2009–10 US Città di Palermo season

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Palermo’s 2009–10 season in Serie A was their sixth straight top-flight campaign since returning in 2004. The year opened with Davide Ballardini as head coach, but after a 1–1 draw in the Derby di Sicilia and Ballardini’s request to leave, club chairman Maurizio Zamparini appointed Walter Zenga. Zenga was sacked in November 2009 following the disappointing start, and Delio Rossi took over from Week 14. Under Rossi, Palermo improved dramatically, collecting 17 points in his first eight games and going on a seven-match league unbeaten run that included a shock 2–0 win at AC Milan and a 3–0 home victory over Fiorentina. The team finished fifth in Serie A, just outside the Champions League places.

In the Coppa Italia, Palermo were eliminated in the round of 16 by Lazio. The club strengthened the squad with several signings, including Javier Pastore, praised by the chairman as “the new Kaká,” and Dorin Goian, while some players left or were loaned out. Fabrizio Miccoli was the club’s top scorer with 19 league goals (22 in all competitions). The season also saw several players involved in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, including Pastore (Argentina), Kjær (Denmark) and Cavani (Uruguay); Sirigu and Cassani were considered for Italy’s squad but did not make the final team.

Attendance reflected strong support: the highest home crowd was 35,872 against Sampdoria on 9 May 2010, the lowest was 18,817 against Atalanta on 10 January 2010, and the average home league attendance was about 25,017.

Palermo’s campaign ended on a high note with a 2–1 injury-time win over Atalanta. However, they slipped from the 4th spot after the late-season results, including a 2–0 loss to Catania, a 2–2 draw at Cagliari, and a 1–1 home draw with Sampdoria, during which captain Fabrizio Miccoli sustained a serious knee injury after a collision that also involved a late penalty he converted.