Catania 0-0 Torino

Torino started 2013 in disappointing fashion, as despite playing against ten men for almost 80 minutes, the Granata were unable to find a breakthrough.

Giampiero Ventura decided reinforce the midfield against a side who are impressive at home, although somewhat surprisingly, Riccardo Meggiorini was preferred to Gianluca Sansone upfront.

The turning point of the match occurred just after twelve minutes, when Catania playmaker Francesco Lodi reacted badly to an innocuous challenge from Riccardo Meggiorini, and lashed out at the former Bari striker.

Whilst Meggiorini went to ground a bit easily, referee Mauro Bergonzi was left with little choice but to produce a straight red card for the Catania midfielder.

However, just ten minutes later, it was the home side who were given an excellent opportunity to take the lead, when Giuseppe Vives was harshly adjudged to have fouled Mariano Izco in the area. Fourtunately for Toro, Argentine striker Gonzalo Bergessio's penalty rattled the crossbar, and they were able to clear the danger.

Catania continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides, and Torino had to be thankful for a great save from Jean-Francois Gillet in order to deny Alejandro Gomez from distance. 

Torino improved in the second half, and started to control possession and make the most of their one man advantage. Alessio Cerci almost gave the away side the lead in outstanding fashion, but his curling left footed shot went narrowly wide of the top corner. 

The Granata were struggling to create clear cut goalscoring opportunities, but in the last minute of the match, they almost claimed all three points. Giuseppe Vives' clipped cross was met by substitute Simone Verdi, but he was only able to stab his shot wide of the far post. 

Although prior to the game, a point away from home would have been an excellent result, the fact that Catania were reduced to 10 men for almost the entire game, and yet Torino still struggled to create chances was certainly a disappointment. 

With a number of players suspended for the next match at home to Siena (including key defenders Kamil Glik and Matteo Darmian) - Torino may be forced to do some business in the transfer market before next week, or perhaps more preferably, rely on some of their promising young players who have impressed this season for the Primavera team.

Forza Torino