Torino maintained their 100% home record with a narrow victory over Palermo on Sunday afternoon, despite finishing the match with only nine men.
As expected, Maxi Lopez replaced Josef Martinez upfront, whilst Davide Zappacosta and Marco Benassi also came into the starting eleven.
Some neat footwork by Daniele Baselli in midfield put Fabio Quagliarella through on goal, but his shot was easily saved by former Toro keeper Stefano Sorrentino.
The away side were inches away from taking the lead through Aleksandar Trajkovski's thirty yard free kick which rattled off the crossbar.
Toro took the lead on the stroke of half time when Cristian Molinaro's low cross was deflected into his own net by Giancarlo Gonzalez under pressure from Lopez.
The Granata doubled their lead moments into the second half in sensational fashion when Maxi Lopez found Marco Benassi who scored a sensational Marco Van Basten-esque volley from a difficult angle.
The home side then found themselves reduced to ten men when Cristiano Molinaro received a second yellow card when he was penalised for pulling back Trajkovski. And Palermo ensured a nervy last twenty minutes when Giancarlo Gonzalez headed into the right net this time, as he converted Franco Vasquez's cross.
Torino were then reduced to nine men in injury time when substitute Joel Obi was given his marching orders for a rash foul on Vasquez. Toro were almost made to pay for that indiscipline in the dying seconds, but Aljaz Struna's hit the woodwork and Toro held on.
This was a great victory for Toro as they had to overcome adversity in order to claim the three points, and a win over Carpi would, temporarily at least, put the Granata top of Serie A.
Tuesday 29 September 2015
Saturday 26 September 2015
Torino v Palermo Preview
The Granata will be without Bruno Peres who has picked up a thigh injury so will be replaced by Davide Zappacosta at right wing back. Elsewhere, Marco Benassi and former Palermo man Andrea Belotti, who both came on against Chievo, could also come into the team.
Palermo won their first two games of the season but have not won any of their next three, their most recent game being a 1-0 home defeat by Sassuolo.
Prediction
Torino 2-1 Palermo
Chievo 1-0 Torino
Torino fell to their first defeat of the season after a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Chievo on Wednesday evening.
Giampiero Ventura resisted the temptation to make changes, and instead only made one alteration from the side who beat Sampdoria with Josef Martinez replacing Andrea Belotti.
In a quiet first half, Toro came closest to scoring with Josef Martinez's off target header and Bruno Peres' cross which forced a save out of Albano Bizzarri.
In the second half, Padelli was forced into an excellent double save as he got down low to deny Alberto Paloschi's low drive and then got back up to save from Perparim Hetemaj.
Toro were again finding it difficult to create clear cut chances although Cristian Molinaro almost found Fabio Quagliarella with a low cross.
The home side almost took the lead in sensational fashion when former Torino striker Riccardo Meggiorini connected with an scissor kick which just went wide of the target.
With fifteen minutes remaining Chievo took the lead after a rare mistake from captain Kamil Glik who was caught out of position and that allowed Lucas Castro to run clear and finish well from just outside the box.
Toro couldn't find a way back into the match and therefore fell to their first defeat of the season, but the lack of energy and quality in the performance was probably more of a worry for the Toro fans.
Forza Toro!
Giampiero Ventura resisted the temptation to make changes, and instead only made one alteration from the side who beat Sampdoria with Josef Martinez replacing Andrea Belotti.
In a quiet first half, Toro came closest to scoring with Josef Martinez's off target header and Bruno Peres' cross which forced a save out of Albano Bizzarri.
In the second half, Padelli was forced into an excellent double save as he got down low to deny Alberto Paloschi's low drive and then got back up to save from Perparim Hetemaj.
Toro were again finding it difficult to create clear cut chances although Cristian Molinaro almost found Fabio Quagliarella with a low cross.
The home side almost took the lead in sensational fashion when former Torino striker Riccardo Meggiorini connected with an scissor kick which just went wide of the target.
With fifteen minutes remaining Chievo took the lead after a rare mistake from captain Kamil Glik who was caught out of position and that allowed Lucas Castro to run clear and finish well from just outside the box.
Toro couldn't find a way back into the match and therefore fell to their first defeat of the season, but the lack of energy and quality in the performance was probably more of a worry for the Toro fans.
Forza Toro!
Wednesday 23 September 2015
Chievo v Torino Preview
In order for this to happen, Toro would need a favour from Chievo's city rivals Hellas who face league leaders Inter tonight.
The Granata have no injury worries themselves, but there are rumours that Giampiero Ventura will make changes to the team - with Davide Zappacosta, Joel Obi and Josef Martinez all having a chance to come into the side.
Chievo made a promising start to the season by gaining 7 points from their first three games, but they narrowly lost to Inter last time out. Former Granata men Valter Birsa and Riccardo Meggiorini are key players for the home side, and should both start tonight.
Prediction
Chievo 1-1 Torino
Monday 21 September 2015
Torino 2-0 Sampdoria
Torino's fine start to the season continued with an impressive 2-0 victory against Sampdoria on Sunday afternoon.
Emiliano Moretti returned to the Toro starting eleven whilst Afriyie Acquah made his first start in midfield.
Toro made a bright start and were ahead after only eighteen minutes when Bruno Peres' cross was met by a bullet header from former Samp striker Fabio Quagliarella. The Granata doubled that lead six minutes later when the away side failed to deal with a corner and Andrea Belotti's cross was tapped home by Quagliarella for his second of the game.
Despite their slow start, Sampdoria looked threatening going forward and Eder had a great chance to reduce the arrears when he rounded Daniele Padelli, but the Italian international could not beat either Kamil Glik or Emiliano Moretti on the line.
Padelli made a great save to deny Eder once again, whilst Toro continued to create chances on the counter attack with substitute Maxi Lopez hitting the side netting.
This was a good victory for the Granata whose bright start was key to beating a decent Sampdoria side, and moved them up to 2nd in the Serie A table for a couple of days at least.
Forza Toro
Emiliano Moretti returned to the Toro starting eleven whilst Afriyie Acquah made his first start in midfield.
Toro made a bright start and were ahead after only eighteen minutes when Bruno Peres' cross was met by a bullet header from former Samp striker Fabio Quagliarella. The Granata doubled that lead six minutes later when the away side failed to deal with a corner and Andrea Belotti's cross was tapped home by Quagliarella for his second of the game.
Despite their slow start, Sampdoria looked threatening going forward and Eder had a great chance to reduce the arrears when he rounded Daniele Padelli, but the Italian international could not beat either Kamil Glik or Emiliano Moretti on the line.
Padelli made a great save to deny Eder once again, whilst Toro continued to create chances on the counter attack with substitute Maxi Lopez hitting the side netting.
This was a good victory for the Granata whose bright start was key to beating a decent Sampdoria side, and moved them up to 2nd in the Serie A table for a couple of days at least.
Forza Toro
Saturday 19 September 2015
Torino v Sampdoria Preview
The Granata welcome Emiliano Moretti and Marco Benassi back into the squad, but Danilo Avelar misses out through injury. Afriyie Acquah could start in midfield after his goalscoring cameo off the bench against Hellas last weekend.
Like Toro, Sampdoria have won two and drawn one of their opening three Serie A fixtures with Brazilian striker Eder being in fine form having scored five goals already this season.
Prediction
Torino 2-1 Sampdoria
Monday 14 September 2015
Hellas Verona 2-2 Torino
Torino maintained their unbeaten start to the season as they twice came from behind to earn a deserved point against Hellas Verona on Sunday afternoon.
The Granata were hampered with a number of injury problems, as Nikola Maksimovic, Emiliano Moretti, Alessandro Gazzi and Marco Benassi all missed out. However, Andrea Belotti made his debut and joined Fabio Quagliarella in attack.
Toro were slow to start once again, and they were thankful for Daniele Padelli, who made a splendid one handed save to deny Luca Toni.
The second half was only four minutes old when the home side were awarded a controversial penalty when Pontus Jansson was adjudged to have tripped Juanito, despite replays showing the Brazilian had just missed his kick and fell over. Luca Toni stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake, as Toro went behind for the fourth game in succession.
However, Toro were level fifteen minutes later when home keeper Rafael could only parry Fabio Quagliarella's angled drive, and Daniele Baselli was able to tap home for his fourth goal in as many games.
Toro had looked vulnerable from set pieces all game and were punished when Hellas took the lead for a second time after Federico Viviani's floated free kick was headed home by Juanito.
However, the lead lasted for less than sixty seconds, as Rafael needlessly punched a Cristian Molinaro cross and the ball fell for substitute Afriyie Acquah who side footed the ball into the empty net.
Toro were unable to find a winning goal in the closing stages, and a point each was probably a fair result and it allowed the Granata to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Forza Toro!
The Granata were hampered with a number of injury problems, as Nikola Maksimovic, Emiliano Moretti, Alessandro Gazzi and Marco Benassi all missed out. However, Andrea Belotti made his debut and joined Fabio Quagliarella in attack.
Toro were slow to start once again, and they were thankful for Daniele Padelli, who made a splendid one handed save to deny Luca Toni.
The second half was only four minutes old when the home side were awarded a controversial penalty when Pontus Jansson was adjudged to have tripped Juanito, despite replays showing the Brazilian had just missed his kick and fell over. Luca Toni stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake, as Toro went behind for the fourth game in succession.
However, Toro were level fifteen minutes later when home keeper Rafael could only parry Fabio Quagliarella's angled drive, and Daniele Baselli was able to tap home for his fourth goal in as many games.
Toro had looked vulnerable from set pieces all game and were punished when Hellas took the lead for a second time after Federico Viviani's floated free kick was headed home by Juanito.
However, the lead lasted for less than sixty seconds, as Rafael needlessly punched a Cristian Molinaro cross and the ball fell for substitute Afriyie Acquah who side footed the ball into the empty net.
Toro were unable to find a winning goal in the closing stages, and a point each was probably a fair result and it allowed the Granata to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Forza Toro!
Saturday 12 September 2015
Hellas Verona v Torino Preview
The Granata have a fine recent record against their hosts, winning their last three matches in Verona by a 3-1 scoreline.
However, Toro will have to make do without two of their first choice back three, as Nikola Maksimovic and Emiliano Moretti both miss out. They should be replaced by able deputies Cesare Bovo and Pontus Jansson, although youngster Valerio Mantovani has also been included in the squad and could be a surprise debutant.
Elsewhere in the team, Bosnian midfielder Sanjin Prcic is included in the squad for the first time, and Andrea Belotti could finally make his long awaited debut.
Hellas are seeking their first victory of the season, and whilst they earned a creditable 1-1 draw against Roma in the opening game, they fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Genoa last time out.
Prediction
Hellas Verona 1-1 Torino
Tuesday 1 September 2015
Torino 3-1 Fiorentina
Torino maintained their 100% record as for the third time this season they came from behind to win, with an impressive 3-1 victory against Fiorentina.
Toro only made two changes from the team who beat Frosinone as Giuseppe Vives and Josef Martinez came in for Alessandro Gazzi and Maxi Lopez.
The Granata made a slow start and were behind early on once again, as Nikola Kalinic's header was initially saved by Daniele Padelli but the rebound found former Bolton defender Marcos Alonso who tapped in.
Alonso then risked the wrath of the Curva Maratona by imitating a bull fighter in his celebration, a gesture which was deemed to be provocative by the referee and the Spaniard received a yellow card for his troubles. To Alonso's credit, he immediately issued an apology and stated that he never intended to offend the Toro supporters.
The home side were outclassed by the visitors in the first half and chances were limited, although Ciprian Tatarusanu did tip a Fabio Quagliarella header over the bar.
With twenty minutes remaining the Granata finally scored their equaliser as Emiliano Moretti pounced in the area following a corner and found the net with an excellent left footed volley.
And incredibly, a minute later, Toro were in the lead as Bruno Peres found Fabio Quagliarella who calmly slid the ball past Tatarusanu from a tight angle.
The result was put beyond any doubt with thirteen minutes remaining when Daniele Baselli skipped past Borja Valero and fired the ball into the top corner from fully thirty yards.
This was an impressive result against a strong Fiorentina side, although Giampiero Ventura will be worried by Toro's defensive frailties which have seen them concede early on in each of their three fixtures this season.
Forza Toro
Toro only made two changes from the team who beat Frosinone as Giuseppe Vives and Josef Martinez came in for Alessandro Gazzi and Maxi Lopez.
The Granata made a slow start and were behind early on once again, as Nikola Kalinic's header was initially saved by Daniele Padelli but the rebound found former Bolton defender Marcos Alonso who tapped in.
Alonso then risked the wrath of the Curva Maratona by imitating a bull fighter in his celebration, a gesture which was deemed to be provocative by the referee and the Spaniard received a yellow card for his troubles. To Alonso's credit, he immediately issued an apology and stated that he never intended to offend the Toro supporters.
The home side were outclassed by the visitors in the first half and chances were limited, although Ciprian Tatarusanu did tip a Fabio Quagliarella header over the bar.
With twenty minutes remaining the Granata finally scored their equaliser as Emiliano Moretti pounced in the area following a corner and found the net with an excellent left footed volley.
And incredibly, a minute later, Toro were in the lead as Bruno Peres found Fabio Quagliarella who calmly slid the ball past Tatarusanu from a tight angle.
The result was put beyond any doubt with thirteen minutes remaining when Daniele Baselli skipped past Borja Valero and fired the ball into the top corner from fully thirty yards.
This was an impressive result against a strong Fiorentina side, although Giampiero Ventura will be worried by Toro's defensive frailties which have seen them concede early on in each of their three fixtures this season.
Forza Toro
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