Palermo edges Verona to stay in Serie A, send Carpi back down
Despite making nine coaching changes in a season racked by an impetuous owner, Palermo confirmed it will take part in Serie A next season with a 3-2 win over Hellas Verona.
The Sicilian club produced a last-gasp performance Sunday to save itself from a second relegation in the past four campaigns.
Carpi wasn't so lucky. A year after making the jump to Serie A for the first time, the Biancorossi couldn't get out of the drop zone. A 2-1 win over Udinese wasn't enough for Carpi to extend its stay in the top flight.
| # | GP | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Palermo | 38 | 39 |
| 17 | Udinese | 38 | 39 |
| 18 | Carpi | 38 | 38 |
| 19 | Frosinone | 38 | 31 |
| 20 | Hellas Verona | 38 | 28 |
Goals from Franco Vazquez, Enzo Maresca, and Alberto Gilardino - who tied the great Alessandro Del Piero for 10th in all-time Serie A scoring with his 188th strike - handed Palermo all three precious points to secure safety for Palermo.
The Rosanero gained a reputation for hiring and firing without remorse, swapping managers almost as much as it won games.
Davide Ballardini finished the season in the Sicilian capital after being sacked earlier in the new year.
Ballardini's situation looked the worst of all the coaches that came and went through Palermo's doors. Goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino, the club's captain, claimed the coach refused to speak to his players in January, and Ballardini was duly fired a day later.
But trigger-happy owner Maurizio Zamparini called Ballardini back in April, and Palermo picked up points in five of its final six games to avoid the drop.
Carpi put up a good fight, beating relegation rivals Frosinone and Hellas, although it just couldn't find the consistency to survive its maiden Serie A journey.