Palermo coach Walter Zenga was full of pride after their shock 2-0 defeat of Juventus.

Edison Cavani and Fabio Simplicio struck for the Rosanero and Zenga beamed afterwards: "My system was called 'spread out and make do!' We started out with the 3-4-1-2, Simplicio and Bresciano played together against Inter last season and did well.

"If I'd put two genuine defensive midfielders, we might never have gone on the counter. Let's just say I was inspired.

"I tried to give our wingers more security, as they could afford to push up more with a three-man defence.

"It's not necessarily true we'll continue like this. The important thing is they all proved they can work hard for each other and with that tactics don't matter.

"The players deserved this victory for all the hard work and sacrifices they've made so far this season. They earned it. We were almost perfect tonight. Almost."

The triumph takes the pressure off Zenga, who was reportedly facing the sack at the hands of notoriously trigger-happy President Maurizio Zamparini.

"I always smiled when I heard those rumours. This morning I was reading an article that said I was facing the axe, but it also quoted Zamparini saying none of it was true."