Bologna 1-1 Torino

Torino came from behind to end the 2019/20 season with a 1-1 draw against Bologna on Sunday evening.

Moreno Longo gave Antonio Rosati a rare start in goal but the experienced goalkeeper was at fault for the opening goal.

Swedish midfielder Mattias Svanberg's low shot from just outside the area did enough to beat Rosati and give Bologna an 18th minute lead.

Former Bologna man Simone Verdi had Toro's best chance to equalise in the first half, but his shot was well saved by Lukasz Skorupski.

Toro did find an equaliser mid way through the second half, as Verdi's cross field ball was sensationally volleyed home by Simone Zaza.

Substitute Federico Santander almost scored a winning goal for the home side, but his shot went narrowly wide of the far post.

Youngster Christian Celesia came off the bench to make his Toro debut in injury time, and almost made an immediate impact but Andrea Belotti could not make a clean contact on his low cross.

Toro settled for a point and a 16th place finish in a season that started with such optimism but ended with disappointment.

Forza Toro

Bologna v Torino Preview

Torino will travel to Bologna for their final game of the Serie A season, knowing that they can't improve on a 16th place finish.

Antonio Rosati will make a rare start in goal as Moreno Longo continues to rest first choice Salvatore Sirigu, whilst Armando Izzo has returned from injury.

Former Toro boss Sinisa Mihajlovic will be expecting a reaction from his side having lost 4-0 against Fiorentina in their last game.

Prediction
Bologna 2-2 Torino

Torino 1-0 Bologna

Torino were not at their best, but managed to do enough for all three points against Bologna on Sunday evening.

Tomas Rincon missed the game due to flu, so Soualiho Meite started in midfield alongside Sasa Lukic.

Toro took the lead after just ten minutes when Andrea Belotti set up Thursday's cup hero Alex Berenguer to score.

Simone Verdi came close to scoring his first goal for the club against his former side, but his curling effort hit the post.

The away side dominated the second half, against a tired looking Torino side, and Argentine Rodrigo Palacio twice missed glorious chance where it had seemed easier to score.

However, Toro somehow held on to claim an important victory, with European qualification now looking like a possibility.

Forza Toro

Torino v Bologna Preview

Torino will look to maintain their perfect start to 2020 when they host Bologna on Sunday afternoon at the Stadio Grande Torino.

Toro will be without the injured Simone Zaza, so Toro should keep the Verdi, Berenguer and Belotti trident that played against Roma last weekend.

Former Toro coach Sinisa Mihajlovic will make his first return to the Grande Torino since being diagnosed with leukemia, and is sure to receive a great reception from the Granata fans.

Prediction 
Torino 2-1 Bologna

Torino 2-3 Bologna

Torino's excellent run of form finally ended as they succumbed to a surprise 3-2 defeat at home to Bologna.

Toro had an early reprieve when Lyanco, on loan from the Granata had an early goal for the visitors disallowed due to offside. Torino then took the lead as Cristian Ansaldi's shot from outside the area deflected off Erick Pulgar and into the net.

However, Bologna were deservedly level when good play from Rodrigo Palacio allowed Andrea Poli to head home at the far post. The away side were then awarded a penalty following a VAR referral after Soualiho Meite inexplicably handled the ball in the area. Erick Pulgar stepped up and converted the penalty to make amends for his earlier own goal.

Tomas Rincon came closest to an equaliser in the second half, however his long range effort was well saved by Lukasz Skorupski. Bologna then added a third goal after a swift counter attack ended with Ricardo Orsolini finishing nonchalantly past Salvatore Sirigu.

Lyanco's eventful day against his parent club continued as he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Toro were able to capitalise almost immediately as Armando Izzo headed home Alex Berenguer's free kick to reduce the deficit.

However, Ola Aina's frustrations got the better of him in stoppage time, and the Nigerian received two yellow cards in quick succession, the second of which for dissent, as Toro slipped to their first defeat since January.

Forza Toro

Torino v Bologna Preview

Torino could move to within three points of the Champions League places with a victory against Bologna at the Stadio Grande Torino on Saturday afternoon.

Ola Aina and Iago Falque could return to the starting eleven after impressive performances as substitutes in the come back victory against Frosinone last weekend.

The Toro fans will welcome a number of familiar faces as Bologna are now coached by Sinisa Mihajlovic, who was Toro coach between 2016-2018, whilst Lyanco and Simone Edera are both currently on loan at the Rossoblu.

Bologna have seen a recent improvement since Mihajlovic took charge, winning two of his six games in charge, however they still remain in the bottom three.

Prediction
Torino 2-1 Bologna

Bologna 2-2 Torino

Torino threw away a 2-0 lead as some dreadful defending cost the Granata a victory in Bologna on Sunday afternoon.

Lorenzo De Silvestri and Iago Falque returned to the starting eleven following injury, whilst Koffi Djidji was surprisingly preferred to Emiliano Moretti in defence.

Toro took the lead after fourteen minutes when Iago Falque scored a sensational goal from twenty-five yards out, despite seemingly being off balance after pressure from Filip Helander.

Soualiho Meite had a chance to double Torino's lead, but his curling effort went narrowly over the bar. 

However, ten minutes into the second half, Torino did get a second goal when Iago Falque dispossessed Adam Nagy and set up Daniele Baselli to score. 

However, the home side reduced the deficit just five minutes later when Federico Santander reacted quickest after Mitchell Dijks' header hit the post. 

Bologna then equalised thirteen minutes from time when Salvatore Sirigu's poor clearance was intercepted by Arturo Calabresi, who then broke through some weak Toro challenges to score. 

Toro were unable to find a winner, and were made to settle for a point which considering the performance in the first hour, was very disappointing.

Forza Toro

Bologna v Torino Preview

Torino travel to Bologna on Sunday afternoon knowing that a third consecutive Serie A victory could take them into the top six.

Lorenzo De Silvestri has returned from injury so could return to the starting eleven, whilst Vittorio Parigini could start after an impressive substitute appearance against Frosinone before the international break.

Bologna started the season poorly, failing to win any of their opening four games, but back to back home victories against Roma and Udinese have increased optimism.

Prediction
Bologna 1-2 Torino

Torino 3-0 Bologna

Walter Mazzarri made a perfect start as Torino coach, as the Granata won 3-0 against Bologna on Saturday afternoon.

Mazzarri made only two changes from the team who lost to Juventus in the Coppa Italia, as Salvatore Sirigu and Joel Obi came into the team.

Toro had a great chance to take the lead early on, but in-form winger Iago Falque blazed well over the bar when through on goal. The Granata were then denied by an excellent save by Bologna keeper Antonio Mirante who tipped a M'Baye Niang effort over the bar.

Seven minutes before half time, Toro took a deserved lead as Alex Berenguer's excellent free kick was headed home by Lorenzo De Silvestri.

However, five minutes after half time Bologna were awarded a controversial penalty. Despite Simone Verdi originally being booked for diving, after a VAR review, the decision was reversed and a penalty awarded as Cristian Molinaro was adjudged to have fouled the former Toro man.

Erick Pulgar stepped up to take the penalty, but the Chilean was denied by an excellent save by Salvatore Sirigu.

Less than five minutes later, Toro doubled their lead as M'Baye Niang scored a deserved goal by skillfully dummying the defender before curling a left footed shot beyond Mirante.

Toro added a third in the closing stages to seal a convincing victory as Iago Falque scored with a low drive from just outside the area.

Torino v Bologna Preview

Walter Mazzarri will take charge of Torino for the first time when Toro face Bologna at the Stadio Grande Torino on Saturday afternoon.

Whilst Mazzarri usually favours a 3-5-2 formation, it is expected that he will not change too much having only taken charge on Thursday. Andrea Belotti is still injured, but Adem Ljajic has returned to the squad but may not be fit to start.

Bologna are currently 1 point behind Toro in 12th place, but are in poor form having lost three of their last four matches.

Prediction

Torino 2-1 Bologna

Bologna 1-1 Torino

Torino opened the 2017/18 Serie A season with an away draw against Bologna, but saw a late winner disallowed in farcical circumstances due to confusion over the new VAR system.

Salvatore Sirigu, Nicolas N'Koulou and Alex Berenguer all made debuts for Toro, whilst Afriyie Acquah was a surprise starter despite speculation regarding his future.

There was a minute's silence before the match to pay tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack in Barcelona on Thursday. This was particularly poignant for Toro fans, because one of the Italian victims, Luca Russo, was a Torino supporter.

Andrea Belotti had Torino's first chance of the match, but he headed Davide Zappacosta's fine cross wide of the target. However, just before the half hour mark, Toro fell behind when Federico Di Francesco fired a fine left footed volley into the top corner.

Toro were level just six minutes later thanks to a fine individual goal from Adem Ljajic, as the Serbian playmaker nutmegged a defender before hitting a low shot into the corner of the net - although Antonio Mirante will be disappointed not to save it.

Mirante made amends in the second half by making an excellent save to deny Ljajic's long range free kick.

With only minutes remaining, Toro thought they had a winner when Alex Berenguer converted after Andrea Belotti's assist, however the referee had already blew his whistle to check with the Video Assistant Referee whether Belotti had been offside in the build up. It turned out that Belotti was on side as the through ball came off a Bologna player, and therefore Toro had been denied a valid winning goal due to a refereeing error.

However, Toro made a promising start to the new season and will now look for their first victory of the season at home to Sassuolo next Saturday.

Forza Toro and RIP Luca

Bologna v Torino Preview

Torino will begin the 2017/18 Serie A season with a trip to Bologna, hoping to start the new campaign with a victory.

Toro have managed to keep hold of prized asset Andrea Belotti, whilst new signings Salvatore Sirigu, Nicolas N'Koulou and Alex Berenguer should all start.

However, the Granata have not kept a clean sheet since January 8th and lost this fixture last season 2-0 - albeit without the suspended Belotti.

Bologna have already been eliminated from the Coppa Italia after an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to Cittadella after former Toro winger was sent off after only five minutes.

Prediction
Bologna 1-2 Torino

Bologna 2-0 Torino

Torino are still looking for their first win of 2017 after they fell to a disappointing away defeat against Bologna on Sunday afternoon.

Toro almost went behind in the opening five minutes, but Joe Hart produced an excellent save to deny Marios Oikonomou.

At the other end, Adem Ljajic almost gave the Granata the lead but his long range free kick was tipped over the bar by Antonio Mirante.

Bologna took the lead two minutes before half time, as former Toro midfielder Blerim Dzemaili swept home from close range.

Marco Benassi almost brought Torino level in the second half, but he was unable to get a decisive touch from Iago Falque's corner.

With Toro looking for an equaliser, Sinisa Mihajlovic threw on Juan Iturbe and Josef Martinez, but they were caught on the counter attack by Dzemaili who scored his second of the game.

This was Torino's seventh defeat of the season, six of which have been away from home which clearly shows where the Granata needs to improve.

Forza Toro

Bologna v Torino Preview

Torino will look to improve their miserable away form when they travel to Bologna on Sunday afternoon.

The Granata have only won two away games all season, both of which against teams in the bottom three. However, they will have to face Bologna without the suspended Andrea Belotti who was the match winner in this fixture last season as he scored a last minute penalty in April.

Belotti is expected to be replaced in the starting eleven by Lucas Boyé with Maxi Lopez being omitted from the squad once again due to issues with his weight.

In contrast to Toro, Bologna have struggled at home in recent months, winning only one of their last six games - a 3-1 win over Palermo in November.

Prediction
Bologna 1-2 Torino

Torino 5-1 Bologna

Torino recorded a first league win of the new season after an impressive 5-1 thumping of Bologna on Sunday evening.

Siniša Mihajlović made a number of changes to the team who lost against AC Milan on the opening day, as Leandro Castan, Cesare Bovo, Daniele Baselli, Marco Benassi and Iago Falque all came into the team.

Toro suffered a set back in the early stages as Adem Ljajić was forced off injured for the second game in succession. However, moments later, the Granata took the lead when Andrea Belotti headed home Lorenzo De Silvestri's cross. 

That lead did not last long as Bologna were level four minutes later as Saphir Taider dispossessed Daniele Baselli on the half way line before running unopposed and firing his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. 

Torino regained their lead before half time as Andrea Belotti smartly rolled defender Marios Oikonomou before finishing past Antonio Mirante. Toro extended their lead when Iago Falque's cross was diverted into Josef Martinez's path, and the Venezuelan side footed the ball past Mirante.

Substitute Lucas Boyé contributed to Torino's fourth goal as he won the ball in the final third and then selflessly passed to Daniele Baselli who finished well. Andrea Belotti won a penalty for Toro when he was tripped by Erick Pulgar, although for the second game in a row, he saw his spot kick saved.

However, Belotti, who has just been named in Giampiero Ventura's first Italy squad would not be denied, and he completed his hat trick when he converted Cristian Molinaro's fine cross.

Forza Toro

Torino v Bologna Preview

Torino will look to earn their first points of the new season when they welcome Bologna to the Stadio Grande Torino on Sunday evening.

Adem Ljajić who came off injured in the opening game against AC Milan is fit again, as is Spanish winger Iago Falque who is in line for his competitive debut.

Bologna beat newly promoted Crotone in their opening league game last weekend thanks to Mattia Destro's late goal, and will be looking for revenge as Toro beat them home and away last season.

Prediction
Torino 2-1 Bologna

Forza Toro

Bologna 0-1 Torino

Andrea Belotti's stoppage time penalty was enough for Torino to claim all three points at the Stadio Renato Dell'Ara on Saturday afternoon.

Maxi Lopez was not available, so Belotti was partnered in attack by Josef Martinez, whilst Joel Obi retained his place in midfield.

It was Martinez who had Toro's first chance of the game, but his low shot from outside the area was well saved by Antonio Mirante. 

Chances were few and far between in the Bologna sun, but mid-way through the second half, former Juve man Emanuele Giaccherini saw his shot hit the base of the post and roll clear of danger. 

In injury time, Josef Martinez came close to scoring his long-awaited first goal of the season, but the Venezuelan's shot went wide of the far post. 

However, the drama was still to come as in the third minute of injury time, Andrea Belotti was tripped in the area by Luca Rossettini and the referee awarded a penalty.

Belotti stepped up to take the penalty himself, and he sent Mirante the wrong way to give Toro all three points.

Forza Toro

Bologna v Torino Preview

Torino will look to win three successive league games for the first time this season when they face Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Saturday evening. 

Andrea Belotti is expected to be rested so Josef Martinez could get a rare start, whilst Afriyie Acquah's injury could allow Marco Benassi and Daniele Baselli to both start. 

Bologna ended their run of three successive defeats with a surprise draw against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, but the Rossoblu have not won in seven games.

Prediction

Bologna 1-1 Torino

Torino 2-0 Bologna

Torino won for the second game in succession as they beat an in form Bologna team on Saturday evening.

Giampiero Ventura kept faith with the same team who beat Atalanta last weekend, so it was Andrea Belotti and Fabio Quagliarella upfront.

Daniele Baselli had the first chance of the game, but his long range effort was well save by Antonio Mirante. Toro dominated the first half, and the former Parma keeper also had to turn an effort from Giuseppe Vives around the post.

Fabio Quagliarella almost ended his goal drought for the Granata, but his cushioned header hit the bar. With fifteen minutes remaining, Toro finally got their deserved goal and it was a Andrea Belotti who scored his first goal for his new club.

The former Palermo man received the ball on the edge of the area before running past the defender and finishing past Antonio Mirante.

In injury time, Toro doubled their lead after a mistake by the Bologna defence allowed Giuseppe Vives to run through on goal, and the veteran midfielder finished from a difficult angle to secure all three points.

Forza Toro

Bologna 1-2 Torino

Torino continued their fine start to the season as they won in Bologna for the first time in 33 years thanks once again to goals from Danilo D'Ambrosio and Alessio Cerci.

The Granata made the one enforced change as Ciro Immobile was unwell, so he was replaced in the starting eleven by Riccardo Meggiorini. Toro made an ideal start and were ahead within two minutes, as home goalkeeper Gianluca Curci was only able to punch Matteo Darmian's cross into the path of Danilo D'Ambrosio who headed into an empty net.

Alessio Cerci almost doubled Toro's lead from long range, but he was denied by Curci who made amends for his earlier error by turning his shot round the post.

On the half hour mark, Bologna equalised thanks to a former Torino player, but it was not the one you may have expected - Rolando Bianchi, who most of the pre-match attention was focused upon. Once again Toro failed to deal with a set piece, and Cesare Natali's initial header was saved by Daniele Padelli, but the rebound fell to the big defender who was literally able to walk the ball over the line.

Bologna almost took the lead moments later, when defender György Garics's long range shot rebounded off the crossbar. Just before the break, Torino also hit the woodwork as Alessio Cerci's free kick from 40 yards out also hit the crossbar.

However, in the aftermath of that incident Omar El Kaddouri was fouled by Francesco Della Rocca in the away and Toro were awarded a penalty. Cerci stepped up to take the penalty himself, and although Curci got a hand to hit, the ball still found the back of the net.

A strange incident occurred at the beginning of the second half, as it transpired that Bologna's goalscorer Cesare Natali was sent off for dissent towards the referee at the interval. Despite having an extra man advantage, Toro failed to extend their lead in the second half - although Omar El Kaddouri twice came close to scoring his first goal for the club.

Torino held on to record their second victory of the season, ahead of a big week for the club that will culminate in the Turin derby next Sunday.