U.S. Città di Palermo season 2003-04
Encyclopedia
U.S. Città di Palermo
played the season 2003-04 in the Serie B
league. The rosanero ended the season in first place, being crowned Serie B champions and promoted to Serie A
after over 30 years in the lower divisions.
in the previous season following a 3-0 away defeat in the final match against Lecce
, which were promoted at Palermo's place. That dramatic defeat was also the last appearance in his playing career for team captain Antonino Asta
, who seriously injured during the match and did not manage to recover; he was part of the first team squad in the season 2003-04, without however making a single appearance. Following the events, Palermo made a number of prominent signings in the summer market, such as Eugenio Corini
, Andrea Gasbarroni
and Luca Toni
; in addition, Palermo-born star Gaetano Vasari
agreed to join the rosanero with a salary based on the number of appearances he would have made in the season. Silvio Baldini
was appointed as new boss to replace Nedo Sonetti
. Several football pundits suggested Palermo to be the real favourite team to win the Serie B league because of the quality of its roster.
The team made a very impressive start by defeating Gianfranco Zola
's Cagliari Calcio
, and managed to be always in the promotion spots. However, following a surprising 3-1 home defeat to Salernitana
that brought Palermo down to third place, Baldini heavily criticized club chairman Maurizio Zamparini
who consequently fired him and appointed Francesco Guidolin
at his place. On the last day of the January transfer market, three new notable signings were made: Antonio Filippini
, Emanuele Filippini
and Fabio Grosso
. Palermo later returned to top the table and eventually won the league, ending with the same points than Cagliari, but being crowned as Serie B champions due to head-to-head matches.
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U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
played the season 2003-04 in the Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
league. The rosanero ended the season in first place, being crowned Serie B champions and promoted to Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
after over 30 years in the lower divisions.
Review and events
Ambitious Palermo failed to gain promotion to Serie ASerie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
in the previous season following a 3-0 away defeat in the final match against Lecce
U.S. Lecce
Unione Sportiva Lecce or simply U.S. Lecce is an Italian football club based in Lecce, Apulia who play in the Italian Serie A. After being crowned Serie B champions in 2009–10, the team successfully managed to avoid relegation in 2010-11....
, which were promoted at Palermo's place. That dramatic defeat was also the last appearance in his playing career for team captain Antonino Asta
Antonino Asta
Antonino Asta is a former Italian footballer.Asta, a midfielder, played mostly at the amateur level in his early footballing years. The 1994/1995 season, played with Saronno, was his first one in a professional league...
, who seriously injured during the match and did not manage to recover; he was part of the first team squad in the season 2003-04, without however making a single appearance. Following the events, Palermo made a number of prominent signings in the summer market, such as Eugenio Corini
Eugenio Corini
Eugenio Corini is an Italian association football coach of Frosinone in Lega Pro Prima Divisioneand former player....
, Andrea Gasbarroni
Andrea Gasbarroni
Andrea Gasbarroni is an Italian football midfielder, currently contracted with Torino.- Career :An attacking midfielder who can also play occasionally as a winger or second striker, Gasbarroni started his career at Juventus F.C. youth team, but after graduate from Primavera team, he was loaned to...
and Luca Toni
Luca Toni
Luca Toni, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. He has had successful spells at top clubs such as Palermo, Fiorentina, Bayern Munich, and Roma...
; in addition, Palermo-born star Gaetano Vasari
Gaetano Vasari
Gaetano "Tanino" Vasari is an Italian former football midfielder.-Career:Vasari, a native of the Palermo neighbourhood of Borgo Vecchio, started his playing career with Partinicaudace, a team from Partinico playing in the Serie D...
agreed to join the rosanero with a salary based on the number of appearances he would have made in the season. Silvio Baldini
Silvio Baldini
Silvio Baldini is an Italian association football manager and the former head coach of Vicenza in the Serie B league.- Coach :...
was appointed as new boss to replace Nedo Sonetti
Nedo Sonetti
Nedo Sonetti is an Italian veteran football manager.-Career:Sonetti was born in Piombino, southern Tuscany and lives now in Gorle.He played in Serie B and Serie C for Spezia Calcio 1906 and Reggina....
. Several football pundits suggested Palermo to be the real favourite team to win the Serie B league because of the quality of its roster.
The team made a very impressive start by defeating Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola, OBE, Ufficiale OMRI is a retired Italian footballer and manager, who most recently managed West Ham United from 2008 to 2010, after having been assistant manager of the Italy U-21 under Pierluigi Casiraghi...
's Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari Calcio is an Italian football club based in Cagliari, Sardinia. The club was formed in 1920 and currently plays in Italian Serie A, having spent a large part of recent years mainly in Serie A and Serie B....
, and managed to be always in the promotion spots. However, following a surprising 3-1 home defeat to Salernitana
Salernitana Calcio 1919
Salerno Calcio, or simply Salerno is an Italian association football club from Salerno, Campania.The club is not the legitimate heir of the former Salernitana Calcio 1919, but there is however a sports continuity between the two companies thanks to Article 52 NOIF of FIGC, and the fact that they...
that brought Palermo down to third place, Baldini heavily criticized club chairman Maurizio Zamparini
Maurizio Zamparini
Maurizio Zamparini is an Italian businessman and the current owner and chairman of Serie A club U.S. Città di Palermo....
who consequently fired him and appointed Francesco Guidolin
Francesco Guidolin
Francesco Guidolin is an Italian football manager and former player, currently serving as head coach of Serie A outfit Udinese.-Playing career:...
at his place. On the last day of the January transfer market, three new notable signings were made: Antonio Filippini
Antonio Filippini
Antonio Filippini is a retired Italian footballer who mainly played as a defensive midfielder.During his extensive professional career, he played in several teams with his twin brother, Emanuele.-Football career:...
, Emanuele Filippini
Emanuele Filippini
Emanuele Filippini is a retired Italian footballer.A defensive midfielder, he enjoyed an extensive professional career playing in several teams with his twin brother, Antonio.-Football career:...
and Fabio Grosso
Fabio Grosso
Fabio Grosso, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. Grosso is primarily a left wingback, but can also play as left back. He is also a free kick, penalty kick and corner kick specialist...
. Palermo later returned to top the table and eventually won the league, ending with the same points than Cagliari, but being crowned as Serie B champions due to head-to-head matches.
2003-04 squad
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January transfer market bids
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