Torino failed to win away from home once again as they could only manage a draw against Cittadella on Saturday afternoon.
New signing Riccardo Meggiorini started the game on the bench alongside captain Rolando Bianchi, as the in-form Mirco Antenucci and Alessandro Sgrigna started up front.
It was the home side who had a dream start after just five minutes as poor Torino defending from a corner enabled Daniele Gasparetto to stab home. However, just ten minutes later the Granata equalised with their first chance of the game. The goal came after great link up play by Alessandro Sgrigna who played in strike partner Mirco Antenucci, who finished calmly into the bottom corner.
Toro nearly took the lead after fantastic wing play by Alen Stevanovic, who first made Luca Martinelli fall on his backside, before delivering a cross that was well intercepted by home captain Francesco Scardina.
Torino had the better of the second half, and Alessandro Sgrigna and Juan Surraco both should have done better when well placed in the final third. With twenty minutes left, Toro were forced to change their goalkeeper as Ferdinando Coppola was stretchered off after a collision with home striker Robert Maah.
Riccardo Meggiorini came off the bench to make his debut, and the striker came so close to becoming an instant hero, but his left footed "toe-poke" went narrowly wide. Toro then had a fantastic chance to score the winner when Manuel Iori's fantastic pass found the in-form Mirco Antenucci, (who had scored Torino's last three goals) but his side footed shot was saved by the legs of Alex Cordaz from just seven yards out.
In injury time, the Granata still managed to create one last chance, but substitute Rolando Bianchi was unable to connect with Antenucci's cross from the left. This draw, combined with victories for Sassuolo, Hellas Verona and Pescara means that the race for promotion is tighter than ever, and that Sassuolo have now overtaken Toro at the top of the Serie B table, albeit on goal difference.
Showing posts with label Cittadella. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cittadella. Show all posts
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Friday, 20 January 2012
Cittadella V Torino Preview
Toro started the season in record-breaking form away from home, as they won their first five games away from the Olimpico, but recently they have struggled on the road, and will be keen to rectify that problem as quickly as possible.
New signing Riccardo Meggiorini should make his debut against his former team, whilst Manuel Iori, who made over 100 appearances for Cittadella is also available for selection after suspension. Rolando Bianchi should start despite injuring his hand in the week, and should have regained some confidence after scoring a hat-trick against Rivoli in a friendly on Wednesday.
Toro's opponents Cittadella have had an average season so far and are currently in 11th position, but only three points outside the playoff positions. Cittadella's home form is particularly impressive, as they have won six of their eleven games at home, including the last two. Striker Robert Maah, who was particularly impressive in the reverse fixture at the Olimpico in August is their top scorer this season with seven goals.
Forza Torino
Prediction
Cittadella 1-1 Torino
(Feel free to add your own predictions in the comments below)
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Meggiorini makes Toro move
Torino have made their first acquisition of the January transfer window by completing the signing of Genoa striker Riccardo Meggiorini.
Meggiorini has signed on a co-ownership deal, and could make his debut for Torino against his former side Cittadella on Saturday. One worrying statistic for Toro fans is the fact that in the last three years, Meggiorini has only scored seven goals in 73 appearances for three different clubs.
That being said, Meggiorini did score earlier this season against Inter whilst on loan at Novara, and the last time the striker played in Serie B, in the 2008-09 season, he scored an impressive eighteen goals for Cittadella.
Meggiorini's arrival is a timely one, as Captain Rolando Bianchi injured his hand in training on Monday, and is rated doubtful for Saturday's match.
Here is a clip of Riccardo Meggiorini in action for Giampiero Ventura's Bari side in the 2009-10 season, including a goal against Juventus.
Meggiorini has signed on a co-ownership deal, and could make his debut for Torino against his former side Cittadella on Saturday. One worrying statistic for Toro fans is the fact that in the last three years, Meggiorini has only scored seven goals in 73 appearances for three different clubs.
That being said, Meggiorini did score earlier this season against Inter whilst on loan at Novara, and the last time the striker played in Serie B, in the 2008-09 season, he scored an impressive eighteen goals for Cittadella.
Meggiorini's arrival is a timely one, as Captain Rolando Bianchi injured his hand in training on Monday, and is rated doubtful for Saturday's match.
Here is a clip of Riccardo Meggiorini in action for Giampiero Ventura's Bari side in the 2009-10 season, including a goal against Juventus.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Torino 1-1 Cittadella
Torino could only hold on to their lead for three minutes, as Cittadella fought back to gain to deserved point at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night.
There was a lot of optimism surrounding Torino, after their impressive win at Ascoli at the weekend, as well as the fact they were able to retain key players Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi in the transfer window.
However, Torino did not start the game well, and they looked a shadow of the team that were victorious on Saturday. Perhaps one of the reasons for their slow start was because there were six changes to the side that started in Ascoli, with D'Ambrosio, Di Cesare, Zavagno, Vives, Oduamadi and Antenucci all gaining starts.
Another reason for their poor start could be that Torino underestimated Cittadella, and assumed that this would be an academic home victory, they were wrong, as for much of the game, it was Cittadella who looked like the team challenging for promotion.
Torino had the opening chance of the match, when Nnamdi Oduamadi, broke free on the left wing, but his right footed shot hit the side netting. Cittadella should of taken the lead minutes later through striker Robert Maah, but his free header went wide of the target. Maah turned provider soon afterwards, as Cittadella broke away on a quick counter attack, and his pass found Thomas Job, but the midfielder slipped and his tame shot went harmlessly wide.
It was then Torino's turn to miss an easy chance, as Rolando Bianchi failed to make contact with Danilo D'Ambrosio's cross from six yards, when it had seemed easier to score.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, as both sides were guilty of inept finishing. Once again Bianchi had a great chance to open the scoring, but after being set up by strike partner Mirco Antenucci, the captain dragged his shot wide of the post. Next up it was Cittadella's captain, Tommaso Bellazzini who entered the 'How not to finish a chance when ideally placed' competition, as he, like so many before him, dragged his shot wide.
Finally, in the 81st minute, the deadlock was finally broken as Torino took the lead in bizarre fashion. After a long goal kick from Toro keeper Ferdinando Coppola, substitute Alessandro Sgrigna forced his way into the area, and his shot hit the arm of opposition keeper Alex Cordaz and slowly rolled into the net.
However, just three minutes later, Cittadella were level, and much like the opening goal of the match, this goal could accurately be described as a fluke. It was substitute Nunzio Di Roberto who scored the goal, after converting Robert Maah's cross, but it looked as though the ball just hit Di Roberto's standing foot, before agonizingly looping into the corner of the net.
The game finished 1-1, and after taking the lead, Torino will be disappointed that they did not hold on to all three points, but overall it was certainly a fair result. The match will also have given Toro coach Giampiero Ventura a much clearer indication of what his strongest eleven is, and in Sunday's home match against Varese, we should see what Ventura believe his strongest team to be, now that the majority of the squad have been given game time.
Forza Torino
There was a lot of optimism surrounding Torino, after their impressive win at Ascoli at the weekend, as well as the fact they were able to retain key players Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi in the transfer window.
However, Torino did not start the game well, and they looked a shadow of the team that were victorious on Saturday. Perhaps one of the reasons for their slow start was because there were six changes to the side that started in Ascoli, with D'Ambrosio, Di Cesare, Zavagno, Vives, Oduamadi and Antenucci all gaining starts.
Another reason for their poor start could be that Torino underestimated Cittadella, and assumed that this would be an academic home victory, they were wrong, as for much of the game, it was Cittadella who looked like the team challenging for promotion.
Torino had the opening chance of the match, when Nnamdi Oduamadi, broke free on the left wing, but his right footed shot hit the side netting. Cittadella should of taken the lead minutes later through striker Robert Maah, but his free header went wide of the target. Maah turned provider soon afterwards, as Cittadella broke away on a quick counter attack, and his pass found Thomas Job, but the midfielder slipped and his tame shot went harmlessly wide.
It was then Torino's turn to miss an easy chance, as Rolando Bianchi failed to make contact with Danilo D'Ambrosio's cross from six yards, when it had seemed easier to score.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, as both sides were guilty of inept finishing. Once again Bianchi had a great chance to open the scoring, but after being set up by strike partner Mirco Antenucci, the captain dragged his shot wide of the post. Next up it was Cittadella's captain, Tommaso Bellazzini who entered the 'How not to finish a chance when ideally placed' competition, as he, like so many before him, dragged his shot wide.
Finally, in the 81st minute, the deadlock was finally broken as Torino took the lead in bizarre fashion. After a long goal kick from Toro keeper Ferdinando Coppola, substitute Alessandro Sgrigna forced his way into the area, and his shot hit the arm of opposition keeper Alex Cordaz and slowly rolled into the net.
However, just three minutes later, Cittadella were level, and much like the opening goal of the match, this goal could accurately be described as a fluke. It was substitute Nunzio Di Roberto who scored the goal, after converting Robert Maah's cross, but it looked as though the ball just hit Di Roberto's standing foot, before agonizingly looping into the corner of the net.
The game finished 1-1, and after taking the lead, Torino will be disappointed that they did not hold on to all three points, but overall it was certainly a fair result. The match will also have given Toro coach Giampiero Ventura a much clearer indication of what his strongest eleven is, and in Sunday's home match against Varese, we should see what Ventura believe his strongest team to be, now that the majority of the squad have been given game time.
Forza Torino
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Torino V Cittadella Preview
Torino will play their first home game of the season when they face Cittadella tonight, and will look to continue their fine start to the season with another victory.
There were a number of positives in Saturday's game against Ascoli, where Torino came from behind to win, and that performance has raised expectations that this could finally be the season that Toro mount a serious automatic promotion challenge.
Unless something drastic happens in the closing moments of the transfer window, Rolando Bianchi and Angelo Ogbonna should remain at the club, and therefore both players will probably be involved in tonight's match. Winger Simone Verdi, who only started on Saturday because of an injury to Alen Stevanovic, impressed many with his performance, and is almost certain to keep his place in the side.
Cittadella also won their opening game of the season - a 2-1 victory against AlbinoLeffe, and whilst they have been weakened by the sale of last season's top scorer Federico Piovaccari, they should not be underestimated.
Forza Torino
There were a number of positives in Saturday's game against Ascoli, where Torino came from behind to win, and that performance has raised expectations that this could finally be the season that Toro mount a serious automatic promotion challenge.
Unless something drastic happens in the closing moments of the transfer window, Rolando Bianchi and Angelo Ogbonna should remain at the club, and therefore both players will probably be involved in tonight's match. Winger Simone Verdi, who only started on Saturday because of an injury to Alen Stevanovic, impressed many with his performance, and is almost certain to keep his place in the side.
Cittadella also won their opening game of the season - a 2-1 victory against AlbinoLeffe, and whilst they have been weakened by the sale of last season's top scorer Federico Piovaccari, they should not be underestimated.
Forza Torino
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Torino 1-1 Cittadella
Torino still find themselves without a win in 2011, after a draw against relegation threatened Cittadella. The Granata had an excellent start to the game with Rolando Bianchi once again stressing how important he is to the team, giving them the lead after 26 minutes, albeit from just one yard out after Andrea Gasbarroni's pass.
However, despite dominating the first half, Torino were unable to score a second goal, and were made to pay when substitute Danilo D'Ambrosio somehow diverted a goal bound effort past Davide Bassi in goal.
Torino's failure to hold on to the three points means that they stay outside of the playoff zone, on goal difference, level on points with both Livorno and Reggina.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Torino V Cittadella Preview
After the disappointing defeat away to Varese, Torino must pick themselves up for their first home game of 2011, against lowly Cittadella. Although it is perhaps to soon to describe this game as 'must win', three points would be extremely welcome for Torino, who find themselves out of the playoff positions, after Reggina's draw on Monday.
The Torino hierarchy have perhaps sensed how important a game this is, and have introduced an initiative that allows women to purchase a ticket for just two euros, and under 16's can buy a ticket for just one euro. With teams throughout Italy struggling to fill their stadiums, Torino should certainly be praised for these reduced ticket prices, and it will hopefully increase the atmosphere at the stadium, and encourage the team to a much needed victory.
Cittadella have not enjoyed the same success this campaign as they did last season, and currently occupy 16th position, and find themselves in a relegation battle, meaning they will be just as desperate for the points.
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