Torino bounced back from a last Sunday's defeat at Brescia with a 3-0 win in Grosseto - their first win away from home since November.
Giampiero Ventura made just the one change from that game, with Nnamdi Oduamadi replacing Migjen Basha as Toro reverted back to a 4-4-2 formation.
It was a great start for the away side as after just twelve minutes they took the lead with their first chance of the match. Mirco Antenucci broke free down the right and rounded the keeper, and although his shot was cleared off the line, Nnamdi Oduamadi was on hand to score from three yards out.
Grosseto reacted well and almost had an equaliser when Francesco Benussi's punch fell to former Juventus midfielder Simone Esposito, whose stunning volley hit the stanchion behind the goal.
As the second half began, the home side continued to look for an equaliser, and another long range shot from Martin Petras forced Benussi into a fine save. Alessandro Parisi and Riccardo Meggiorini both had half chances for Toro, but Grosseto still looked the more likely to score.
However, in injury time, the moment all Torino fans had been waiting for arrived, as substitute Juan Surraco broke down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for fellow sub Rolando Bianchi to head home his first goal since October 15th.
Incredibly, the scoring did not finish there, as in the final minute of injury time, Giuseppe Vives' long pass found Mirco Antenucci in space, and the striker calmly lobbed the onrushing Grosseto keeper before continuing his run and side-footing into an empty net.
Although the performance at Brescia last weekend was arguably better despite losing, the most important thing was that Torino got the three points. In the process of victory, Toro also ended two long-running and unwelcome statistics (last away victory and Bianchi's last goal) as well as extending their lead at the top of the Serie B table to four points.
Forza Torino
Showing posts with label Grosseto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grosseto. Show all posts
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Friday, 2 March 2012
Grosseto V Torino Preview
Valerio Di Cesare has recovered from injury and should therefore partner Angelo Ogbonna in central defence, who impressed whilst playing for Italy in midweek. Cristian Pasquato is still not available to make his debut following an eye injury, whilst Rolando Bianchi will once again be looking to end his goal drought.
Grosseto are currently in 12th position in the table, and whilst they may still be dreaming of sneaking into the playoffs, a mid-table finish is probably more likely. After a 2-0 victory at Ascoli in their last fixture two weeks ago, confidence will be high and therefore they should not be taken lightly.
Torino won the reverse fixture 1-0 in October after a late own goal by Angelo Iorio, and given Toro's recent struggles on the road (their last away win was November 1st) any type of victory would certainly be welcome in order to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Prediction
Grosseto 0-1 Torino
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Torino 1-0 Grosseto
Torino went three points clear at the top of the Serie B table after a narrow 1-0 victory against Grosseto on Wednesday night.
Toro defender Angelo Ogbonna received some positive news before the game, as he had been called up to the Italy squad by Cesare Prandelli for their Euro 2012 qualification matches after an injury to Domenico Criscito, and he would join up with the squad after this match.
There were a number of changes to the team that beat Sampdoria, with Danilo D'Ambrosio, Kamil Glik, Migjen Basha and Giulio Ebagua all coming into the starting eleven.
The first half was particularly quiet, with Grosseto being content with putting ten men behind the ball and attempting to hit Torino on the counter. Therefore clear cut chances in the first half were limited, with the best chance probably coming from Manuel Iori's teasing free kick, that Kamil Glik failed to make contact with.
In the second half, Grosseto came close to opening the scoring when former Torino midfielder Paulo Zanetti hit a half volley from long range, but Ferdinando Coppola was able to turn around the post.
The turning point of the match occurred with just ten minutes left, when Grosseto substitute Luigi Consonni was sent off for two yellow cards, having just been on the pitch for 23 minutes. And the impact from that dismissal was immediate, as from the resulting free kick, Angelo Iorio headed into his own net to give Torino the lead.
Against Grosseto's ten men, Torino had numerous chances to extend their lead in the closing stages, with Mirco Antenucci, Giulio Ebagua and Manuel Iori all going close. However, the game ended 1-0 and that was enough to give Toro all three points, and put them top of the Serie B table after eight games.
Toro defender Angelo Ogbonna received some positive news before the game, as he had been called up to the Italy squad by Cesare Prandelli for their Euro 2012 qualification matches after an injury to Domenico Criscito, and he would join up with the squad after this match.
There were a number of changes to the team that beat Sampdoria, with Danilo D'Ambrosio, Kamil Glik, Migjen Basha and Giulio Ebagua all coming into the starting eleven.
The first half was particularly quiet, with Grosseto being content with putting ten men behind the ball and attempting to hit Torino on the counter. Therefore clear cut chances in the first half were limited, with the best chance probably coming from Manuel Iori's teasing free kick, that Kamil Glik failed to make contact with.
In the second half, Grosseto came close to opening the scoring when former Torino midfielder Paulo Zanetti hit a half volley from long range, but Ferdinando Coppola was able to turn around the post.
The turning point of the match occurred with just ten minutes left, when Grosseto substitute Luigi Consonni was sent off for two yellow cards, having just been on the pitch for 23 minutes. And the impact from that dismissal was immediate, as from the resulting free kick, Angelo Iorio headed into his own net to give Torino the lead.
Against Grosseto's ten men, Torino had numerous chances to extend their lead in the closing stages, with Mirco Antenucci, Giulio Ebagua and Manuel Iori all going close. However, the game ended 1-0 and that was enough to give Toro all three points, and put them top of the Serie B table after eight games.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Torino V Grosseto Preview
After the fantastic performance and result against Sampdoria, Torino return to action of Wednesday eager to continue their good form at home to Grosseto.
Whilst on paper, this looks like an easier game than the fixture against Sampdoria, Torino should be weary, that like themselves, Grosseto are also unbeaten this season, and sit just four points behind them in 5th place. In their last match, the Tuscan side conceded a 95th minute equaliser to draw 3-3 at home to Ascoli, so their confidence may have been dented. However, they also have a striker in form, in the shape of former Arsenal player Arturo Lupoli who scored twice in that match.
Unfortunately for Torino, they will be without one of the goalscoring heroes from Friday night because Sergiu Suciu picked up an injury in that match, and will be out for a month. Although the team is not expected to change drastically from their last outing, there are rumours that Danilo D'Ambrosio and Kamil Glik could come into the starting eleven, whilst Alessandro Sgrigna and Giulio Ebagua will also be eager to gain a starting position.
Whilst on paper, this looks like an easier game than the fixture against Sampdoria, Torino should be weary, that like themselves, Grosseto are also unbeaten this season, and sit just four points behind them in 5th place. In their last match, the Tuscan side conceded a 95th minute equaliser to draw 3-3 at home to Ascoli, so their confidence may have been dented. However, they also have a striker in form, in the shape of former Arsenal player Arturo Lupoli who scored twice in that match.
Unfortunately for Torino, they will be without one of the goalscoring heroes from Friday night because Sergiu Suciu picked up an injury in that match, and will be out for a month. Although the team is not expected to change drastically from their last outing, there are rumours that Danilo D'Ambrosio and Kamil Glik could come into the starting eleven, whilst Alessandro Sgrigna and Giulio Ebagua will also be eager to gain a starting position.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Torino V Grosseto Preview
Fresh from their impressive 4-0 away victory at Ascoli, Torino will attempt to make it back to back victories as they face Grosseto at home on Friday evening.
A victory for Torino would mean, that for a few hours at least, they would occupy the final Playoff position in the Serie B table. If that were to happen, then it would send a message to the rest of the playoff contenders that the talk of Torino's demise throughout the last few weeks, was certainly premature. However, tomorrow's match will certainly be a difficult one against a fellow playoff rival, because a victory for Grosseto would mean that it would be them who would overtake Torino and take sixth place, evidence of just how close the division is at the moment.
A victory for Torino would mean, that for a few hours at least, they would occupy the final Playoff position in the Serie B table. If that were to happen, then it would send a message to the rest of the playoff contenders that the talk of Torino's demise throughout the last few weeks, was certainly premature. However, tomorrow's match will certainly be a difficult one against a fellow playoff rival, because a victory for Grosseto would mean that it would be them who would overtake Torino and take sixth place, evidence of just how close the division is at the moment.
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