Walter Zenga has been supported by Marcello Lippi in his claims Palermo can win the Scudetto.

"I agree with him," grinned 2006 World Cup winner Lippi. "Zenga wanted to fire up the squad and give them the necessary grit to take on a tough League like the Italian one.

"That sort of motivational push is crucial in football, perhaps even more so than fitness preparation or tactics.

"Nobody can call him crazy for saying what he did."

Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini agrees and also rushed to defend his manager's position.

"Zenga is right to talk about the Scudetto. Teams like Palermo, Napoli, Udinese and Genoa can think of achieving something important.

"We've had enough of this inferiority complex towards Juventus, Milan and Inter."