Gian Piero Gasperini warns Palermo have to “save ourselves from relegation” this season and sell players who don’t commit in January.
“This was our worst performance of the season. We had been coming off a fine run of results and performances, but it all went wrong tonight,” he said of the 4-1 defeat to Roma.
Gian Piero Gasperini warns Palermo have to “save ourselves from relegation” this season and sell players who don’t commit in January.
“This was our worst performance of the season. We had been coming off a fine run of results and performances, but it all went wrong tonight,” he said of the 4-1 defeat to Roma.
“We gave away two goals and that sapped the belief out of the team. We suffered throughout the match and had prepared in a very different way.
“With this type of game if the incidents don’t go your way and in fact you gift your opponents chances, then it all becomes very difficult.
“We knew Roma could have a strong start, as at home they have often crushed opponents in the opening half-hour. We had planned a different start to the game, but those two goals changed everything.”
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo was gifted a goal when Ezequiel Munoz clattered into goalkeeper Samir Ujkani.
“It was a lack of communication between goalkeeper and defender. It looked as if Munoz tried to protect the goalkeeper, but instead ended up getting in his way.”
Gasperini gave a clear warning that the Sicilians will sell numerous players in January who do not have the right attitude.
“These games also have to tell us what our dimensions are and allow us to focus on our objectives. This can let us focus more on the players that can help us to achieve this objective. We need to save ourselves from relegation, that is clear.
“We cannot always be left with question marks over who is on the bench and who is playing. We need to cut down the squad in January, as there are too many players right now. We have to rely on that core group that really cares about the Palermo shirt and knows what is at stake, giving its all.”
Josip Ilicic broke his goal drought after a year, but remains under pressure from fans and media.
“Ilicic had a series of positive performances, but there can be too much hype and too many expectations around him that he cannot handle right now. If we think he is a player who can go to PSG or another big club, then we damage both him and us.”