Bari-Palermo 0-3, goals from Le Douaron, Pohjanpalo and Ranocchia on a penalty

To stay up there, after all, you need brains. Palermo hits it twice in ten minutes and handles the Bari practice with ease: the rosanero play a second half as a superior category, scoring with two goreds (Le Douaron and Pohjanpalo, different but both splendid) and a penalty from Ranocchia. Inzaghi got what he asked for: a show of strength to keep Monza in third place, at least for one night. For Bari it’s a black Friday: zero shots on target, Cesena’s progress already cancelled. It ends 3-0 for the Sicilians.

bani, what a waste

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In the red and whites, compared to the trip to Cesena, Rao and De Pieri are confirmed, but the striker changes: Moncini in place of Gytkjaer. In the rosanero Segre is relegated to the midfield, leaving space in the attacking midfield for Le Douaron, in support of Pohjanpalo with Palumbo. Only two flare-ups in the first half, both by Palermo. The first in the 11th minute: Augello triggers Segre who in turn touches for Le Douaron, whose shot ends up out of nowhere. The second becomes the tastiest chance of the entire half: a corner frees Segre’s shot, Cerofolini responds badly and Bani incredibly manages to send the rebound from two meters skyrocketing. Bari thanks Lady Luck but curses her shortly afterwards, when Rao, the only one who gave the feeling of being able to sting on the counterattack, stopped due to a muscular problem.

tris palermo

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In the second half Inzaghi moves the rooks and checks twice. The first in the 57th minute, when Ceccaroni’s left-footed cross meets Le Douaron’s stunning aerial twist: the ball ends up under the top corner, the Frenchman clears the red and whites like in the first leg. Longo asks for a shake-up with the substitutions who are also new signings: Cuni and Cavuoti enter in the final half hour, a reaction wanted. And instead Palermo scores a goal from PlayStation to double their lead: 66′, remote-controlled left foot by Palumbo for the insertion of Pohjanpalo who crushes the 2-0 in anger. Two lashes in ten minutes and the case is effectively archived. Also because the only incisive substitution was worn by the Rosanero: in the 81st minute Gyasi crashed into Cerofolini on the counterattack but was fouled by Cistana on the rebound. Solar penalty for Palermo, Ranocchia makes it 3-0. The final whistle awakens a gray stadium like the red and whites’ match and draws a cynical play on words: San Nicola contests, Palermo with the lead.