Joel Pohjanpalo and his family moved to the heart of Sicilian life.
Euphoria was captured by Stadio Renzo Barbera last Sunday.
Joel Pohjanpalo hit once, then the second and the third. Palermo overthrew Serie B’s top team Sassuolo with a staggering Finnish hat trick.
He was even involved in every five of Palermo. Sunday afternoon was special to him.
– At that time, my daughter was also a birthday, says Pohjanpalo.
Joel and Catharina Pohjanpalo Penelope-The daughter was born a year ago in magical Venice. Now the family enjoys being in Sicily.
– Of course, my daughter doesn’t understand football yet. He’s fun when fans shouting my name and he recognizes it.
The hat trick hero raised a beer in the locker room after a 5-3 victory.
Pohjanpalo, who moved to Palermo in January, has now played eight matches and scored as many goals. On top of that, he has still fed two hits.
– You can often only dream of such power, he says.
Strengths to use
The North Palo has put the goal nets swinging in the Palermo shirt. Palermo FC
The Palermo leadership had done his home care carefully. In January, the club paid nearly EUR 5 million to get Pohjanpalo to move from Veneto to Sicily.
Of course, the club owned by the City Group has money in the background, but in Serie B it has not been recklessly removing in euros.
– Often January transfers are challenging. The team has been playing together for half a year, and it will become a new face. The coaching and teammates have received me great.
– They seemed to know what they wanted and have understood my strength. I have very clear instructions to play in the opponent’s box. From there I get the result.
And the result comes. With eight full hits, Pohjanpalo has already pained almost the top ten of the paint exchange. Already, he is the best scorer on his team.
The transfer of Pohjanpalo was not a little news on the last page in Italian magazines. Saaga was followed for a long time, and rumors emerged from the pens of the most famous football writers in the country.
– When Palermo got me, it was a big deal in Sicily and Italy. Of course, fans have taken me into consideration even since goals have come. At least light hair does not make it easier in Sicily, Pohjanpalo laughs.
Home in downtown
The transfer from Venezia to Palermo was a big deal in Sicily. Palermo FC
In Venice, the Finn immediately got the community as he moved to the island.
It created a connection with the locals. The football star was one of them when he went shopping on a vegetable boat or drank in his morning coffee.
– In Palermo, many players live in Mondello near the beach. However, I have always liked to live in the city center – so here. We have been living in our apartment for a few weeks now, and my family has also enjoyed it well here.
Have you already found a new favorite place where you enjoy Caffèn and Cornetton??
– Almost, maybe. It has not yet been locked. We still need to study a little more. But yes, I always want to enjoy coffee in the same place before morning training.
A good friend of Pohjanpalo, a goalkeeper, left in Venice Jesse Joronen.
Joronen’s game time, familiar to the huhkajas, has been low as January arrived in January Andrei Radu has grabbed the role of the number one watch in Serie A.
The city of Palermo is located on the north coast of Sicily. 1.3 million people live in the metropolitan area. Aop
– We talk weekly about football and everything else. His situation is not easy. Radu plays great through. Jesse can only continue to work. I know he is still valued in Venice.
– His contract ends in the summer, so it remains to be seen what happens. Maybe Jesse comes to Palermo, who knows.
Raw qualifier
There are six rounds left. Palermo is seventh and, thanks to two consecutive winnings, is at the climbing site. There are no longer opportunities for the rise.
The system is raw. Teams 3-8 in positions will participate in the qualifiers. Kolmonen and Nelonen even get straight to the semi -finals, and four others will play before that.
In theory, Palermo still has the opportunity to combat fourth, but it would require poor results from Cremons, Juve Stabia and Catanzaro at the last rounds.
Once, Pohjanpalo has previously managed to get from Serie B through qualifiers. Zumawire / mvphotos
– Qualifiers are always challenging and I do not see that they are any easier or harder this season. Spiritual readiness is everything when pruning. You have to be 100 % ready in those games, as small margins solve and turn matches. Now we are just trying to improve our investment as much as possible.
The first opportunity will be on Friday when Palermo travels to a ninth Bar.
The Palermo people are thirsty for league. The solid club is also extremely traditional, and it is a miracle that in recent years it has been left to the lower levels.
– The colors of Palermo are known around the world, and I knew them myself long before I went here. It surprised me how well things are done here. The investment of City Group is visible. Although we play at Serie B, work is done like in the world’s top clubs.
– There is always pressure in such a club. We have earned its position, and hopefully we will be able to celebrate with our passionate fans at the end of the season. The job is in our hands.