2003–04 U.S. Città di Palermo season

Ambitious Palermo, for the first time since 1973, failed to gain promotion to Serie A in the previous season following a 3-0 away defeat in the final match against Lecce, which were promoted at Palermo's place[2]. That dramatic defeat was also the last appearance in his playing career for team captain Antonino Asta, who seriously injured during the match and did not manage to recover; he was part of the first team squad in the season 2003-04, without however making a single appearance. Following the events, Palermo made a number of prominent signings in the summer market, such as Eugenio Corini, Andrea Gasbarroni and Luca Toni[3]; in addition, Palermo-born star Gaetano Vasari agreed to join the rosanero with a salary based on the number of appearances he would have made in the season. Silvio Baldini was appointed as new boss to replace Nedo Sonetti. Several football pundits suggested Palermo to be the real favourite team to win the Serie B league because of the quality of its roster.

The team made a very impressive start by defeating Gianfranco Zola's Cagliari Calcio, and managed to be always in the promotion spots. However, following a surprising 3-1 home defeat to Salernitana that brought Palermo down to third place, Baldini heavily criticized club chairman Maurizio Zamparini[4] who consequently fired him and appointed Francesco Guidolin at his place. On the last day of the January transfer market, three new notable signings were made: Antonio Filippini, Emanuele Filippini and Fabio Grosso. Palermo later returned to top the table and eventually won the league, ending with the same points than Cagliari, but being crowned as Serie B champions due to head-to-head matches and promoted to Serie A after 31 years in the lower divisions.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Gianluca Berti 2 DF Paolo Cotroneo 3 DF Francesco Modesto[5] 4 DF Gianluca Atzori 5 MF Eugenio Corini 6 DF Christian Terlizzi 7 MF Gaetano Vasari 8 MF Daniele Di Donato 9 FW Luca Toni 10 MF Lamberto Zauli 11 MF Salvatore Masiello 12 GK Nicola Santoni 13 DF Pietro Accardi 14 MF Frank Oliver Ongfiang[6] 14 DF Rocco D'Aiello 16 FW Pietro Balistreri 17 FW Antonino Asta 18 FW Franco Brienza[7] 18 DF Fabio Grosso[8] 19 DF Daniele Zito

No. Position Player 20 FW Simone Pepe 21 MF Paul Codrea[9] 21 DF Giuseppe Biava[10] 22 MF Massimo Mutarelli 23 MF Ighli Vannucchi[11] 23 MF Emanuele Filippini[12] 24 FW John Olufemi 25 DF Kewullay Conteh 26 MF Antonio Filippini[13] 27 MF Michele Trionfante 29 DF Valentin Năstase 30 FW Jeda[14] 32 MF Marco Fina 46 MF Andrea Gasbarroni 51 MF Vincenzo Giannusa 79 MF Evans Soligo 81 DF Michele Ferri 82 MF Nicola Milano 84 GK Paolo Comi

Winter

In

18		DF	Fabio Grosso (from Perugia)
21		DF	Giuseppe Biava (from AlbinoLeffe)
23		MF	Emanuele Filippini (from Parma)
26		MF	Antonio Filippini (from Brescia)
30		FW	Jeda (from Vicenza)

Out

3		DF	Francesco Modesto (to Reggina)
18		MF	Franco Brienza (on loan to Perugia)
21		MF	Paul Codrea (on loan to Perugia)
23		MF	Ighli Vannucchi (to Empoli)