Torino returned to the top of the Serie B table as Mirco Antenucci's brace was enough to see of his former side Ascoli on Saturday afternoon.
Toro had moved down to 2nd place after Sassuolo's narrow 1-0 victory against Nocerina on Friday night, and many pundits wondered how Torino would respond to losing their place at the top. Giampiero Ventura decided to counter Ascoli's 5-3-2 formation by playing a 4-3-3, with Giuseppe De Feudis earning a rare start in the absence of the suspended Manuel Iori.
Torino had the first chance of the match after Migjen Basha's cross found the head of Rolando Bianchi, but the captain struggled to get much power behind the header, and it was easily saved by Ascoli keeper Enrico Guarna. Just before the twenty minute mark, Torino took the lead when Mirco Antenucci received the ball outside the area and curled a fantastic shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
However, Ascoli levelled just ten minutes later after Alex Pederzoli's corner found its way to Matteo Ciofani at the far post who stabbed the ball past Ferdinando Coppola, who was returning to the side after suspension. Torino had a chance to regain the lead, but Rolando Bianchi's poor form in front of goal continued as he headed Mirco Antenucci's cross five yards wide of the post.
Torino started the second half brightly, and midfielder Migjen Basha let fly with an ambitious shot from 35 yards, that was nervously palmed away for a corner. With 25 minutes remained, Torino took the lead for a second time, and once again it was Mirco Antenucci who got the goal. The former Ascoli striker dribbled into the area before unleashing a scuffed shot that somehow found its way underneath away keeper Guarna.
Torino had opportunities to extend their lead when Valerio Di Cesare hit the bar from six yards, whilst Mirco Antenucci came close to scoring his third goal of the afternoon, but his shot went narrowly wide. The visitors nearly made the home side pay for their missed chances, but Papa Waigo's shot was well parried by Coppola, and Alessandro Sbaffo's follow up went wide of the target.
Torino held on for a vital three points that quickly re-established their position as league leaders, ahead of two difficult away games against Cittadella and Varese. With much speculation surrounding the impending arrival of striker Riccardo Meggiorini, it was perhaps expected that Mirco Antenucci would choose this game to remind Giampiero Ventura of his ability. Lets hope that if Meggiorini does arrive, it will also motivate Rolando Bianchi to find his scoring boots.
Forza Torino
Showing posts with label Ascoli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ascoli. Show all posts
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Friday, 13 January 2012
Torino V Ascoli Preview
On paper, the visit of bottom side Ascoli should be a good opportunity to gain all three points, but as all Torino fans are aware - Toro never do anything easily. In the reverse fixture, which was also the first game of the season, Torino came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to a late goal by Nnamdi Oduamadi.
The Nigerian winger is included in the Torino squad for Saturday's game, and he will be competing with Simone Verdi for a starting position on the wing. Toro will be without Manuel Iori and Giulio Ebagua after both players were sent off against Albinoleffe - therefore Giuseppe Vives and Migjen Basha are almost certain to be the two central midfielders.
Rolando Bianchi will once again aim to end his scoring drought, as the former Manchester City striker has not found the net since October 15th against Juve Stabia. Incredibly, Bianchi is only ten goals away from overtaking Ezio Loik to become Torino's tenth highest goalscorer of all time. However, he will have to return to form quickly (and not leave in January) in order to achieve that goal this season.
Visitors Ascoli may be bottom of the table, but in reality this is a false position due to the team being deducted seven points this season for various misdemeanours. As a Southampton fan, I'm also fully aware of the unpredictable talents of former striker Papa Waigo. Therefore the Torino defence should also be wary of the striker, who has scored seven goals this season.
Forza Torino
Prediction
Torino 2-0 Ascoli
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Ascoli 1-2 Torino
Giampiero Ventura had the ideal start to his reign as Torino coach, as Toro came from behind to beat Ascoli 2-1 in their opening Serie B game of the season.
It took just three minutes for the first controversial moment of the season to occur, as new signing Simone Verdi went down the right hand side and his cross found Rolando Bianchi whose shot looked to have crossed the line. Despite claims by Bianchi and his teammates that the whole of the ball did cross the line, the referee did not give the goal, and play continued.
Torino were further incensed when just one minute later, Ascoli went up the other end and scored the opening goal of the match. The goal came from a corner, as happened so many times last season, and indecision from keeper Ferdinando Coppola and Kamil Glik allowed Sinisa Andjelkovic to head home.
Torino reacted positively to going behind, and Rolando Bianchi had a great chance to equalise after Migjen Basha's fantastic through ball, but Bianchi's shot went wide of the post. Torino had the opening chance of the second half, as Giulio Ebagua could only divert Alessandro Parisi cross narrowly wide.
Giampiero Ventura made his first substitution of the match, and it was a brave one as well, taking off experienced winger Stefano Guberti to bring on youngster Nnamdi Oduamadi who is on loan from AC Milan. However, it was another man signed from AC Milan in the summer, Simone Verdi, who got Torino back into the match, as he won his new team a penalty.
After nice footwork in the area, the impressive Verdi was clearly fouled by Ascoli defender Alex Pederzoli and it was Captain Rolando Bianchi who converted the penalty to equalise. Torino almost took the lead moments later, when Simone Verdi came close to scoring with a free kick from 25 yards, but it was well saved by Ascoli goalkeeper Enrico Guarna.
Torino were helped in their quest to gain all three points when Ascoli were reduced to ten men, as substitute Marcello Gazzola was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. And with just three minutes remaining, Torino got the winning goal that they deserved, after Rolando Bianchi's neat back heel sent substitute Oduamadi through on goal, and he finished calmly into the corner of the net to give Torino a victory.
With the transfer window closing on Wednesday, there is now not long to wait until we will know whether Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi will be staying at the club for the foreseeable future. This hard fought victory in the opening game is the ideal start for Torino in their challenge for promotion, and will be looking for a similar result when they face Cittadella in their first home game on Wednesday night.
Forza Torino
It took just three minutes for the first controversial moment of the season to occur, as new signing Simone Verdi went down the right hand side and his cross found Rolando Bianchi whose shot looked to have crossed the line. Despite claims by Bianchi and his teammates that the whole of the ball did cross the line, the referee did not give the goal, and play continued.
Torino were further incensed when just one minute later, Ascoli went up the other end and scored the opening goal of the match. The goal came from a corner, as happened so many times last season, and indecision from keeper Ferdinando Coppola and Kamil Glik allowed Sinisa Andjelkovic to head home.
Torino reacted positively to going behind, and Rolando Bianchi had a great chance to equalise after Migjen Basha's fantastic through ball, but Bianchi's shot went wide of the post. Torino had the opening chance of the second half, as Giulio Ebagua could only divert Alessandro Parisi cross narrowly wide.
Giampiero Ventura made his first substitution of the match, and it was a brave one as well, taking off experienced winger Stefano Guberti to bring on youngster Nnamdi Oduamadi who is on loan from AC Milan. However, it was another man signed from AC Milan in the summer, Simone Verdi, who got Torino back into the match, as he won his new team a penalty.
After nice footwork in the area, the impressive Verdi was clearly fouled by Ascoli defender Alex Pederzoli and it was Captain Rolando Bianchi who converted the penalty to equalise. Torino almost took the lead moments later, when Simone Verdi came close to scoring with a free kick from 25 yards, but it was well saved by Ascoli goalkeeper Enrico Guarna.
Torino were helped in their quest to gain all three points when Ascoli were reduced to ten men, as substitute Marcello Gazzola was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. And with just three minutes remaining, Torino got the winning goal that they deserved, after Rolando Bianchi's neat back heel sent substitute Oduamadi through on goal, and he finished calmly into the corner of the net to give Torino a victory.
With the transfer window closing on Wednesday, there is now not long to wait until we will know whether Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi will be staying at the club for the foreseeable future. This hard fought victory in the opening game is the ideal start for Torino in their challenge for promotion, and will be looking for a similar result when they face Cittadella in their first home game on Wednesday night.
Forza Torino
Friday, 26 August 2011
Ascoli V Torino Preview
Whilst the start of the Serie A season has been delayed due to a players' strike, the Serie B season will go ahead as normal, and Torino face Ascoli in their opening game.
It has been a busy summer for Torino, with no less than eleven new players joining the club, as well as a new coach being appointed in the form of the experienced Giampiero Ventura. After last season's disastrous campaign, as Torino failed to reach the playoffs, one is optimistic that Torino can fare much better this time around, and perhaps mount a serious challenge for automatic promotion, something that has not happened in the last two seasons.
As things stand, both Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi remain at the club, and whilst discussion regarding their futures will continue until the end of the transfer window, it would be a massive boost to Torino's promotion chances should both players remain at the club.
Ascoli have also had an eventful summer, and it looks as though they will begin the season with a points deduction, due to their role in last season's match fixing scandal, as well as having continued financial problems.
Last season, when the two sides met in Ascoli, it was Torino who came out on top, with a surprising 4-0 victory, lets hope for a repeat of that scoreline on Saturday.
Forza Torino
It has been a busy summer for Torino, with no less than eleven new players joining the club, as well as a new coach being appointed in the form of the experienced Giampiero Ventura. After last season's disastrous campaign, as Torino failed to reach the playoffs, one is optimistic that Torino can fare much better this time around, and perhaps mount a serious challenge for automatic promotion, something that has not happened in the last two seasons.
As things stand, both Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi remain at the club, and whilst discussion regarding their futures will continue until the end of the transfer window, it would be a massive boost to Torino's promotion chances should both players remain at the club.
Ascoli have also had an eventful summer, and it looks as though they will begin the season with a points deduction, due to their role in last season's match fixing scandal, as well as having continued financial problems.
Last season, when the two sides met in Ascoli, it was Torino who came out on top, with a surprising 4-0 victory, lets hope for a repeat of that scoreline on Saturday.
Forza Torino
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Ascoli 0-4 Torino
Franco Lerda's return as Torino manager was a successful one as they enjoyed an emphatic 4-0 victory away at Ascoli, and gave their fans renewed hope of achieving a playoff birth. After a miserable one month period, in which Torino had lost four consecutive games, sacked two managers, and then rehired Franco Lerda, the man they had previously sacked, Torino's stylish return to winning ways was unexpected but long overdue.
Torino got off to an ideal start, with Rolando Bianchi ending his mini goal drought when he headed home after just seven minutes. On the stroke of half time, Torino doubled their lead, when Luciano Zavagno's fine cross found Bianchi whose bullet header gave the home goalkeeper no chance. Just sixty seconds into the second half, Torino got their third goal in fortunate circumstances after Alessandro Budel's free kick was diverted into his own net by Vasco Faísca.
However, the game was not over just yet, and Ascoli had an opportunity to gain a foothold in the match just one minute later when Claudio Rivalta's handball gave them a penalty. However, Luigi Giorgi saw his spot kick saved by Rubinho in the Torino goal, and when Mirco Antenucci added a fourth goal with a outstanding curling effort, the result was beyond doubt.
Whilst it would be wrong to ignore all the problems that led to Torino losing four consecutive games in the first place, this result will certainly give renewed hope that all may not be lost in this season. As things stand, Torino are just one point away from the final playoff position, and if the team can display the same degree of team spirit and quality that was shown in this match in their remaining fixtures, then there is no reason why they can't reach the playoffs.
Torino got off to an ideal start, with Rolando Bianchi ending his mini goal drought when he headed home after just seven minutes. On the stroke of half time, Torino doubled their lead, when Luciano Zavagno's fine cross found Bianchi whose bullet header gave the home goalkeeper no chance. Just sixty seconds into the second half, Torino got their third goal in fortunate circumstances after Alessandro Budel's free kick was diverted into his own net by Vasco Faísca.
However, the game was not over just yet, and Ascoli had an opportunity to gain a foothold in the match just one minute later when Claudio Rivalta's handball gave them a penalty. However, Luigi Giorgi saw his spot kick saved by Rubinho in the Torino goal, and when Mirco Antenucci added a fourth goal with a outstanding curling effort, the result was beyond doubt.
Whilst it would be wrong to ignore all the problems that led to Torino losing four consecutive games in the first place, this result will certainly give renewed hope that all may not be lost in this season. As things stand, Torino are just one point away from the final playoff position, and if the team can display the same degree of team spirit and quality that was shown in this match in their remaining fixtures, then there is no reason why they can't reach the playoffs.
Friday, 25 March 2011
Ascoli V Torino Preview
After Franco Lerda's shock return to the club, Torino will be eager to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat and attempt to reignite their slim promotion hopes with a victory.
Despite their disastrous recent form, incredibly Toro only find themselves four points away from the last playoff position. However, Ascoli should not be taken lightly, as they have won their last two matches, and if it wasn't for the fact they were deducted five points due to financial irregularities, then they would be level on points with Torino.
Whilst Torino will obviously be concerned by the fact they have lost four games in a row, another worry is the fact they have not scored a goal in their last three games. The fact that talisman Rolando Bianchi has not scored since he got winner against Portogruaro way back on the 26th February will also be a worry, and one which will hopefully be rectified on Saturday evening.
Despite their disastrous recent form, incredibly Toro only find themselves four points away from the last playoff position. However, Ascoli should not be taken lightly, as they have won their last two matches, and if it wasn't for the fact they were deducted five points due to financial irregularities, then they would be level on points with Torino.
Whilst Torino will obviously be concerned by the fact they have lost four games in a row, another worry is the fact they have not scored a goal in their last three games. The fact that talisman Rolando Bianchi has not scored since he got winner against Portogruaro way back on the 26th February will also be a worry, and one which will hopefully be rectified on Saturday evening.
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