|
Palermo won this bitter local derby with two controversial goals in a match that was suspended for tear gas amid crowd trouble.
The Sicilian derby was brought forward to Friday evening due to concerns over public safety in a clash with the local Sant'Agata celebrations at the weekend and these proved entirely founded, as the match was marred by crowd trouble. It was suspended on the hour mark when tear gas was thrown on to the field. The Rosanero supporters weren't allowed into the Stadio Massimino until the second half.
Gionatha Spinesi was available after his three-match ban was reduced to two on appeal, but Juan Manuel Vargas was suspended.
After just two minutes Roberto Guana's volley was charged down, then Giuseppe Mascara's effort from distance was held. Catania had a very strong start and Alberto Fontana performed a tricky diving save on Spinesi's left-foot angled drive.
Moments later, the former Bari striker turned a totally free header over the bar from eight yards, while Fontana blocked a Caserta effort.
Goalkeeper Armando Pantanelli's poor clearance handed the ball back to Palermo, but Eugenio Corini blasted over for the chance to go begging.
But Catania maintained the initiative with Fontana turning Mascara's free kick out for a corner and Spinesi's dipping strike was also saved.
Just before the break, Corini's set-piece found Andrea Barzagli after some chaotic defending, but he fired off target with only Pantanelli to beat.
It was Palermo who eventually took the lead against the run of play on 55 minutes. Mark Bresciano rushed into the area and rolled in for Andrea Caracciolo, who cut in on his right and placed a left-foot strike into the far corner. However, there were doubts over an offside position.
It was when the Rosanero fans arrived in the stands that the problems began, two minutes after their team had gone ahead. Fireworks were thrown into the area where the Palermo supporters were sitting, they fought back and tear gas made it impossible for play to continue. The two squads ran back into the changing room in some distress and after around half an hour the game resumed with both sets of club directors blaming the other.
Within 60 seconds of the restart, Catania equalised with Caserta's missile into the top corner. A cross was not dealt with effectively and his smashed half-volley bent back Fontana's fingers.
Another lower Caserta strike was smothered, the same fate that befell Caracciolo's shot. On 72 minutes, Pantanelli flew to fingertip Caracciolo's rising attempt out from under the bar and from the resulting corner kick Fabio Simplicio blasted over.
Mascara almost scored the goal of the season, spotting Fontana off his line and placing a lob from the centre circle that was inches over the bar.
There was further controversy when Palermo restored their lead on 83 minutes. A Corini free kick took a deflection off a Catania player and ricocheted on to Di Michele's arm. The referee judged it to be an involuntary gesture and Di Michele prodded into the net from six yards.
Simplicio's lob whistled past the post, then at the other end Mascara's free kick was tipped over the bar by Fontana.
| 
