Palermo chairman Maurizio Zamparini wishes his team lose against West Ham and exit the UEFA Cup so that they can focus on their Serie A campaign. Zamparini's side were handed a 2-0 defeat against Empoli on Sunday to lose the league summit to Inter Milan and the president believes as long as they compete in two tournaments, domestic defeats will continue. "I hope West Ham kick us out of the UEFA Cup, otherwise I am sure we will lose again on Sunday against Chievo," Zamparini was quoted as saying by Calcio Italia magazine. "This team cannot compete in two different tournaments and I honestly couldn't care less about the UEFA Cup – I prefer the Serie A championship." However, Palermo are likely to advance in the UEFA Cup after edging West Ham 1-0 in England in the first leg. Zamparini explained that Palermo can not afford applying similar strategies to those adopted by big European clubs. "Rotation is only possible for those clubs who have European ambitions, but that is not our case," he said. "It's a great feeling to be at the top, but it is just as terrible to fall back after an unacceptable and irritating defeat." Palermo are third on nine points from four games, trailing leaders Inter by only one points.
