Walter Novellino agrees with Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini on the need to turn things around against Lazio.
It kicks off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“There will be some big changes,” confirmed the Coach. “Now we really need to get a result. Zamparini quite rightly told me that against Chievo it was the worst performance he’d seen and I agree with him.
Walter Novellino agrees with Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini on the need to turn things around against Lazio.
It kicks off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“There will be some big changes,” confirmed the Coach. “Now we really need to get a result. Zamparini quite rightly told me that against Chievo it was the worst performance he’d seen and I agree with him.
“I don’t know why we got the attitude so wrong, as this is a squad that can only survive in Serie A with a different approach. The fans who came here to talk to us said similar things – you can lose, but not while playing like that.”
If Palermo are in the relegation zone, then Lazio are also in crisis and make their debut under new Coach Simone Inzaghi after sacking Stefano Pioli.
“We know that Lazio have a strong squad and we must get the crowd right behind us, which we can only do by playing with the right attitude.”
Star forward Franco Vazquez is suspended with Edoardo Goldaniga and Accursio Bentivegna injured.
“Vazquez will be missed, certainly, but we’ve been working on other alternatives. I’ve only picked up one point from three rounds, but I’m not a complete amateur. I do understand the issues.
“We must play at a high level and bring home the three points. Anything else is just idle chatter. We will get back to playing with my usual systems, so 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1.”
Palermo reached the Final of the prestigious Viareggio youth tournament last week, losing to Juventus, and talented 20-year-old Antonino La Gumina was the breakout star of the competition.
He scored nine goals in just seven Viareggio games, plus 12 in 13 Primavera C matches this season, so could he be thrown into the mix?
“He proved his quality in Viareggio, but now we shouldn’t put too much pressure on him.”
Palermo made another adjustment this week, bringing in Gianni Di Marzio as a consultant.
“He is a great man and I know him very well, as we won together many years ago.”
Palermo squad for Lazio: Alastra, Posavec, Sorrentino; Andelkovic, Cionek, Gonzalez, Lazaar, Morganella, Pezzella, Rispoli, Struna, Vitiello; Brugman, Chochev, Hiljemark, Jajalo, Maresca, Quaison; Balogh, Gilardino, La Gumina, Trajkovski