2003–04 US 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.[1] 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;[2] 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[3] 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. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ITA Gianluca Berti 2 DF  ITA Paolo Cotroneo 3 DF  ITA Francesco Modesto[4] 4 DF  ITA Gianluca Atzori 5 MF  ITA Eugenio Corini 6 DF  ITA Christian Terlizzi 7 MF  ITA Gaetano Vasari 8 MF  ITA Daniele Di Donato 9 FW  ITA Luca Toni 10 MF  ITA Lamberto Zauli 11 MF  ITA Salvatore Masiello 12 GK  ITA Nicola Santoni 13 DF  ITA Pietro Accardi 14 MF  CMR Frank Oliver Ongfiang[5] 14 DF  ITA Rocco D'Aiello 16 FW  ITA Pietro Balistreri 17 FW  ITA Antonino Asta 18 FW  ITA Franco Brienza[6] 18 DF  ITA Fabio Grosso[7] 19 DF  ITA Daniele Zito

No. Pos. Nation Player 20 FW  ITA Simone Pepe 21 MF  ROU Paul Codrea[8] 21 DF  ITA Giuseppe Biava[9] 22 MF  ITA Massimo Mutarelli 23 MF  ITA Ighli Vannucchi[10] 23 MF  ITA Emanuele Filippini[11] 24 FW  NGA John Olufemi 25 DF  SLE Kewullay Conteh 26 MF  ITA Antonio Filippini[12] 27 MF  ITA Michele Trionfante 29 DF  ROU Valentin Năstase 30 FW  BRA Jeda[13] 32 MF  ITA Marco Fina 46 MF  ITA Andrea Gasbarroni 51 MF  ITA Vincenzo Giannusa 79 MF  ITA Evans Soligo 81 DF  ITA Michele Ferri 82 MF  ITA Nicola Milano 84 GK  ITA Paolo Comi

Winter

In

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

Out

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