Pescara 2-0 Torino

Torino's hopes of achieving automatic promotion were dented after they were beaten 2-0 by an in-form Pescara on Saturday evening.

Torino made five changes from the team that were victorious against Padova, with Matteo Darmian, Valerio Di Cesare, Cristian Pasquato, Mirco Antenucci and Alessandro Sgrigna coming into the team.

However, in front of a sell out crowd at the Stadio Adriatico, Torino made the worst start possible and were behind after just ten minutes. Marco Verratti's accurate long pass found Lorenzo Insigne who was narrowly onside, and he rounded Francesco Benussi to give Pescara the lead.

Torino responded well and came close to an equaliser via Cristian Pasquato's free kick, but it was turned round the post by Riccardo Ragni. The on loan winger, making his first start for the club, came close once again moments later when he intercepted the ball in the final third, but his speculative volley went over the bar.

The home side were playing the type of football that is synonymous with their coach Zdeněk Zeman, and Ciro Immobile, Emmanuel Cascione and Matti Nielsen all came close to adding a second.

On the stroke of half time, just when it looked as though Torino would go in at the break just the one goal behind, Pescara did score their second goal. Simone Romagnoli's cross from the right was headed in by Ciro Immobile - his 27th goal of an incredible season.

Torino made one change at half time as Juan Surraco replaced Alen Stevanovic, but it was the home side who looked more likely to score the next goal, and Lorenzo Insigne should have doubled his individual tally after a mistake by Manuel Iori.

With ten minutes remaining, Torino had their best chance of the match through Alessandro Sgrigna, but his shot was well saved by Ragni, and although the ball then bounced off Marco Capuano, it hit the post and not the back of the net, an incident which summed up Torino's evening.

This defeat, against probably the best team in the division is certainly disappointing, but Torino will know that promotion is still in their own hands. If Torino can get seven points from their remaining three games, that will be enough to seal a return to Serie A, perhaps even as champions as current leaders Pescara have a difficult run in.

Forza Torino