Torino Goal of the Season 2010/11

As an attempt to forget about the disappointment of Torino's failure to reach the playoffs, watch the video below and then vote for you favourite Torino goal from this season.

Albinoleffe 1-2 Torino

Torino's hopes of gaining a place in the playoffs are now in their own hands, after a hard fought victory at Albinoleffe, that gave Franco Lerda's team a third consecutive victory, and saw them move into fifth position.

Torino were dealt a blow before kick off, as captain and top scorer Rolando Bianchi was absent from the squad due to a slight muscle strain, whilst the injury is not thought to be a serious one, he was not risked as a precautionary measure. Bianchi's absence would have given Albinoleffe a boost, and it was the hosts that started the brightest, and Brazilian keeper Rubinho, who has been in sparkling form as of late was forced to make a great save from Pierre Giorgio Regonesi's long range free kick with just three minutes gone.

Torino's first opportunity fell to Mirco Antenucci, fresh from scoring the winner in Toro's last outing at home to Grosseto, but saw his effort saved by Luca Tomasig. Torino opened the scoring soon afterwards, via Biagio Pagano's fantastic looping header that narrowly beat the dive of Tomasig in the Albinoleffe goal. Albinoleffe equalised soon after half time, and despite his recent form, Rubinho will probably have to take the blame for the goal as he failed to deal with a corner, that allowed Luigi Sala to head into an unguarded net.

With the clock ticking down, it looked as though Torino would have to make do with a point, but with just three minutes left they got their winning goal, and for the second game in a row, it was Mirco Antenucci who scored it. The move started with an exquisite pass by Daniele De Vezze with the outside of his right foot that found Pagano on the right wing, the former Livorno winger cut back a cross for the on running Antenucci who placed it into the far corner.

At the time, the decision to rehire Franco Lerda after sacking him just eleven days previously seemed to be a strange one, but now, after three consecutive victories it seems it may have been an inspired decision, as Torino can start to dream of a return to Serie A, although there is still a long way to go before that is a reality.

Torino 3-1 Pescara

Torino ended their poor run of form with a 3-1 home victory over Pescara, but had to come from behind to do so.

Before the game started the biggest talking point centred on coach Franco Lerda's decision to leave captain and top goalscorer Rolando Bianchi on the bench, and when Souleymane Diamoutene headed home after 12 minutes, Torino fans feared the worst. However, the home side fought back gallantly, and equalised through Daniele De Vezze's header from Biagio Pagano's fine cross. Torino took the lead minutes into the second half, after Angelo Ogbonna's brilliant long pass found Mirco Antenucci who stabbed home, to score his first goal for the club. Rolando Bianchi came off the bench midway through the second half, and almost predictably, it was he who scored the third goal. The ex Manchester City striker had a simple tap in after a great cross from Dejan Lazarevic, who was a constant threat throughout the whole game.

Bianchi celebrated passionately by the Torino bench, perhaps illustrating that he was not happy with the coach's decision to start him on the bench, though ultimately that decision was vindicated. Torino had to survive a late onslaught from Pescara, when Gianluca Nicco hit the crossbar, and the away team were awarded a penalty following Claudio Rivalta's handball, but Rubinho produced a fine save from Marco Sansovini's penalty, to keep the score at 3-1.

This victory has moved Torino up to 7th position, and are only kept out of the playoff positions by goal difference, and the impressive nature of the performance, combined with the favourable result, should ensure Franco Lerda's position at the club is secure for the time being. It will be interesting to see whether Lerda will continue to keep Bianchi on the substitutes bench in future weeks, or whether he can find a way to fit both Antenucci and Bianchi in the same starting eleven.

Varese 3-0 Torino

Torino's hopes of achieving automatic promotion were dealt a huge blow, as they succumbed to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to newly promoted Varese. Whilst this result still keeps Toro in the top six, and therefore still in the playoff positions, they now find themselves ten points away from Novara, Siena and Atalanta who are tied at the top of the table with 43 points. However on this evidence Torino will need to improve drastically in order to keep their hopes of promotion alive, which may lead to more signings in this January transfer window.

Torino held their own in the first 45 minutes, with Alessandro Sgrigna forcing the Varese goalkeeper into a good save, however in injury time of the first period, Varese took the lead. After hesitant defending by the away side, Alessandro Frara unleashed a fierce left footed shot into the net. Just three minutes after the restart, and once again Torino conceded from a set piece, with Claiton dos Santos making it 2-0. Alessandro Budel came off the bench as Toro endeavoured to find a way back into the match, however this left spaces in the defence, allowing substitute Fabio Concas to complete the scoring. Things got worse for Torino as midfielder Daniele De Vezze was sent off for two yellow cards late on.