Palermo punish Inter

Inter were defeated by Palermo 4-3 yesterday evening in Sicily.

Palermo had the initiative from the start and missed a number of great scoring opportunities.

The Inter team still have to adapt to Gasperini’s 3-4-3 formation and until they do, they are looking very weak when their opponents are on a counter-attack.

Palermo were caught off guard when on the 33^rd minute, Zarate fired over a low corner which was only cleared as far as Dejan Stankovic on the egde of the box. The Serbian immediately lashed the ball back towards goal, where Milito was perfectly positioned to stick out a leg to deflect the ball past Alexandros Tzorvas to open the scoring.

In the second half the match started where it ended with action on both sides of the pitch. Palermo were back on level terms when Miccolis campered onto Edgar Barreto’s lofted pass and slotted past the advancing Julio Cesar on the 48^th minute.

Inter were awarded a penalty on the 51^st minute when Walter Samuel was brought down inside the area. Milito converted to give Inter the lead.

Just two minutes later, Palermo levelled matters when Ilicic and Miccoli combined to dissect a a exposed Inter defence, and Palermo captain Miccoli squared for Hernandez to tap into an empty net.

On the 86^th minute, Palermo took the lead thanks to a fantastic powerful free-kick by Miccoli that left no chance for goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

 Palermo basically put the match to bed when substitute Mauricio Pinilla powerful shot from outside the area found the back of the net on the 88^th minute.

Diego Forlan scored his first goal for Inter in the final seconds of the match, but it would not be enough for the World champions.