Torino 2-1 Sampdoria

Torino returned to the top of the Serie B table following a deserved 2-1 victory against Sampdoria on Monday night.

There were two changes from the team that beat Nocerina last Saturday, as Valerio Di Cesare and Nnamdi Oduamadi came into the starting eleven.

Torino started the game nervously and it was the away side who had the first opportunity of the match as Nicola Pozzi wriggled past two challenges, but his shot was easily saved by Francesco Benussi. At the other end it was Alen Stevanovic who came closest for Toro, but his attempt went wide.

After twenty minutes Torino took the lead thanks to some fantastic play down the right wing by the impressive Stevanovic. His cut back found Mirco Antenucci, and although his first effort inadvertently hit strike partner Rolando Bianchi, he was on hand to score at the second attempt.

After technically getting an assist for the first goal, Bianchi came so close to getting on the score sheet himself but his powerful header from Danilo D'Ambrosio's cross rattled off the crossbar.

Torino started the second half confidently and looked the more likely to get the second goal of the match. Mirco Antenucci had a good chance to score again following Bianchi's dummy, but his shot went harmlessly wide.

However, with twenty-three minutes remaining, Sampdoria got an equaliser that was very much against the run of play. Danilo D'Ambrosio gave the ball away cheaply, and that allowed substitute Juan Antonio to fire a shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Toro coach Giampiero Ventura was positive in his substitutions and brought on strikers Riccardo Meggiorini and Alessandro Sgrigna to try and find a winner. And with four minutes of normal time remaining, Torino got the winning goal that their performance had deserved.

Mirco Antenucci crossed from the left hand side, and although it looked to be simple clearance for Samp defender Daniele Gastaldello, he missed his kick, and that allowed Meggiorini to volley home despite still being on the ground after sliding in for the original cross. It may not have been the best goal of Meggiorini's career, but he showed great awareness to score his first goal for the club.

This victory means that Torino have now gone seven matches unbeaten and are now two points clear at the top of the table.

Forza Torino