Torino reignited their hopes for Europa League qualification following a narrow 1-0 victory over Inter on Sunday evening.
Armando Izzo returned to the starting eleven following suspension, whilst Cristian Ansaldi maintained his place in centre midfield, and Simone Zaza made a rare start upfront.
The away side should have taken the lead in the early stages but Lautaro Martínez somehow put his shot wide of the post when well placed.
Salvatore Sirigu made a good save to deny Mauro Icardi as the Granata had to withstand a spell of early pressure from Inter.
However, with ten minutes until half time, it was Toro who would take the lead as Armando Izzo met Cristian Ansaldi's cross with a looping header into the far corner.
Both sides struggled to create chances after the break, although substitute Matteo Politano whistled a shot just past the post from long range.
Frustration would later get the better of the former Sassuolo man, as he was shown a straight red card in the dying moments for dissent, and Toro were able to hold on for a valuable three points.
Forza Toro
Wednesday 30 January 2019
Sunday 27 January 2019
Torino v Inter Preview
Armando Izzo has recovered from suspension and should replace Lyanco in defence, whilst Daniele Baselli and Sasa Lukic have both recovered from injury. However, Cristian Ansaldi, who impressed when deputising in centre midfield against Roma could keep his place.
Up front, Simone Zaza could earn a rare start and partner Andrea Belotti in attack, with Iago Falque dropped to the bench.
Inter are unbeaten in their last five Serie A matches, however, they did only draw against Chievo and Sassuolo, which should give Toro hope of causing an upset.
Prediction
Torino 1-1 Inter
Tuesday 22 January 2019
Roma 3-2 Torino
Torino's unbeaten away record is no more as they were beaten 3-2 in the Italian capital by Roma on Saturday afternoon.
In the absence of the suspended Armando Izzo, Lyanco made his first league start in over a year, whilst an injury crisis in midfield forced Cristian Ansaldi to play as a makeshift centre midfielder. A late injury in the warm up for Sasa Lukic meant a change in formation and a rare start for Vittorio Parigini.
Despite a bright start, Toro were behind after only fifteen minutes when they failed to clear a set piece, and whilst Nicolo Zaniolo's initial shot was saved by Salvatore Sirigu, he was still able to have a second shot which went past the former PSG keeper.
Roma doubled their lead ten minutes before half time when Salvatore Sirigu upended snooker fanatic Stephen El Shaarawy in the area. That allowed Aleksander Kolarov to step up and send Sirigu the wrong way.
Toro had a chance to reduce the deficit just before half time, but Iago Falque could only hit the post when through on goal.
However, Torino looked a totally different team after half time, and it only took them six minutes to get a goal back, through Tomas Rincon's curling effort from just outside the area.
Mid way through the second half, Torino then scored a deserved equaliser thanks to Cristian Ansaldi's excellent first time volley from nearly twenty-five yards.
However, just five minutes later, Roma regained the lead thanks to El Shaarawy's calm finish following Lorenzo Pellegrini's excellent through ball.
Toro thought they should have had a penalty following a foul by Robin Olsen on Andrea Belotti, but it was not given, and the Granata lost their first away game of the season.
Forza Toro
In the absence of the suspended Armando Izzo, Lyanco made his first league start in over a year, whilst an injury crisis in midfield forced Cristian Ansaldi to play as a makeshift centre midfielder. A late injury in the warm up for Sasa Lukic meant a change in formation and a rare start for Vittorio Parigini.
Despite a bright start, Toro were behind after only fifteen minutes when they failed to clear a set piece, and whilst Nicolo Zaniolo's initial shot was saved by Salvatore Sirigu, he was still able to have a second shot which went past the former PSG keeper.
Roma doubled their lead ten minutes before half time when Salvatore Sirigu upended snooker fanatic Stephen El Shaarawy in the area. That allowed Aleksander Kolarov to step up and send Sirigu the wrong way.
Toro had a chance to reduce the deficit just before half time, but Iago Falque could only hit the post when through on goal.
However, Torino looked a totally different team after half time, and it only took them six minutes to get a goal back, through Tomas Rincon's curling effort from just outside the area.
Mid way through the second half, Torino then scored a deserved equaliser thanks to Cristian Ansaldi's excellent first time volley from nearly twenty-five yards.
However, just five minutes later, Roma regained the lead thanks to El Shaarawy's calm finish following Lorenzo Pellegrini's excellent through ball.
Toro thought they should have had a penalty following a foul by Robin Olsen on Andrea Belotti, but it was not given, and the Granata lost their first away game of the season.
Forza Toro
Saturday 19 January 2019
Roma v Torino Preview
The Granata are unbeaten away from home this season, but that has included eight draws and only two victories.
Toro will be without the suspended Armando Izzo and Soualiho Meïté for the game, whilst Emiliano Moretti and Daniele Baselli are injured.
With so many absentees, Walter Mazzarri has included three Primavera products in the squad, defender Erick Ferigra, midfielder Michel Adopo and striker Vincenzo Millico, who has scored a remarkable 21 goals already this season.
Roma are currently three points above Toro, and have won three of their last four home games in the league.
Prediction
Roma 2-1 Torino
Tuesday 15 January 2019
Torino 0-2 Fiorentina
Torino were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon after conceding two late Federico Chiesa goals.
As expected, Toro named their strongest available line up, although Simone Zaza picked up an injury in training so was not on the bench.
In a first half devoid of quality, it was the away side who had the best chances, with Jordan Veretout and then Kevin Mirallas both forcing Salvatore Sirigu into saves.
Toro made a much better start to the second half, and Andrea Belotti had a great chance at the far post, but his volley was blocked.
Lorenzo De Silvestri had a good chance after Ola Aina's excellent cross, but the wing back headed over the bar. The former Fiorentina man then thought he had made amends and opened the scoring, but his effort, after a lengthy VAR delay, was disallowed.
With three minutes remaining, Torino were caught on the counter attack from their own corner and Giovanni Simeone used his pace to escape the Toro defence. Whilst his shot was saved by Sirigu, Federico Chiesa was on hand to score.
In injury time, the Viola once again caught Toro on the break, as Chiesa outpaced substitute Lyanco and finished well past Sirigu to ensure Fiorentina's passage into the Coppa Italia quarter finals.
As expected, Toro named their strongest available line up, although Simone Zaza picked up an injury in training so was not on the bench.
In a first half devoid of quality, it was the away side who had the best chances, with Jordan Veretout and then Kevin Mirallas both forcing Salvatore Sirigu into saves.
Toro made a much better start to the second half, and Andrea Belotti had a great chance at the far post, but his volley was blocked.
Lorenzo De Silvestri had a good chance after Ola Aina's excellent cross, but the wing back headed over the bar. The former Fiorentina man then thought he had made amends and opened the scoring, but his effort, after a lengthy VAR delay, was disallowed.
With three minutes remaining, Torino were caught on the counter attack from their own corner and Giovanni Simeone used his pace to escape the Toro defence. Whilst his shot was saved by Sirigu, Federico Chiesa was on hand to score.
In injury time, the Viola once again caught Toro on the break, as Chiesa outpaced substitute Lyanco and finished well past Sirigu to ensure Fiorentina's passage into the Coppa Italia quarter finals.
Saturday 12 January 2019
Torino v Fiorentina Preview
Both sides are likely to name a full strength side, with the cup being seen as an extra route to Europa League qualification.
In the Serie A game between the two sides back in October, former Toro midfielder Marco Benassi gave the Viola an early lead, but Toro equalised via an Alban Lafont own goal.
Prediction
Torino 1-1 Fiorentina (Torino to win on penalties)
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