Torino V Modena Preview

After three seasons in Italy's second tier, Torino can confirm promotion to Serie A if they beat Modena on Sunday afternoon.

Toro will be without the injured Rolando Bianchi, so Mirco Antenucci and Riccardo Meggiorini are expected to start upfront. Alen Stevanovic and Cristian Pasquato have both returned to the squad, and the latter will be looking to start against his former side.

Modena are firmly ensconced in mid-table, and have little to play for in the two remaining games of the season - apart from their own personal pride. However, they were victorious in the reverse fixture back in December, so they are definitely capable of ruining Torino's promotion party.

Prediction
Torino 2-0 Modena

Pescara 2-0 Torino

Torino's hopes of achieving automatic promotion were dented after they were beaten 2-0 by an in-form Pescara on Saturday evening.

Torino made five changes from the team that were victorious against Padova, with Matteo Darmian, Valerio Di Cesare, Cristian Pasquato, Mirco Antenucci and Alessandro Sgrigna coming into the team.

However, in front of a sell out crowd at the Stadio Adriatico, Torino made the worst start possible and were behind after just ten minutes. Marco Verratti's accurate long pass found Lorenzo Insigne who was narrowly onside, and he rounded Francesco Benussi to give Pescara the lead.

Torino responded well and came close to an equaliser via Cristian Pasquato's free kick, but it was turned round the post by Riccardo Ragni. The on loan winger, making his first start for the club, came close once again moments later when he intercepted the ball in the final third, but his speculative volley went over the bar.

The home side were playing the type of football that is synonymous with their coach Zdeněk Zeman, and Ciro Immobile, Emmanuel Cascione and Matti Nielsen all came close to adding a second.

On the stroke of half time, just when it looked as though Torino would go in at the break just the one goal behind, Pescara did score their second goal. Simone Romagnoli's cross from the right was headed in by Ciro Immobile - his 27th goal of an incredible season.

Torino made one change at half time as Juan Surraco replaced Alen Stevanovic, but it was the home side who looked more likely to score the next goal, and Lorenzo Insigne should have doubled his individual tally after a mistake by Manuel Iori.

With ten minutes remaining, Torino had their best chance of the match through Alessandro Sgrigna, but his shot was well saved by Ragni, and although the ball then bounced off Marco Capuano, it hit the post and not the back of the net, an incident which summed up Torino's evening.

This defeat, against probably the best team in the division is certainly disappointing, but Torino will know that promotion is still in their own hands. If Torino can get seven points from their remaining three games, that will be enough to seal a return to Serie A, perhaps even as champions as current leaders Pescara have a difficult run in.

Forza Torino

Bari V Torino Preview

Torino will make the long journey south to Bari on Saturday afternoon to face Giampiero Ventura's former side, as they look to cement their position at the top of the Serie B table.

Toro have not completed a match for three weeks after the home match against Reggina was abandoned at half time due to torrential rain, whilst last week's fixture against Sassuolo was postponed after the tragic death of Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini.

After playing a 4-3-3 formation against Reggina, Toro may revert back to Ventura's favoured 4-2-4 formation against Bari, and Cristian Pasquato may be included in the starting eleven for the first time since arriving in January.

Bari have endured a difficult season following their relegation from Serie A, and their campaign has also been disrupted by their rumoured involvement in the Calcio Scomesse match fixing scandal that has rocked Italian football.

On the field, Bari are currently in ensconced in mid-table with little hope of reaching the playoffs. Interestingly, the club has actually fared much better away from home this season - although there was little evidence of this in their last outing, a 4-1 defeat at Hellas Verona.

Prediction

Bari 1-2 Torino

Empoli 1-0 Torino

Torino's hopes of gaining automatic promotion suffered another set back on Saturday afternoon as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against struggling Empoli.

Valerio Di Cesare and Manuel Iori came back into the starting eleven, and in a surprise move, Riccardo Meggiorini was preferred to Rolando Bianchi upfront.

The home side had the first half chance of the match when Massimo Maccarone's scuffed shot nearly found the bottom corner but was cleared away from goal by Alessandro Parisi.

Toro should have taken the lead soon afterwards as Mirco Antenucci went on a fantastic run down the left wing, but his finish let him down and his shot went wide of the post. And the away side were made to pay for that miss as Empoli took the lead on 24 minutes when former Middlesbrough striker Maccarone found the bottom corner with a fierce low strike from distance.

Stefano Guberti should have scored an instant equaliser for Torino, but his curling shot from just outside of the area once again went wide. Riccardo Meggiorini also came close to scoring just his second goal in a Toro shirt, but his header was well tipped over the bar by Empoli keeper Renato Dossena.

Empoli nearly went in at the break two goals ahead when Torino failed to deal with a free kick, but Francesco Benussi produced a fine save to deny Antonio Buscè.

After bringing on Alen Stevanovic at Half Time, Giampiero Ventura also brought on Cristian Pasquato and Rolando Bianchi in order to find a breakthrough, but Toro were only creating half chances, with Antenucci probably coming the closest with a long range shot.

Toro nearly got their equaliser in bizarre circumstances when Cristian Pasquato's tame shot from 25 yards was dropped by Dossena, but luckily for him, the ball went out for a corner and not into the net. The home keeper made amends for that mistake when he made good saves from both Rolando Bianchi and Pasquato in the closing stages, and that was enough for the Tuscan side to gain a vital victory.

Whilst Torino's form continues to be a worry (4 points from a possible 12), they still find themselves top of the table, as once again rivals Pescara and Sassuolo failed to capitalise. With two home games on the horizon, including one against Sassuolo, Toro will know that a return to their early season form is a must if they are to avoid the agonising pain of the playoffs.

Forza Torino

Torino 6-0 Gubbio

After disappointing results against Hellas Verona and Juve Stabia, Torino bounced back in scintillating fashion with a 6-0 thrashing of lowly Gubbio.

Stefano Guberti was given his first start since being injured in September, whilst Rolando Bianchi was preferred to Alessandro Sgrigna upfront.

It was Bianchi who had Torino's first chance of the match, after a long ball from the back but him through on goal, but his shot went just wide of the post. Stefano Guberti also came close to scoring a spectacular goal on his return, but his curling shot was tipped over the bar by Antonio Donnarumma.

The away side came close to taking the lead against the run of play, but Mattia Graffiedi's volley was easily saved by Francesco Benussi. And five minutes before Half Time, it was Toro who finally got the breakthrough when Juan Surraco's through ball found Bianchi who powered through the defence, and although his initial shot hit the post, he reacted quickest to put the ball into an empty net.

Less than a minute into the second half, Torino doubled their lead as Stefano Guberti showed the home fans what they had been missing when his sublime cross was turned into the net by Mirco Antenucci. Guberti was replaced by Alessandro Sgrigna soon after that assist, and his return is certainly a massive boost for Torino's promotion challenge.

And with 25 minutes remaining, Torino added a third goal as Juan Surraco got his first goal for the club with a low shot from the edge of the area. The fourth goal arrived just three minutes later, and Bianchi got his second goal of the match with a stunning half volley from Sgrigna's pass.

With a quarter of an hour left, Cristian Pasquato came off the bench to make his long-awaited Toro debut after arriving on loan from rivals Juventus, and his impact was immediate. Alessando Sgrigna's shot from inside the area was parried by Donnarumma, but Pasquato was on hand to score Torino's fifth goal of the afternoon.

There was still time for another goal, as with ten minutes remaining Pasquato turned provided as his deft header put Antenucci through on goal, and he finished well to get his second goal of the match.

After receiving much criticism for their performances against Hellas and Juve Stabia, this performance emphasised that reports of Torino's demise had been greatly exaggerated and that they were still promotion contenders. With both Pescara and Hellas Verona suffering defeats, this victory puts Torino four points clear at the top of the table.

Forza Torino

Brescia V Torino Preview

 Torino will travel to Brescia on Sunday afternoon looking for their fourth consecutive victory, after beating Vicenza, Nocerina and Sampdoria in recent weeks.

This match was originally scheduled to be played at the start of the month, but was postponed due to poor weather. Although Toro have been impressive of late, some fans may be concerned that they have not won away from home since beating Reggina in November, and will be looking to rectify that statistic.

There are injury doubts regarding winger Alen Stevanovic who limped off against Sampdoria, and that could mean that Cristian Pasquato is included in the eighteen for the first time. Riccardo Meggiorini could also come into the team following his winning goal against Sampdoria at the expense of Rolando Bianchi, who despite impressive performances, can not end his goal drought.

Brescia have recovered after a poor start to the season and are currently in eighth place and are looking towards gaining a playoff position. They are unbeaten in their last eight matches, winning six of them -although they have not managed to score in their last two home games.

Prediction
Brescia 1-1 Torino

Torino V Sampdoria Preview

Torino have the opportunity to go two points clear at the top of the Serie B table if they can beat Sampdoria on Monday night.

With promotion rivals Pescara and Sassuolo only being able to draw this weekend, Toro will be looking to take advantage, but will be aware that Sampdoria should not be underestimated. Despite being many peoples favourites for promotion this season, i Blucerchiati have struggled to adapt since their relegation and currently sit in tenth place, eight points from the playoffs.

Incredibly, Sampdoria have actually lost less matches than both Hellas Verona (2nd) and Pescara (4th) but have drawn far too many games, and their tally of 13 is the most in the division. One of their defeats came at the hands of Torino at the Luigi Ferraris back in September, as goals from Sergiu Suciu and Rolando Bianchi gave the Granata a 2-1 victory. However, this season Sampdoria have actually fared better away from home, as five of their eight victories have come on the road, including an impressive victory at Padova in January.

Giampiero Ventura, a former Sampdoria player and manager, has a number of options ahead of the match, and may chose to revert to the 4-3-3 formation that has previously been successful. Cristian Pasquato could make his debut, whilst Rolando Bianchi will be looking to end his goal drought, that by the time of kick off will have lasted 128 days.

Forza Torino

Prediction
Torino 1-1 Sampdoria

Torino V Nocerina Preview

After last weekend's match against Brescia was suspended due to snow, Torino are back in action on Saturday afternoon against bottom of the league Nocerina.

Salvatore Masiello and Cristian Pasquato could make their first appearances for Torino, whilst captain Rolando Bianchi is expected to start, after starting the last couple of games on the bench.

As illustrated by their league position, Nocerina have struggled since being promoted last season and have not won since October when they beat Sampdoria 4-2. However, in their last match they recorded a creditable 1-1 draw against Bari, and if they are to have any chance of surviving the drop, their results will have to improve quickly.

Prediction
Torino 3-1 Nocerina

Torino V Vicenza Preview

Torino will attempt to return to the top of the Serie B table tonight when they face mid-table Vicenza at home on Tuesday evening.

After successive draws against Cittadella and Varese, Torino have fallen to third place and will be eager to get back to winning ways, especially as the two teams above them - Sassuolo and Pescara face difficult away games.

New loan signing Cristian Pasquato is in the squad for the game, but as he only joined the club on Sunday, he is not expected to play any part in the match. Danilo D'Ambrosio is expected to replace Matteo Darmian at right back, whilst Migjen Basha could return to the starting eleven in midfield.

As it is the final day of the January transfer window, there has been specualation regarding two of Torino's strikers, Rolando Bianchi and Giulio Ebagua. Whilst neither player has been in scintillating form this season, it would be a blow if either player left the club, with Bianchi being linked with a move to Catania, and Ebagua being targeted by Brescia.

Vicenza are currently ensconced in mid-table in 14th position, but come into the game in poor form without a victory in their last five matches, although that run does include three draws. Former Torino striker Elvis Abbruscato is the marquee name in the Vicenza squad, and he has impressed this season scoring 13 times.

Prediction
Torino 2-0 Vicenza

Pasquato signs on loan

Torino have made their third signing of the January transfer window by completing the signing of winger Cristian Pasquato on loan from Juventus.

This move is certainly a controversial one with many Torino fans unhappy that the club has had to resort to borrowing a player from local rivals Juventus. Earlier this season, Pasquato was on loan to Serie A side Lecce but that move was cut short after he failed to maintain a regular place in the side.

In the 2010/11 season whilst on loan at Modena, Pasquato scored nine goals including a number of spectacular free kicks, and his arrival may enable Toro to be more productive with their set pieces. Whilst it is obviously not ideal that Toro have had to loan a player from Juventus, if he helps Toro to gain promotion then the end will justify the means.

It will certainly be interesting to see what Pasquato says about the move in today's press conference, as although he will be looking to endear himself to the Torino fans, he will also be aware that he will almost certainly be back at Juventus in the summer.

Forza Torino