Palermo new boy Fabrizio Miccoli is finally back in Italy after his Portuguese adventure, having never been given a fair crack of the whip at Juventus. Bought by the then Serie A champions in the summer of 2002, his rollercoaster journey started in earnest after he was loaned straight out to Perugia. Miccoli’s subsequent nine goals and Azzurri debut made the Old Lady think again and he returned north for the 2003-04 campaign. Despite never being a regular, he still managed to score eight goals.
However, after a disagreement with Coach Fabio Capello, the talented striker was once again pushed out. This time Juve agreed a co-ownership deal with newly-promoted Fiorentina, where Fabrizio’s 12 goals went a long way towards helping them stay in the top flight. At the end of that season the two clubs held a blind auction over his destination, with the Old Lady’s envelope the fattest. Maybe Fabrizio allowed himself a wry smile, but if he did it could not have lasted long, as once again he was sent out on loan – this time to Benfica.
Miccoli accepted this without a fuss and the diminutive hitman with the build of Diego Maradona and the skills of Roberto Baggio became a valuable player for the Portuguese giants. After two glorious seasons, new Bianconeri boss Claudio Ranieri claimed he would have a part to play. “He is a striker we like very much and I am counting on him for next season,” he said. “The time he spent in Portugal helped him. We may have signed Vincenzo Iaquinta, but I hope to count on Miccoli’s qualities as well.”
Unsurprisingly, the move failed to materialise and Miccoli was happy enough to stay in Portugal. “If it had been up to me I wouldn’t have come back, but my wife and daughter wanted to be in Italy again,” he explained. “I was treated like a King in Benfica and have many great memories, but I am delighted to be in Sicily. When Palermo came in for me I made my mind up in five minutes because I feel that this club is going places. We have a great squad with several of them part of La Nazionale – and I hope to join them.”
That looked a real possibility after a remarkable pre-season, but things haven’t gone to plan thus far. Both Miccoli and his teammates have struggled for consistency, but he has still managed to show his best form at times. The pint-sized forward was the pick of the pink shirts when his two goals helped demolish Livorno 4-2 away, while a stunning free-kick helped see off Milan.
“We can always improve,” insisted the man dubbed the Romario of Salento. “We have to be even more alert and take advantage of more chances. I am finding it difficult at the moment to re-adjust to Italian football. It’s a different style to Portugal and I’ll need to adapt to the rhythms of Serie A quickly.”
Despite his team’s inconsistency, it’s plain to see the Lecce-born hitman is enjoying his football in Sicily. “I hope to honour my contract which expires in 2010,” he revealed. “I know how ambitious this club is. I would only leave Benfica for a big club – and I think I’ve found one. There are great players here and I want to play in the Champions League, although I am aware that it will not be easy. This is a united group, there is a great atmosphere and we will do everything we can to play against the best in Europe.”
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