Migliaccio gets Palermo off the mark

Giulio Migliaccio's first European goal got US Città di Palermo's UEFA Europa League Group F bid up and running, condemning an unfortunate FC Lausanne-Sport side to a narrow defeat in Sicily.

Migliaccio headed in Javier Pastore's cross to the far post with 11 minutes remaining, kick-starting a campaign which began with defeat by AC Sparta Praha two weeks ago. Lausanne, who go in search of their first points when they meet Sparta next month, could have been celebrating at least a draw had Jocelyn Roux not missed an open goal early on.

A scorer of both Lausanne's goals in their weekend victory at Servette FC, Roux should have done better than scuff the ball wide after Silvio ran on to a pass in behind and, having outstripped Ezequiel Muñoz on the byline, pulled the ball back into the No9's path. Palermo's only effort of note in the first half arrived when Massimo Maccarone directed Fabrizio Miccoli's corner at Anthony Favre.

Miccoli, making his first appearance since May because of a knee problem, soon hobbled off, however, before the unmarked Silvio headed Michel Avanzini's deep, right-wing cross wide. The impish Pastore then pressed Favre into a low save four minutes into the second half, while Maccarone nodded the rebound over. Lausanne, joint top of the Swiss second tier, immediately hit back, with Rodrigo Tosi eliciting a flying save from Francesco Benussi after a weaving run inside from the right.

Having come close at the right end, Tosi almost gave the Rosanero the lead on the hour when Maccarone's corner to the far post hit the Lausanne No30, forcing Bigambo Rochat to clear off the goal line. Delio Rossi's side began to up the ante, however, and after Favre tipped Mauricio Pinilla's dipping effort on to the bar, Migliaccio struck the decisive blow.