Atalanta vs Palermo preview - Gasperini hoping to "relaunch" career at Palermo

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2012 by PA

Gian Piero Gasperini takes control of Palermo for the first time on Sunday after Giuseppe Sannino became the new season's first managerial casualty.

Rosanero president Maurizio Zamparini lost patience with the former Siena boss following a sluggish start to the Serie A campaign, moving promptly to replace him with Gasperini, who had been out of work for a year following a short stint in charge of Inter Milan.

Zamparini has dismissed an average of two coaches a year since buying the Sicilian club 10 years ago, but Gasperini is convinced he is the man to bring success and stability back to the Renzo Barbera, starting with the trip to Atalanta.

At his official unveiling, he said: "I think the potential is here to dispel the negative image of the club.

"Palermo is an important footballing city and it is my ambition to bring enthusiasm back to the club.

"It's a chance to relaunch myself," added the 54-year-old. "I've been out in the cold for a year and I'm highly motivated.

"The championship has only just started and there is nothing wrong with the squad.

"Palermo need to develop a clear style of play, without changing from match to match or during the match itself."

Midfielder Steve Van Bergen is also confident Gasperini will turn Palermo's fortunes around.

He told the club's official website: "He has good ideas, knows how to organise the squad in each situation and we all know what we're doing.

"We've had four training sessions in four days because it was important to learn what he wanted from us.

"I don't mind playing out of position. The coach will pick the 11 players and we go to Bergamo to win."

Atalanta defender Stefano Lucchini remains cautious of a more optimistic Palermo as the Orobici search for a first home win of the season.

Victory at AC Milan last weekend gave Stefano Colantuono's men a crucial morale boost, though, with Lucchini saying: "You remember matches like that forever.

"Such an important win can only give us confidence going into a game against Palermo, which I consider to be very difficult.

"We cannot let our guard drop, we must remain humble and down to earth and we have to play against Palermo with the same desire that we showed at the San Siro."