Palermo out to break new ground

Palermo coach Delio Rossi says his men are out to make history ahead of their Coppa Italia second-leg against AC Milan on Tuesday.

Rossi’s team are in the box seat to progress to their first final appearance since 1979 after playing out a 2-2 draw in the first-leg at the San Siro on April 20.

A meeting with either Roma or Inter Milan beckons, with Rossi intent on making history by guiding the club to its first ever Coppa Italia win.

“As I’ve already said, this is an important match, but it’s a match which could be historic for Palermo, for this island, and especially for a part of Italy which hasn’t had many good moments in the last few years,” Rossi, 50, said.

“I’m expecting to face this year’s champions, who will be calmer than ever since they don’t have to prove anything.”

With just Palermo’s second ever-final appearance in the offering, Rossi said the first leg meant little, even though his team has the advantage of away goals if they happen to hold Milan at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

“Tomorrow’s match is a new match, which is not the continuation of the one played three weeks ago,” he said.

“Tomorrow’s match is going to be another match.”

In their Serie A meeting before the Coppa Italia, Palermo recorded a 1-0 win at home thanks to a goal from defender Dorin Goian on March 19.

It was Milan’s last loss in all competitions, and another clean sheet on Tuesday would mean victory for Rossi’s team.

It is a feat that will take some doing, with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Alexandre Pato all at the disposal of Massimiliano Allegri.

Rossi said the number of attacking options was an advantage for Milan, but he wanted his men to focus on their own game.

“I believe that their attack gives them many alternatives in terms of players. If Ibrahimovic doesn’t play, they will be playing in another way,” Rossi said.

“But we won’t make our formation based on the choices of the opposing team. We’ll be taking into account the opposing players, but we should play to our own strengths. I haven’t made the formation based on the fact that Ibrahimovic will or won’t be playing.”

A victory for champions-elect Milan would put them in their first Coppa Italia final since 2003, when they beat Roma.