On December 26, at the Renzo Barbera Stadium, Palermo secured a much-needed victory, edging out Bari with a score of 1-0 during their Serie B match, marking a key moment for the rosanero after three consecutive defeats.
Jeremy Le Douaron emerged as the hero of the match, scoring the winning goal just before halftime, which effectively marked his second consecutive goal for the team. The goal came at the 41st minute from a corner kick situation, where Le Douaron capitalized on chaos inside the box to slot the ball past Bari's goalkeeper, Radunovic.
From the outset, the match was marked by tension, not only between the competing teams but also from the stands, where the home fans expressed their frustrations with provocative banners directed at the management. Fans have been increasingly restless amid the team's poor performance leading up to this game.
Palermo started the game brightly. Almost immediately, Le Douaron had the first opportunity, heading the ball from a well-aimed cross. Just two minutes later, Matteo Brunori rattled the crossbar with his powerful shot from outside the box after intercepting a poor back-pass.
Meanwhile, Bari, led by coach Moreno Longo, attempted to respond, creating some chances of their own, with Dorval shooting just wide and attempting to disrupt Palermo's defensive setup. The game saw back-and-forth action, but Palermo's relentless pressure eventually paid off.
The first half ended with Le Douaron's goal giving Palermo the lead, which was not only pivotal for their position on the board but also for the morale of the team as they faced mounting criticism.
After the break, the dynamic of the match shifted as Bari pushed hard for the equalizer. They had various opportunities to score, including shots from distance and dangerous crosses. Lasagna even hit the post right after the second half began, but eventually, they couldn't find the back of the net.
Desplanches, Palermo's goalkeeper, was called to action multiple times, making important saves to keep the lead. Despite Bari’s continuous attempts, including several corners and strategic substitutions, they struggled with their finishing. Le Douaron and Brunori both had chances to extend the lead for Palermo, but the team's transitions lacked the necessary precision.
Although Palermo were under increasing pressure as Bari heightened their attacking efforts late in the game, they managed to hold onto their slim lead. The final whistle signaled not just the end of the game, but also the end of Palermo's dire three-match losing streak and placed them level on points with Bari, who are now experiencing their own crisis with three consecutive losses and no goals scored during this run.
With this victory, Palermo moves up to 10th place with 24 points, tying with the Galletti, who now sit at 8th position, reflecting the competitive nature of this season's Serie B.
Looking forward, both teams face challenges. Bari’s next match is set against Spezia, who currently sit at the top with 38 points. Meanwhile, Palermo's coach Alessio Dionisi, though obtaining relief with this win, knows the fragility of his position still hangs on both future results and maintaining fan confidence.
This match showcases the highs and lows of football, where jubilation for one leads to despair for another—but for now, Palermo takes pride in their triumph, bolstered by the hope of turning their season around.
