Beppe Iachini concedes Palermo and Bologna are in a “similar” crisis, but isn’t scared of the sack.
The two strugglers face off at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“In recent weeks just about everything happened,” said the Rosanero Coach.
Beppe Iachini concedes Palermo and Bologna are in a “similar” crisis, but isn’t scared of the sack.
The two strugglers face off at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“In recent weeks just about everything happened,” said the Rosanero Coach.
“We lost a few players to injury, hit the woodwork five times, scored two own goals and have only once centre-forward in the squad – Alberto Gilardino – who isn’t in the best shape.
“Clearly all of this combined in a season where we’d made changes and it takes time for the younger players to mature in this project.”
Palermo have lost four on the bounce, but Bologna are bottom of the table after six defeats from the opening seven rounds.
“Bologna are an organised side with a precise identity. Delio Rossi is a talented Coach who knows how to make his mark on teams. He has a mixture of experience and youth, they know how to play football.
“We are in similar situations, aside from the points in the table. We’ve both changed a lot over the summer and so far this term the sides who made the fewest changes have started strongest.”
Iachini is the longest-serving Coach at Palermo in the Maurizio Zamparini era, but is he at risk if there’s a fifth consecutive defeat?
“Zamparini evaluated my work over the last two and a half years. There can be a negative, unfortunate moment in a football season.
“The President knows we are working and to overcome this moment we must retain our belief, sticking together. We’ve been through worse situations than this.
“Don’t forget I got here when Palermo were 13th in Serie B, but we achieved promotion. Now we have seven points in the table, it’s not that bad after seven rounds.
“We have the youngest squad in the League, so there is work to be done. Despite the defeats, the mood in the camp is positive. The lads worked well and know they’ve earned less than deserved so far.
“We’re on the right track, as it is only by working on the details that you get results. The fans brought enthusiasm and I can only be grateful for their support.
“We are trying to whittle down the defects, but are confident Palermo will have a campaign in line with our objectives, getting 40 points as soon as possible to secure safety.”
Michel Morganella, Uros Djurdjevic and Francesco Bolzoni are long-term injury absentees.
Palermo squad for Bologna: Alastra, Colombi, Sorrentino; Andelkovic, Daprelà, El Kaoutari, Goldaniga, Gonzalez, Lazaar, Pezzella, Rispoli, Struna, Vitiello; Brugman, Chochev, Hiljemark, Jajalo, Maresca, Quaison, Rigoni; Gilardino, La Gumina, Trajkovski, Vazquez