Palermo vs Cesena preview - Brienza returns to Palermo

Posted Saturday, October 18, 2014 by PA

Franco Brienza is willing to do whatever it takes to help Cesena secure victory at Palermo - but he will do so with a heavy heart.

The former Italy midfielder played seven full seasons with the Stadio Renzo Barbera club and was a key figure as the Rosanero won promotion to Serie A in 2004.

His subsequent form brought both a national call-up and a foray into Europe, but Brienza eventually left Sicily for pastures new before returning briefly two years ago.

He joined Cesena following Palermo's subsequent relegation and now both clubs are back in the top flight.

The northerners have made a stronger start, winning once and drawing three games, while Palermo are without a win thus far and sit uncomfortably in the bottom three.

Brienza may be itching to get among the goals with a view to boosting the Seahorses into the top half of the table, yet he is unwilling to disrespect his former supporters by celebrating.

He told the Corriere dello Sport: "I have a lot of memories from my time with Palermo, I improved both as a player and as a man with them.

"The year in which we qualified for the UEFA Cup immediately after winning promotion was wonderful.

"I even thought I would finish my career there.

"I do need to score more goals and I want to do well on Sunday, but I won't celebrate if I score because I have too much respect for the club.

"Palermo don't deserve to be where they are in the table. They've got quality players and are perhaps just suffering from a lack of self-esteem.

"We have to stay strong and resist their early attacks. Our plan is to play openly and without fear."

Paraguayan midfielder Edgar Barreto is Palermo's only absentee through injury while Riccardo Cazzola, Andrea Tabanelli, Nico Pulzetti and Emmanuel Cascione remain on Cesena's treatment table.

Defender Stefano Lucchini serves a one-match ban in Sicily.