Bologna vs Palermo preview - Hernandez out to put "terrible" week behind him

Posted Saturday, February 19, 2011 by PA

Bologna vs Palermo preview - Hernandez out to put

Palermo striker Abel Hernandez wants to leave a traumatic week behind him and focus solely on the match at Bologna.

Hernandez, who featured in last weekend's 4-2 defeat to Fiorentina, was robbed at gun-point on Wednesday in Palermo.

"It was terrible," he said. "It was a very bad day but luckily my family are here in Palermo and they were able to console me."

The 20-year-old was returning home from training and was stopped by a motorcyclist who pointed a gun in Hernandez's mouth before leaving the scene with jewellery and money.

"I just want to leave behind this ugly incident," Hernandez said.

"I'm good at Palermo, I never had any problems with the city, this is just an unfortunate episode.

"My goal now is to get straight back on the field, to think about the challenge of Bologna, which is really important for our season."

Last weekend's reverse ended Palermo's seven-match winning run at La Favorita.

The outcome dropped the Sicilian side to seventh place and Delio Rossi's men need three points at the Renato Dall' Ara stadium to keep up their challenge for Champions League football next season.

Palermo trail five points behind fourth-place Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Bologna, meanwhile, have yet to lose at home this year.

However, club coach Alberto Malesani has warned his players they could fall against Palermo if they don't show an improvement with respect to last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Sampdoria.

The result dropped Bologna to 14th, seven points clear of the drop zone.

"Against Sampdoria we had a blackout," Malesani said. "We gave away three goals due to poor concentration.

"we need to be more focused in order to avoid making the same mistakes.

"I expect an overall improvement against Palermo if we are to avoid a second straight defeat."

Bologna lie 14th, seven points clear of the drop zone.