Palermo secured a convincing 3-0 victory against Cosenza on the road, marking their first away win after five long months. The win not only boosts the morale of the rosanero but also helps to stabilize coach Alessio Dionisi’s position during this precarious season.
Despite a shaky start to the match, where Cosenza threatened early and put pressure on goalkeeper Samir Audero, the rosanero managed to turn the tide. Audero was instrumental from the onset, making several remarkable saves, particularly against Cosenza’s forward, Artistico, who had clear chances to score. Audero’s heroics would soon set the stage for Palermo’s turnaround.
It wasn’t until the 30th minute when the breakthrough finally came. From solid buildup play, Francesco Verre whipped in a perfect ball from the left, and Pierozzi's deft left-footed volley found the back of the net, giving Palermo the much-needed lead.
The visitors were buoyed by the opening goal and began to assert more control over the proceedings. Just before halftime, they maintained their momentum as the Cosenza defense faltered under pressure.
Back from the break, things took another turn for the worse for Cosenza. Just seven minutes after the restart, referee Dionisi pointed to the penalty spot following VAR intervention. Cosenza’s D’Orazio was penalized for handling the ball, and the captain of Palermo, Brunori, confidently stepped up to convert the penalty, drilling it down the middle for 2-0.
The atmosphere at the Stadio San Vito felt bleak for the home side as the pressure mounted. Coach Alvini's side, now demoralized, struggled to find their rhythm. Meanwhile, Palermo seized the moment and continued to press for more.
At the 65th minute, Finnish striker Pohjanpalo capped off the evening by scoring Palermo's third. He latched onto another assist from Verre, finishing cleanly from inside the area and sealing the match for Palermo, who could have even extended the lead if not for Cosenza's beleaguered defense and some sharp saves from Micai.
With this match, Palermo climbed up the table, now sitting ninth and within sight of the upper tiers, just two points behind Cesena. For Cosenza, the fate looks grim as they remain anchored at the bottom with only 21 points and face severe pressure to turn their form around.
The victory was significant not just for points but also relieved some of the pressure on Dionisi, who had been under scrutiny. Post-match, he admitted, "The first half was not how I wanted us to start the game, but I am pleased with how we rallied and took control after scoring the first goal." His sentiments echoed the struggle his team faced initially but also reflected the resilience they showed thereafter.
Palermo’s intending focus must remain consistent as they head toward their next fixture against Brescia, and they'll need to maintain the level of performance seen after their initial half of horror. Fans are cautiously optimistic, hoping they have witnessed the spark needed for a change of fortunes.
On the opposite end, Cosenza will have to review their game plan critically. Having started the match brightly, with multiple scoring opportunities, their failure to convert those chances could prove costly as they look to avoid relegation. Coach Alvini will need to instill confidence back within his squad as they prepare for the next battle.
Overall, the match highlighted the thin line between triumph and despair, illustrating how quickly fortunes can shift within the competitive world of Serie B football.