Parma vs Palermo preview - Mangia on winning crusade at Parma

Posted Sunday, December 04, 2011 by PA

Palermo coach Devis Mangia expects his players to end their dismal run away from home when they meet Parma at the Ennio Tardini stadium.

Seven months have passed since Palermo last won on the road in Serie A. They lie fifth in the standings thanks to their great performances in Sicily, however.

Last weekend's 2-0 win over Fiorentina saw the Sicilians maintain their perfect record at La Favorita this season, but with just one point collected on the road, Mangia knows his team must stop the rot.

"It's imperative that we start winning on the road," Mangia said. "One point out of a possible 18 is just not good enough.

"We need to play better and show our quality away from home.

"I expect a win on Sunday."

Parma dropped to 10th in the standings after Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Novara.

The Gialloblu were then eliminated from the Coppa Italia in midweek after a surprising 2-0 home defeat to Serie B side Hellas Verona, and Parma coach Franco Colomba hopes his team can show a vast improvement.

"We have to remain united and put those two defeats behind us," Colomba said. "We are disappointed to be out of the Coppa Italia but we have to turn the page and return to winning ways this weekend."

The visitors will be without the injured Abel Hernandez, Fabrizio Miccoli and Igor Budan but are hoping to have Eran Zahavi available after a muscular problem.

Parma will be at full strength with midfielder Massimo Gobbi and striker Sergio Floccari having recovered from injury.