Palermo vs Parma preview - Donadoni gets Parma backing

Parma club administrator Pietro Leonardi has given coach Roberto Donadoni a vote of confidence ahead of Sunday's trip to Palermo.

The Gialloblu find themselves at the foot of the Serie A table, four points adrift of safety, after winning just two of their opening 12 games.

Last weekend's 2-0 home reverse to Empoli, which followed their 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Juventus - their worst ever league defeat, was Parma's 10th loss of the campaign.

Despite that, Leonardi has thrown his support behind the coach.

He told www.parmafc.it: "When there are good results it is everyone's merit and when there are dismal results it is everyone's demerit.

"To blame one person would be a wicked action."

He added: "I understand our fans.

"We cannot expect to be applauded and if people say certain things we must accept that we have made mistakes because we are at the bottom of the standings.

"I have spoken to the team and we are united and determined to turn things around.

"There are still 78 points available in the 26 games left to play. Those are a lot of points, but not many if we continue on this trend.

"I hope that we can open a new chapter, starting at Palermo."

Parma's main problem has been at the back, with the Ducale club having the leakiest defence in the division with 30 goals conceded.

Donadoni, who has been at the helm since January 2012 and led the club to a sixth-placed finish last season, welcomes back defender Gabriel Paletta from injury.

However, experienced midfielder Afriyie Acquah is suspended this weekend.

To make matters worse for Parma, Palermo have lost just once at home this season, a 4-0 defeat to Lazio on September 29.

Giuseppe Iachini's men held Genoa to a 1-1 draw last time out to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

Palermo, who gained promotion to the top flight earlier this year, are 13th in the standings, five points clear of the drop zone.

Iachini will have all of his players available.