Torino FC 2012/13 Awards

Now that the dust has settled on the 2012/2013 Serie A season, the time has come to recap the season from a Torino viewpoint, and what better way to do that than with a series of end of season awards. I'm sure there will be some disagreements regarding my choices, but feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments section below.

Player of the Season - Alessio Cerci

In past seasons the 'Player of the Season' award has been put to a public vote with the readers of the blog being able to have their say, but after this campaign that seemed to be a little futile, with Alessio Cerci being the only candidate to win the award. The winger arrived from Fiorentina in the summer with a reputation as being a talented but frustrating player, but after a number of outstanding performances in a Torino shirt, Cerci has been rewarded with international recognition and he is likely to be included in the Italy squad for this summer's Confederations Cup. His tally of eight goals and as many assists was essential in helping Toro avoid relegation, and he is now inevitably being linked with a move away from the club.

Game of the Season -  Fiorentina 4-3 Torino

The Granata had an unfortunate habit of being on the losing side in entertaining games this season, and that was probably best illustrated in an end of season game against the Viola in April. After going 3-0 down within thirty-three minutes, Torino showed some great character to score three excellent goals and looked likely to earn a deserved point. However, after throwing away a chance to win it themselves on the counter attack, they were made to pay moments later as Romulo scored a dramatic late winner to break Toro hearts. Other games that could have easily won this award were two more Toro defeats, Cagliari 4-3 Torino and Torino 3-5 Napoli, but in my opinion this game was probably the most dramatic of the three.

Shock Moment of the Season - Alessandro Rosina's penalty miss

Back in January, with Torino leading relegation rivals Siena 3-2 in the closing stages, the away side were awarded a controversial penalty in front of the Curva Maratona. Former Torino captain Alessandro Rosina stepped up to take the spot kick, and given his excellent penalty record that he enjoyed whilst he was with the Granata, I don't think anybody expected him to miss. But incredibly, Rosina put his penalty wide of the post, and Torino held on for what turned out to be a crucial victory.

Individual Performance of the Season - Riccardo Meggiorini V Inter

After his performance against Inter at the San Siro in January this season, the belief that Riccardo Meggiorini was only able to score against his former club was increasing amongst Toro fans. Meggio had gone into that game without a goal all season, but he scored two well taken goals to put the Granata on the verge of a historic victory - but like so often this season, they had to settle for a point instead.

Celebration of the Season - Rolando Bianchi v Roma

To be honest, this is just an excuse to ensure that Rolando Bianchi ends his final season Torino with some (albeit meaningless) silverware. Bianchi had a habit of passionately celebrating all of his 77 goals for the club, but even by his standards, his reaction to equalising against Roma was something special as he took off his shirt and raced around the pitch.

Miss of the Season - Jonathas v Juventus

This is arguably the most controversial choice considering he was undoubtedly being fouled at the time, but Jonathas had the chance to make himself a Torino legend in the 80th minute of the derby against Juventus with the scores level. However, he was unable to get a touch on Alessio Cerci's low cross, and as we know it proved to be decisive as Juve scored two late goals to get yet another victory over Torino.

My Personal Goal of the Season - Valter Birsa V Atalanta

I will be doing the traditional 'Goal of the Season' video compilation in the next few days, and this goal doesn't make the cut, but on a personal level I felt it needed to be mentioned. The reason for this is that Birsa's somewhat scruffy goal is actually the first 'winning goal' I have ever seen a Torino player score live, as I finally managed to end my seven year wait to see a Torino victory.

Torino 3-2 Siena

Torino overcame a number of suspensions to key players to record an important victory against relegation rivals Siena, although they had a late scare when former Granata skipper Alessandro Rosina missed a last minute penalty.

With Matteo Darmian, Salvatore Masiello, Kamil Glik, Alessandro Gazzi and Giuseppe Vives suspended - changes were forced upon Giampiero Ventura, and he had to give Uruguayan full back Pablo Caceres his first start for the club.

Toro had a dream start and were ahead within five minutes when Alessio Cerci and Danilo D'Ambrosio combined well down the right wing, and the full back delivered a low cross for Matteo Brighi to score from ten yards out.

However, Siena equalised on the half hour mark when some poor defending from a corner allowed Brazilian Reginaldo to scuff the ball into the back of the net. But it took the Granata just six minutes to regain the lead, when yet another excellent cross from Valter Birsa found and unmarked Rolando Bianchi who headed in from six yards. 

The Tuscan side were pressing for another equaliser just before half time, and Jean Francois Gillet had to make an acrobatic save in order to tip Massimo Paci's header over the bar. In injury time, Siena were made to pay for their over eagerness when a long clearance from D'Ambrosio put Alessio Cerci through on goal, and the former Fiorentina winger ran the length of the pitch before keeping calm to round Gianluca Pegolo and score.

Siena dominated long spells of the second half, and Gillet had to make a great save in order to deny Alessandro Rosina. With fifteen minutes remaining, the away side were rewarded for their second half ambition, as a sublime pass by Reginaldo allowed substitute Michele Paolucci to side foot the ball past Jean Francois Gillet.

That goal gave the Bianconeri momentum, and in the 89th minute - they were given an excellent chance to equalise when Matteo Brighi was adjudged to have fouled Siena debutant Francesco Della Rocca in the area - the second controversial penalty awarded against Torino in as many weeks.

Predictably, it was former Toro captain Alessandro Rosina who stepped forward to take the last minute penalty - and having scored his last eleven Serie A spot kicks - his confidence was understandably high. However, Rosina surprisingly put his penalty wide of the post and that enabled Torino to somehow hold on for a crucial three points.

This victory puts Toro six points clear of the relegation zone, and the Granata seem to be on course to achieve their pre-season aim of avoiding relegation.

Forza Torino

Angelo Ogbonna Makes Italy Debut

Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna made his long-awaited Italy debut, as Italy beat Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland 2-0 in Wrocław.

As you may remember, Angelo was originally called up to the Italy squad by Cesare Prandelli for the friendly match against Ireland in June, but he has had to wait until now to finally make his debut.

Ogbonna gained his first cap as a substitute, replacing Domenico Criscito in the 77th minute with Italy two goals to the good thanks to strikes from Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini. He played in his usual position of centre back, as the more experienced Giorgio Chiellini moved to left back.

Understandably, Angelo looked slightly nervous as he made his international debut, but apart from his first touch as an Azzurri player - a poor back-pass to Gianluigi Buffon, he looked relatively assured and helped Italy to maintain a clean sheet and win the match.

His debut was tarnished slightly as he received a yellow card (somewhat harshly) in the 92nd minute, but that should not take anything away from the fact, that a player who has played the last three seasons in Serie B has managed to become the first Torino player to play for Italy since Alessandro Rosina in 2007.

Lets hope he will continue his impressive performances with Torino when he returns from international duty, and gain a place in Prandelli's final 23 man squad that he will take to Euro 2012.