Roberto Donadoni’s Parma are flying high mid-table, but he fears Palermo could cause an upset at the Tardini.
“We really needed that Christmas break and are now ready to rev up again,” said the Coach.
“As I already told the lads, the next four or five games will be decisive to understand what our tournament will be. Therefore, we’ve got to start 2013 strongly.
Roberto Donadoni’s Parma are flying high mid-table, but he fears Palermo could cause an upset at the Tardini.
“We really needed that Christmas break and are now ready to rev up again,” said the Coach.
“As I already told the lads, the next four or five games will be decisive to understand what our tournament will be. Therefore, we’ve got to start 2013 strongly.
“Despite their position in the standings, I believe Palermo are a good team and we need to perform in order to get a result.
“Palermo are going to run few risks, but will be ready to make the most of any mistakes we allow them to create.
“If we think that we can afford to start softly, then we’d be doing exactly what Palermo want and it’d be difficult for us to score.”
These teams already met in a friendly over the summer and Parma were flattened 4-1.
“The game we played in August should serve as a warning,” continued Donadoni.
“We approached that match with the wrong mentality and gave them the chance to make the most of their strengths.
“If Palermo are allowed to go on the counter-attack, they can be extremely dangerous. Their players are quick and have great technique.”
Parma are without suspended creative midfielder Jaime Valdes, while Daniele Galloppa and Cristian Zaccardo are injured.
Goalkeeper Antonio Mirante is also not 100 per cent fit.
Parma squad for Palermo: Mirante, Pavarini, Bajza; Benalouane, Fideleff, Lucarelli, Maceachen, Paletta, Santacroce; Acquah, Biabiany, Gobbi, Marchionni, Morrone, Musacci, Ninis, Parolo, Rosi; Amauri, Belfodil, Pabon, Palladino, Sansone