Palermo, gala evening at the "Barbera": City wins the Anglo-Palermitan Trophy.

A packed, festively dressed "Barbera" stadium welcomed the prestigious friendly between Palermo and Manchester City. The atmosphere, already heated over an hour before kickoff, was further enhanced by the grand presentation of the Rosanero squad, the ovation for Filippo Inzaghi, and the entrance of Pep Guardiola's men onto the pitch, greeted with sportsmanlike respect by the crowd. The pre-match also featured a musical show by Rose Villain and a spectacular choreography by the Curva Nord.

The match

On the pitch, City displayed their quality, winning 3-0 and claiming the Anglo-Palermitan Trophy. After a bold start from Palermo, with chances for Ceccaroni and Pohjanpalo, the English side broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through Haaland, who controlled and beat Gomis with his right foot. In the second half, the English champions picked up the pace and, thanks to Reijnders's brace (14' and 37'), sealed the win. Palermo, however, came close to scoring through Palumbo and Le Douaron, earning applause for their playmaking and their commitment against a world-class opponent.

The atmosphere in the stands

Beyond the result, the crowd was a real winner: palpable enthusiasm, incessant chants, mutual respect, and the feeling of experiencing a special event. The "Barbera" once again demonstrated its ability to transform football into a spectacle, giving the city an evening that will remain in the fans' memories.

Katia Virzì