Roberto De Zerbi confirmed he “could change a few things” as Palermo try to avoid a club record seventh straight loss against Lazio.
It kicks off at 11.30 GMT at the Stadio Barbera, click here for a match preview.
“I don’t know if it is a decisive match, but I hope to win and am doing everything with the utmost effort,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed he “could change a few things” as Palermo try to avoid a club record seventh straight loss against Lazio.
It kicks off at 11.30 GMT at the Stadio Barbera, click here for a match preview.
“I don’t know if it is a decisive match, but I hope to win and am doing everything with the utmost effort,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“It’s not a great situation, seeing as we are coming off six consecutive defeats. I could change a few things in the system, but that’s not really the reason for these losses. I change when I believe it will give us an angle against opponents with specific characteristics.
“Lazio attack in numbers and their wingers often join in, much like Torino. I could move to five at the back for that reason, but it won’t resolve all our problems.
“If we are in this situation, there are deep-seated reasons. It’s also not great to play when the crowd is lacking in enthusiasm, as we are people even before being professionals. Nobody likes to lose and be jeered, but we are in this atmosphere because of our results.”
Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini continues to back De Zerbi, whereas he’s fired other tacticians for much less.
“I have always had exchanges of opinions with Presidents, at times even fiery ones, but I behave well and ensure I am respected with the right to make autonomous decisions.
“I speak to Zamparini, he tells me what he thinks and I do the same. What’s best for the team has to go through an open and frank discussion.
“We’ve lost six, but four of them came at the end of very balanced games. The last-minute goal from Sampdoria was a real blow to our confidence and we’ve not really recovered. At Bologna we conceded a stupid goal, in Cagliari we had the match in hand and were about to get back into it with Milan.
“I don’t know why, but the first 20 minutes have a different approach to the next 70. We usually take the lead, but once we concede, we stop pressing.
“It does irritate me that we’ve lost six in a row, but we have to look at how we lost. It’s my responsibility to a degree, as if we had lost all of them 4-0 or 5-0 then it would be a different matter. I take my share of the blame, although I knew taking this job that we weren’t ever going to win seven or eight in a row.”
There is at least some good news for the Sicilians, as Giancarlo Gonzalez is available again after injury and will start in defence, while De Zerbi has faith in Alessandro Diamanti.
“If Diamanti is fit, then he’ll always start. I will speak to him, if he’s fit and sharp then he’ll play, otherwise I’ll take the responsibility of leaving him out.
“Some might think Diamanti doesn’t care that much, but instead he’s very generous and he suffers when the team is doing badly.”
Palermo squad for Lazio: Fulignati, Guddo, Posavec; Aleesami, Andelkovic, Cionek, Goldaniga, Gonzalez, Morganella, Pezzella, Rispoli, Vitiello; Bouy, Bruno Henrique, Chochev, Gazzi, Hiljemark, Jajalo, Quaison; Diamanti, Lo Faso, Nestorovski, Sallai