Torino 1-0 Grosseto

Football really is a funny game. Just thirteen days ago, Torino seemed to be in crisis, they had just suffered their fourth consecutive defeat against Frosinone, and coach Giuseppe Papadopulo was sacked eleven days after being given the job. However, the decision to re-appoint Franco Lerda as coach may prove to be a masterstroke, as Torino have now won both of their games since his return, and a position in the playoffs at the end of the season now look more realistic.

However, on Friday night, it was Grosseto who had the first opportunity to open the scoring, but Rubinho made a miraculous save from Ferdinando Sforzini's header to keep the scores level. The away team had started the game brightly, and Rubinho was forced into another save, this time from on loan Juventus striker Ciro Immobile's long range shot. Torino's first chance of the game came via Andrea Gasbarroni's long range effort, but Grosseto keeper Antonio Narciso proved he could also make a fine save when called upon. In an entertaining first half, it was Dejan Lazarevic who should have opened his goalscoring account for Torino, but his shot hit the side netting.

Torino had the first meaningful chance of the second half, and it was that man Lazarevic who should have scored again, but blazed his shot high over the bar from just ten yards out, albeit at a difficult angle. Just as it began to look like it would be one of those days, where Torino would be unable to capitalise on their dominance, they got their breakthrough, with just fifteen minutes remaining. A diagonal ball from Alessandro Budel found his central midfield colleague Giuseppe De Feudis in the area who took the ball down with consummate ease and slid a pass to Mirco Antenucci to tap into an unguarded net from eight yards out.

Despite a few nervous moments towards the end of the game, Torino were able to hold on to give them a vital three points. Saturday's results were also kind to Toro, as playoff rivals Livorno were beaten at home and Reggina only managed to draw, and although Vicenza were victorious, Torino find themselves just one point away from the final playoff position.

As one Italian match report stated after the game - Il Toro sta crescendo, The Bull is Growing. That certainly does seem to be the case.

Papadopulo Sacked, Lerda Reappointed

Incredibly, just eleven days since their last management change, Torino have once again sacked their manager, and replaced him with the man they had previously dismissed.

Giuseppe Papadopulo's tenure as coach of the seven time champions of Italy proved to be a short one, as defeats in both his two games in charge has led to his prompt dismissal. Torino president Urbano Cairo has reappointed Franco Lerda as coach, the same man who was sacked in order to appoint Papadopulo, as they attempt to find a solution to their terrible run of form, which has seen them lose four games in a row.

This incredible saga is sure to make Cairo even more unpopular with the majority of Torino fans, who see him as one of the main reasons why they are in Serie B. Therefore, the news that Cairo will vacate his position as president at the end of the season is sure to be welcomed. Despite their dreadful recent results, Toro still only find themselves four points away from 6th place, and although it would be unlikely, if Torino could recapture some of the form they enjoyed before Christmas under Lerda, they could make the playoffs.

Whatever happens from now until the end of the season, it promises not to be dull, with Torino, it never is.

Lerda Sacked, Papadopulo Appointed

After weeks of speculation, Torino chairman Urbano Cairo has finally decided to relieve Franco Lerda from his position of Torino manager.

Lerda, who was appointed at the start of the season, did not enjoy a particularly successful start to his career Torino career, as disappointing defeats in his first two league games against Varese and Cittadella did not give Toro the flying start they would have wanted. Whilst Torino's form did improve, especially in the months of November and December, they have underperformed since the winter break, and ultimately, a run of four defeats in the last six games meant Lerda's reign was becoming untenable.

Lerda has been replaced by Giuseppe Papadopulo, who is perhaps best known for his spell in charge of Siena, where he got the small side from Tuscany promoted to Serie A. Papadopulo has also had spells in charge of Lazio, Palermo, Bologna and Lecca, who he got promoted to Serie A in 2008.

The 63 year old will take charge of his first game on the Torino bench on Saturday, at home to Livorno.

Torino V Pescara Preview

Tuttosport have described Saturday's home fixture against Pescara as a 'Day of Judgement' and for once, it is difficult to disagree with the Turin based newspaper. Torino coach Franco Lerda heads into the game with question marks surrounding his future at the club after two consecutive defeats, and a third, would almost certainly signal the end of his tenure.

Whilst Torino desperately need a victory, the challenge to beat Pescara will be a difficult one. The team from Abruzzo currently lie one place above Torino in the Serie B table, and will believe that a victory over the seven times Scudetto winners, would enhance their own chances of reaching the playoffs.

Torino 1-2 Sassuolo

Torino's promotion hopes were dealt a huge blow after an embarrassing home defeat against relegation threatened Sassuolo. The defeat was disappointing for the home side, due to the fact Torino had taken the lead in the first half, with Rolando Bianchi (who else) converting a penalty after Angelo Rea was penalised for a handball in the area. However, Torino were unable to capitalise on the lead given to them by their captain, and Sassuolo equalised ten minutes into the second period, via Andrea De Falco's outstanding free kick. De Falco then scored what proved to be the winner mid way through the second half, after Sassuolo were awarded a penalty when Valerio Di Cesare was harshly adjudged to have fouled Andrea Catellani.

Whilst this defeat was undeniably a painful one for the fans to endure, the reality is that Torino are only out of the playoff positions on goal difference, and promotion, albeit via the playoffs is still possible. However, questions must be asked as to why Torino continue to underachieve despite having one of the best squads in the division. In Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi, they have two players who have been the subject of interest from many Serie A teams, and the fact they have been able to retain these players should have acted as a catalyst for a promotion push. Instead the team seems to have gone backwards since the winter break, and have not won a league match since December 18th.

After the final whistle on Saturday, a lot of the fans anger was directed towards chairman Urbano Cairo, and perhaps a change in ownership would be one way to move the club forward. The future of coach Franco Lerda could also be questioned, though for a club who have had seven coaches in five years, stability is certainly something that has been lacking, and wouldn't be helped by another change in that department.

Toro seal double signing

Torino have confirmed the signings of striker Mirco Antenucci and the Brazillian attacking midfielder Denilson Gabionetta, in a busy couple of days for the club. Antenucci joins from Catania and Torino fans will certainly be hoping he is able to replicate the form he showed on loan at Ascoli last season in Serie B, when he scored an impressive tally of 24 goals.

The signing of Denilson Gabionetta has been one Torino have attempted since the start of the season, however due to disputes regarding who actually owns the player, it had been difficult, tho it has finally been resolved. Franco Lerda was especially keen to get Gabionetta on board having coached the player last season at Crotone, where he scored 9 times, including the winner against Torino.

Torino have also announced that they have terminated the contract by mutual consent of Austrian midfielder Jurgen Säumel.