Empoli 0-0 Torino

Torino's winless run in Serie A stretched to six games as they were unable to find a breakthrough against newly promoted Empoli on Monday evening.

Giampiero Ventura surprised many by dropping captain Kamil Glik, with Pontus Jansson taking his position in central defence, whilst Cristian Molinaro and Cesare Bovo also started.

It was the home side who came closest to scoring in the early stages, but Matias Vecino's long range shot went wide of the target. Simone Verdi, who is on loan at Empoli from Torino, forced Jean Francois Gillet into making a save from a free kick.

On the stroke of half time, in form Josef Martinez had the Granata's best chance of the half, but he was denied by home goalkeeper Luigi Sepe. Verdi was continuing to impress against his parent club, and Gillet had to be at his best to deny the former AC Milan winger.

In the early stages of the first half, Fabio Quagliarella had a great opportunity for Toro but was unable to make good contact with an overhead kick. In the final ten minutes, Cesare Bovo had a great opportunity to win it for Toro, but he blazed over the bar.

Pontus Jansson received a red card in the dying seconds for a second yellow card, as Toro's poor domestic form continued.  With just one game remaining until the winter break, Torino next fixture at home to Genoa is becoming increasingly more important.

Forza Toro