Torino 3-1 Nocerina

Torino moved back up to the automatic promotion places in the Serie B table after a 3-1 victory against bottom side Nocerina.

Kamil Glik and Danilo D'Ambrosio were given starts in the back four, whilst Alen Stevanovic, Migjen Basha and Rolando Bianchi regained their places in the starting eleven as Toro lined up in a 4-4-2 formation.

Nocerina, who are desperately trying to avoid relegation had an early opportunity to take a shock lead after Francesco Benussi carelessly gave the ball away, but Luigi Castaldo's attempt to lob the ball over the keeper from 40 yards failed as the ball went over the bar.

And with only eight minutes on the clock, the away side were made to pay for that miss as Torino took the lead thanks to Danilo D'Ambrosio's glancing header from Alessandro Parisi's corner. That goal was the first time that Torino have scored in the opening fifteen minutes of a game this season, and it was D'Ambrosio's second goal of the season, as he also scored a headed winning goal against Reggina in November.

Rolando Bianchi, who still hasn't scored since mid-October had a great chance to extend Torino's lead as he was put through by Mirco Antenucci, but the striker's heavy touch meant that it was an easy take for the Nocerina keeper. However, on the half hour mark, Toro did get their second goal as Giuseppe Vives received the ball on the edge of the area, and his low shot from eighteen yards out found the bottom corner of the net.

Two minutes into the second half, and Toro had their third goal as Mirco Antenucci's delightful through ball put Alen Stevanovic through on goal, and the winger finished it well. However, five minutes later, Nocerina showed that the game was far from over as Luigi Castaldo headed home Lorenzo Laverone's cross to give the away side a glimmer of hope. On reflection, the goal was easily avoidable and probably has to go down as a mistake by new keeper Benussi, who came off his line to try and claim the cross, but he failed to get there in time.

Torino could have made the margin of victory more convincing in the last half an hour as Giuseppe Vives had two great chances to add to his goal, but that would have been harsh on Nocerina who kept trying until the final whistle. This result temporarily put Torino top of the table (until Sassuolo's victory this morning) but it does keep them in the automatic promotion places ahead of the big game against Sampdoria next Monday night.

Forza Toro

Varese 0-0 Torino

Torino could only manage a goalless draw against Varese in difficult conditions at the Stadio Franco Ossola, a result that moved Toro down to third place in the table.

Francesco Benussi made his first appearance for the away side, whilst fellow January signing Riccardo Meggiorini made his first start, as once again Rolando Bianchi started on the bench.

Torino made a bright start and should of had a penalty in the opening stages when Meggiorini was upended by home goalkeeper Walter Bressan in the area. However, referee Angelo Cervellera  waved away the appeals and Toro's long wait for a penalty kick continues.

In form striker Mirco Antenucci came close to scoring for the third successive game, but after jinking past two defenders, his shot went narrowly wide of the post. Toro's best chance of the first half occurred when Juan Surraco found himself in space on the right wing and dribbled into the area before cutting the ball back to Meggiorini who blazed over the bar. In fairness to the new signing, the ball did seem to bobble on the poor pitch before it reached the striker, but he still should have hit the target.

The home side had to wait until the second half for their first real chance of the match, as substitute Gianpietro Zecchin's dipping volley only just went over the bar from 30 yards.  Toro coach Giampiero Ventura was dismissed from the touchline after complaining about a foul on Meggiorini, who was subbed for captain Rolando Bianchi with twenty minutes remaining.

Varese nearly caught Torino on the counter attack after Guiseppe Vives gave the ball away, but debutant Francesco Benussi showed good positioning to rush out of his goal and clear the danger. By the end of the game, the weather conditions had got much worse, as it became difficult to even see the ball, let alone create any chances and the game ended goalless.

After drawing their last two games away from home on difficult surfaces, Toro will be relieved to return to the Olimpico on Tuesday night against Vicenza, knowing that a victory is essential in order to keep up Sassuolo and Pescara at the top of the table.

Forza Torino

Varese V Torino Preview

Torino will look to regain their place at the top of the Serie B standings when they play Varese on Saturday afternoon. Toro will look to fare better than they did last season, as they return to the scene of one of their most embarrassing defeats of the 2010/11 campaign - a 3-0 defeat last January.

New signing Francesco Benussi should make his debut for Torino in goal, whilst Rolando Bianchi and Riccardo Meggiorini will be looking to replace Alessandro Sgrigna in attack, as he misses out with the flu. Former Varese striker Giulio Ebagua, who has been linked with a move away from the club,  is in included in the squad after missing the last two games.

Varese had a poor start to the season that ultimately cost Benito Carbone his job, but new coach Rolando Maran has succeeded in changing their fortunes around, and they currently occupy the last playoff position. Last season, much of Varese's success was built on their fantastic home form (they were unbeaten at home) but this season, they have already lost four times at the Stadio Franco Ossola.

Prediction
Varese 1-3 Torino

Benussi joins Toro

Torino have acted to quickly to replace injured goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola by signing Francesco Benussi on loan from Palermo.

Coppola was stretchered off in the 68th minute of Saturday's match against Cittadella after a collision with defender Valerio Di Cesare and Cittadella striker Robert Maah. It has since been revealed that Coppola has torn the cruciate ligament in his left knee and will be out for the rest of the season.

Therefore, after assessing the potential candidates, Torino have decided to sign former Lecce goalkeeper Francesco Benussi on loan from Palermo until the end of the season. Benussi has made seven appearances for the Rosanero this season, but recently lost his place to Emiliano Viviano after he joined the club from Inter.

Coppola has enjoyed mixed fortunes since joining Torino in the summer, as although he has been guilty of making a number of mistakes (especially against Gubbio) the experienced goalkeeper only conceded 13 goals in 22 appearances. Lets hope that Ferdinando makes a speedy recovery, and that Francesco can be an adequate replacement in Torino's quest for promotion.

Here is a short video of new keeper Francesco Benussi in action for Palermo -

Forza Torino