SIMPATICO WITH THE BOYS IN PINK

The goalkeeper was consumed with guilt. He turned his back, knelt by the post and prayed.

Fourteen minutes earlier Salvatore Sirigu had given away a penalty that appeared to dash the dream of playing in the richest competition in football.

But referee Roberto Rosetti had awarded another spot kick at the other end and the 23 year old Sardinian refused to watch as Fabrizio Miccoli sized up the opportunity to equalize.

Sirigu never saw Miccoli put his foot through the ball or the net bulge but he heard the roar and it salved his conscience.

There were no more goals and the game between the only two clubs in Serie A who could finish fourth and qualify for the UEFA Champions League ended in a draw.

Palermo could still make the show but they are two points adrift and must win their last game of the season and hope Sampdoria lose.

At the final whistle the English commentator perched in the main stand of the Stadio Renzo Barbera felt a pang of regret because, in a sometimes monochrome league, the Rosanero add colour with their blend of Italian craft and south American flair.

As well as the prolific Miccoli and the outstanding Sirigu there is the young, thin Argentine Javier Pastore who finds space where there is none, the Uruguayan Edison Cavani, all sunken cheekbones and menace, and his gangling teenage compatriot Abel Hernandez.

In the middle the Italian trio of Fabio Liverani, Giulio Migliaccio and Antonio Nocerino are willing and skilfull workers.

Behind them the full backs Mattia Cassani and Federico Balzeratti attack the flanks and leave the Roman Cesare Bovo and the Danish phenomenon Simon Kjaer to hold the fort.

Kjaer is a pearl. The 20 year old is having a sensational season for club and country. Look out for him at the World Cup. He has long blond hair and wins every challenge.

But if Palermo fail to qualify for the Champions League Kjaer may move on and everybody, from Manchester United to Juventus and Real Madrid, wants him. Others, like the Brazilian Fabio Simplicio, may also leave.

It would be a shame because President Mauricio Zamparini (bonkers but popular), sporting director Walter Sabatini and coach Delio Rossi have put together and run a team which deserves a big stage and the people of Palermo crave the opportunity to showcase their city.

Before the game against Sampdoria the commentator's producer Guiseppe Sampino, Palermo born and bred, had told him why.

"Whenever Palermo is mentioned everybody always thinks of the mafia, and dark things but that was twenty years ago and this city has changed. People here are against the mafia. This is a beautiful and friendly city with history, architecture and passion. It is also safe. A woman cannot walk around alone after dark in Rome, Milan or Turin but she can here. Being in the Champions League would show people that we have other qualities."

Every football club represents the values and emotions of its fans but U.S. Citta di Palermo are a little different for they are the only professional football team in the world that dares to play in pink.