Thursday, August 4, 2011

Thun-Palermo (Europa League, 19:30)

Thun – Palermo

First game ended 2-2 when Thun managed to open the score early at 6’ and Palermo equalized with a long shot of Ilicic at 13’ Palermo in first half lost too many chances and after the beak Palermo lost confidence and conceded 1-2. Just 2 minutes before the end Palermo equalized 2-2 with a free kick by Miccoli.

The game will be played on synthetic grass. Weather will be cool around 20 degrees (rainy weather). AT the moment in Palermo the weather is sunny, around 30 degrees.

Palermo to reach qualification needs to win, or to draw at last 3-3, 4-4. The results 0-0, 1-1 will qualify Thun, with the result 2-2 will be extra-time, or penalty shots.

Thun are having a good run. They managed to draw the first game in Palermo, and 2-2 can be a fair result considering the pressure of Palermo in first half and the chances created and wasted by them. In league Thun managed to draw (0-0) against Luzerne and now is still on the top. They used a defensive style game and so they continue with their positive run.

For today game, striker Lustrinelli (3/1) is suspended, while defender Reinmann (2/0) is doubtful. The replacement of Lustrinelli in attack will be Lezcano (3/0)

Manager of Thun is optimistic as he say that even if Palermo is favorite, his team cannot make wrong steps and he believes in qualification. The only worry for him remains striker Lustrinelli, who is a key and big blow for the team.

Thun probable (4-2-3-1):
Da Costa- Luthi, Schindelholz, Matic, Schneider-Wittwer, Baeting, Schneuwly, Sanogo, Demiri-Lazcano

Palermo were looked out of form in their first game and even with a great support of 20.000 fans they made wrong steps allowing too much empty spaces to Thun. Palermo managed to score 2-2 at 92’ after Miccoli scored a free kick around 18 meters long.

New coach Pioli mentioned that his team this week did a extra training and now they feel stronger. The objective is the win, they are focused only to win this game and of course Palermo seems motivated as they cannot be eliminated so fast.

Striker Pinilla is injured in last game and today will miss. In his place will play Miccoli from the first minute. In his press conference Miccoli said that he is an old striker and has a lot of European experience. He promise to Palermo fans that his team will win 2-0.

Palermo most probable team (3-4-2-1):
Benussi-Munoz, Bovo, Mantovani-Cassani, Migliaccio, Nocerino, Balzaretti-Ilicic, Zahavi-Miccoli

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