won 2-1.
In the Semi finals, PSG won 2-1 at home yet again, booking their place in the final at the cost of LOSC Lille Metropole going out. In the other Semi final, Montpellier held Monaco to a 1-1 draw but lost on penalties
---------- Post added at 03:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:37 AM ----------
Bayern Munchen won the title this year by a margin of 8 points. But the big surprise was Mainz finishing in 2nd place whilst Dortmund managed to survive the drop by the skin of their teeth..
The final saw Leverkusen paired up with Energie Cottbus, with the Bundesliga team having to rely on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Both teams entered in the 1st round with Leverkusen easily crushing Trier 4-0 away from home, whilst Cottbus won 2-0 at Hansa Rostock. The shocking result saw Aalen defeat HSV 3-0 at home.
In the second round, Cottbus needed extra time to see of Union Berlin 2-1 whilst Leverkusen defeated Sandhausen 3-1 away from home. Gladbach were stunned as they crashed out to Ingolstadt 2-0
Leverkusen struggled to over come Hoffenheim away from home, finally winning 1-0 whilst Cottbus made easy work of defeating Ingolstadt 3-1 away from home in the third round
Cottbus shocked Dortmund at home, winning 1-0 whilst Leverkusen defeated VFL Bochum 2-1 in Bochum
And finally, in the Semi Finals Cottbus shocked Koln 1-0 in Koln and Leverkusen barely beat Frankfurt 1-0 at the Bay Arena
Racing Santander won the final of the Copa Del Ray, defeating Athletic 3-1 on the night.
Both teams entered the cup in the fourth round with Athletic knocking out Zaragoza 5-3 on aggregate and Racing knocking out Girona 4-1 on Aggregate. The shock of the round came when Huesca knocked out Getafe 4-3 on aggregate.
In the fifth round, Racing saw of Real Sociedad 6-2 on aggregate whilst Athletic knocked out Spoting 8-2 on aggregate.
Onto the Quarter finals and Racing defeated Barcelona on away goals after drawing 2-2 on aggregate. Athletic only just made it past Sevilla, winning 3-2 on aggregate. Real Madrid were knocked out by Hercules 4-1 on aggregate, after losing 3-0 in the second leg at home
In the Semi Finals, Racing eased past Hercules 5-1 on aggregate and Athletic needed an away goal to see of Valencia, 2-2 it finished
---------- Post added at 06:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:26 AM ----------
Pre-Season Over View
With a thrilling and brilliant season behind them, which saw Palermo win the Europa League and The Serie A for the first time in their history, Palermo now have to start concentrating on the coming season, where they look to consolidate their position in Serie A and play Champions League football for the first time.
As every one jetted away on their holidays for a months rest, Palermo confirmed that they have signed Mr Drezzy for a further 2 years, bumping his wages up to a rumoured €30,000 a week.
Fulham Qualify for Europe, and want to test them selves against the top teams, So Palermo were invited to a challenge match in West London. It will be Palermo's first game of the pre season.
Then Palermo travel back home to take on Zaragoza, who are holding a pre season tour of Italy.
Palermo then head to Spain them selves, for a training camp in Malaga which will finish with a game against Malaga.
Palermo kick off their season in the Italian Super Cup, as they go up against the team that beat them in the Italian Cup final, Napoli. Palermo's first game of the season is away at Bari and then Palermo travel to France to play Barcelona in the European Super Cup final. Then Palermo travel to Turin to play Juventus and then away at Chievo.
It was Palermo's first pre season game, and Mr Drezzy wanted to see how fit his squad was after just 3 days back from the Squad break
After
Palermo were shell shocked in the first 2 minutes, conceding 2 goals. But Palermo played really well, winning the match 4-2. A Brilliant game.
U.S Palermo 2 - 0 Zaragoza From Renzo Barbera, La Favorita, Palermo, Att:- 19685 Hernandez (26), Kadlec (90+1)
Before
Again, Mr Drezzy wanted to see how his team progressed with their fitness, and wanted to see how the new signings were blending in
After
A game which lacked alot of pace but Palermo were professional, easily winning 2-0
Malaga 2 - 3 U.S Palermo La Rosaleda, Malaga, Att:- 25585 Baptista (6, 13) Lukaku (1), Hernandez (5), Kadlec (85)
Before
Palermo had trained in Malaga all week and finished it off with a game against Malaga
After
Palermo were Brilliant today, scoring 2 goals early on. How ever, a slight worry has to be the way they conceded a 2 goal lead. But most of the team were away on international duty. Dean Parrett was sent off for a cynical tackle on 71 minutes but Kadlec managed to steal the winner on 85 minutes. 3-2
U.S Palermo 5 - 0 Napoli From Renzo Barbera, La Favorita, Palermo, Att:- 36822 Lukaku (7, 41), Hernandez (46, 74), Piatti (86)
Before
Palermo were in good form and good spirits, and they had a great chance against a Napoli side who hadn't even had a pre season friendly yet, choosing to play a couple of games after this match
After
Palermo's superior fitness showed today, as palermo ran rings around a tired Napoli side, Lukaku scoring the first two goals, both bullet shots. 2-0 at half time.
After the break, Palermo were even better with Abel Hernandez tearing the Napoli defence apart twice, scoring on 46 and 74 minutes. And finally, Piatti completed the mauling of Napoli with a perfectly curled free kick on 86 minutes. Palermo win the Super Coppa Italianna
Bari 2 -3 U.S Palermo From San Nicola, Bari, Att:- 29170 Barreto (67), Ghezzal (87) Llorente(5), Lukaku (17), Hazard (66)
Before Mr Drezzy had found Bari to be a difficult customer last season, and he relayed his fears to the Italian Champions.
After
Palermo showed confidence today, with Llorente getting his first ever goal for the club, heading home after 5 minutes. It was then Lukaku's turn to score as Llorente played him through, Lukaku scooping the ball home.
A moment of madness saw Manga get sent off for Bari, after a two footed lunge on Piatti. Bari were down to 10 men and they conceded their 3rd when Eden Hazard tapped home after the Barti keeper fumbled a Hernandez shot.
But 1 minutes later Barreto blasted home from 30 yards and 3 minutes from the end, Ghezzal gave Palermo a scare when he headed home, but Bari couldn't find anything else and the Italian Champions win 3-2
The group stages for the Champions league were drawn today, and in Group A, there will be a battle of Britain as Tottenham will play Rangers. The two favourites to go through are Tottenham and Lille, with Rangers favourites to take the Europa League place
Group A
Tottenham Hotspurs
Rangers
LOSC Lille Metropole
Helsingborg
European Champions Barcelona are favourites to go through along with Sporting of Portugal, and Spartak Moscow are tipped for the Europa League place
Group B
Barcelona
Sporting CP
Spartak Moscow
Zurich
In Group C, Palermo make their Champions League Debut but they will have it all to do. They've been drawn with a team that they played in the Europa League last season, AEK Athens. They will also have to play Atletico Madrid, who caused Palermo major problems in the semi finals last year, and English side Chelsea.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are favourites to advance, with AEK and Palermo left to fight it out for the Europa League place
Group C
Chelsea
Atletico Madrid
Palermo
AEK Athens
In Group D, German side Mainz make their Champions League debut but their group is a tough one, as Inter are favourites to go through with Dynamo Kyiv, leaving Ajax and Mainz to fight it out for the Europa League place
Group D
Inter Milan
Ajax
Dynamo Kyiv
Mainz
Group E is probably the weakest group, with Manchester United heavy favourites to go through. They are joined with Sheriff, Besiktas and Panathinaikos
Group E
Manchester United
Panathinaikos
Besiktas
Sheriff
Juventus and Sevilla are favourites to qualify from Group F, but both teams know they will have to get a result against PSG. Apollon join them in the group
Group F
Sevilla
Juventus
PSG
Apollon L
Italian side Udinese are in the Group stage, and they were drawn against FC Bayern. But they'll be hopeful of qualification as Zenit St Petersburg and Rapid Wien were drawn against them.
Group G
FC Bayern
Zenit
Udinese
SK Rapid Wein
And finally, there is a mouth watering tie in Group H as Real Madrid will play Manchester City. Both teams are favourites to advance as they were drawn with Rapid of Romania and Dutch outfit, FC Twente
Group H
Real Madrid
Rapid Buc.
Manchester City
FC Twente
Barcelona 3 -4 U.S Palermo From Stade Louis II, Monaco Att:- 17411 David Villa (9, 15), Busquets (67) Galeano (8), Lukaku (13), Henrique (24), Hazard (86)
Before Barcelona were the team to beat in Europe, they were European Champions. Mr Drezzy knew that if Palermo went out to defend, then they would get slaughtered. It was time to play them at their own game.
After
What a game! it was end to end stuff, some brilliant football was on display today. Galeano headed Palermo into the lead after just 8 minutes, heading in a Pastore Corner. If Barcelona had a weak point, it was in the air. But Palermo's lead didn't last 30 seconds, as Messi played through Villa who just doesn't miss one on ones, 1-1 after 9 minutes.
Palermo attacked again and had been awarded a corner, Pastore whipped the ball in and Lukaku forced his header in, 2-1 to Palermo. But like before, their lead didn't last long, with Messi weaving his way past 3 defenders, playing in Villa who scored again.
The pace died down a little, with Barcelona running things, but Pastore tackled Zavi and blasted the ball forward to Lukaku, who headed the ball down to Paulo Henrique, who found himself one on one with the keeper. He looked down and just blasted the ball, which found it's way into the net. 3-2 to Palermo.
It stayed that way, with new signing De Gea pulling off some great saves. After half time, on 50 minutes, Xavi had the ball in the net, but the referee cancelled it as he believed Xavi had handled the ball. But Barcelona were soon on level terms after Busquets tapped the ball home after De Gea done really well to stop a Messi shot.
Barcelona looked as if they would go onto win, but 4 minutes before the game went to penalties, the ball bounced up nicely for Hazard who hit a half volley, beating the out stretching Valdes. 4-3 to Palermo.
But Barcelona wouldn't give up and Messi got past Bovo, he was clear on goal....but Galeano came diving in and took Messi out. Galeano was sent off but he probably saved Palermo from conceding. From the resulting free kick, Iniesta hit the post and Palermo managed to keep the lead, winning a thrilling final 4-3
it was a late winner, but surely a great one! brilliant updates buddy! nice friendly results! super cup and european super cup winners! tough champs league group though! keep it up!
After the Brilliant display in Monaco, Mr Drezzy wanted more of the same, and planned to attack Juventus from the start.
After
Palermo totally dominated this match, WIth Llorente scoring again, on 23 with a towering headed goal. Lukaku continued his fine form, when he volleyed home a Pastore cross, 2-0 to Palermo and no sign of a Juventus come back. A few minutes later, on 37 minutes, Llorente headed in yet another goal, making it 3-0 to Palermo.
It was 3-0 to Palermo at half time with the only sour note coming when Piatti was stretchered off injured on 32 minutes.
On 60 minutes, Krasic pulled one back for Juventus, but their hopes of a super comeback were quickly dashed because just two minutes later, Lukaku slotted the ball through Buffons legs, to make it 4-1. And then, Pastore scored a lovely free kick to kill any Juventus comeback, 5-1.
But a lack of cencentration at the back, saw Chiellini nod into an empty net, but Palermo were the better side and win 5-2
Adriano Siragusa
Adriano Siragusa departs Palermo this season after a tug and war battle between Napoli and Atletico Madrid. Originally priced at €800,000, Palermo were delighted with the final price they received, €6 Million. Napoli dropped out of the bidding and Siragusa finds himself wearing Atletico Madrid coulours now
Andrea Adamo
Adamo demanded that he was given first team football, and after being told that this would not be an option, Pescara swooped in and signed him for €700,000. A deal which pleased all parties.
Roberto Guana
After finding himself in the reserve team ever since Mr Drezzy took over, Palermo and Guana agreed that it may be time for the player to leave. He attracted minimal interest but Mainz were happy to stump up the €1 Million asking price
David Succi
David Succi was told he didn't have a future at Palermo, and he was promptly sold to Racing Santander for €950,000.
Alberto Gilardino
After failing to impress at Palermo, Gilardino was loaned out to Juventus for a fee €3 Million. The loan will be for the entire season and he can play in cup matches, but not against Palermo
Nicolas Bertolo
Bertolo was a fringe player at Palermo, but Mr Drezzy thought he could at some point break into the first team, but when Mainz came in with a €5 Million bid, Palermo accepted straight away.
Francesco Benussi
Benussi was the back up keeper at Palermo, and could never find his way into the first team. After the arrival of David DeGea, he was promptly sold to a very keen Aston Villa for €3.5 Million
Igor Budan
Igor Budans contract was coming to an end, but surprisingly Chievo came in with a €6 Million bid, so Palermo accepted and Budan is now a Chievo player.
There were other players who left, all on frees, Fabio Liverani, Emanuele Terranova, Paolo Carbonaro, Eros Pellegrini, Guido Davi, Giammarco Corsino, Giuseppe Polizzi and Rosaria Costantino
---------- Post added at 11:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 PM ----------
Players In
Milan Milanovic
Milan Milanovic agreed to join Palermo a year ago, once his contract with Lokomotiv Moscow finished. Milan joins on a free
Matteo Darmian
Matteo Darmian aslo joins Palermo on a free transfer, After failing to agree a new contract with A.C.Milan, Palermo swooped in 6 months ago.
Fernando Llorente
After loaning out Gilardino to Juventus, Mr Drezzy wanted a good striker who could help out his current and young strike force. After 2 weeks of back and forth negotiations, Llorente signed for €16 Million.
Mamadou Sakho
Mr Drezzy wanted to bolster his defence, and he saw the perfect man being promising Mamadou Sakho. But he did come and a hefty €16.7 Million
David Degea
Atletico Madrid offered DeGea to Palermo for €16 Million. and after negotiating a better deal for Palermo, DeGea signed for €10 Million, whilst the rest is payable over 48 months
