Juve Stabia 1-1 Torino

Torino came from behind to gain a point against Juve Stabia, but with their promotion rivals winning, this game could be viewed as a missed opportunity.

Toro made six changes from the side that were beaten at home by Hellas Verona, as Kamil Glik, Francesco Pratali, Migjen Basha, Juan Surraco, Alessandro Sgrigna and Riccardo Meggiorini came into the starting eleven.

However, those changes didn't seem to work because it was the home side who dominated the early exchanges, with Marco Sau, Horacio Erpen and Mezavilla all having opportunities to score. Juve Stabia should have taken the lead after twenty minutes when Ivano Baldanzeddu cross found Sau, but his header rattled the post.

But Juve Stabia didn't have to wait long to take a deserved lead, as fifteen minutes later Marco Sau finally got the goal he had been threatening all afternoon. Toro failed to adequately clear a free kick, and that gave Erpen room to deliver a looping cross that Sau volleyed into the bottom the corner.

After seemingly being happy with passing the ball amongst the back four, that goal forced Torino to come out of their shell, and they should have equalised immediately. Juan Surraco's weak shot was parried by home keeper Simone Colombi, but somehow, with the goal wide open, Riccardo Meggiorini's shot went straight back to the goalkeeper.

However, five minutes before the break, Torino did get their equaliser when Matteo Darmian's outstanding cross was headed into the net by Alessandro Sgrigna - his seventh of the season.

Torino had the better chances in the second half, and they should have taken the lead when Angelo Ogbonna's wayward shot was diverted goalwards by Kamil Glik, but from just six yards out the, his effort clipped the post. Toro had half chances in the closing stages from Sgrigna and substitute Rolando Bianchi, but they couldn't find what would have been an undeserved winner.

The failure to win this game was obviously a disappointment, but Toro's lacklustre performance for large spells of the match is perhaps more worrying. With their rivals continuing to win, a victory at home to Gubbio next Saturday is of the utmost importance.

Forza Torino

Juve Stabia V Torino Preview

After their surprise defeat at home to Hellas Verona on Monday, Torino have the chance to make amends against Juve Stabia on Saturday afternoon. It is has been a strange week for Toro, because despite that defeat they have moved to the top of the Serie B table after their defeat against Padova was overturned and the Granata were awarded a 3-0 victory.

As you may remember from December, Torino's match against Padova was abandoned because of floodlight failure after 76 minutes with the home side 1-0 ahead . However, despite the remainder of the match being replayed eleven days afterwards, it has now been decided that result was void and Torino have been awarded the points. With many Torino fans agreeing that this may be the incorrect the decision, we can expect this saga to continue as Padova are expected to appeal.

However, now that is out of the way, its time to focus on the football on the pitch, and Torino will make at least two changes for their visit to Juve Stabia. Valerio Di Cesare and Manuel Iori have not made the trip, and are expected to be replaced by Kamil Glik and Migjen Basha. Stefano Guberti has once again been included in the squad following injury, and he could make his first appearance since September's victory against Vicenza.

Torino's opponents Juve Stabia have done well since being promoted last season and are currently in mid table, but will need to secure some more points in order to ensure they are not dragged into a relegation battle. Much of their success has been built on their good home form, as of their eleven victories, eight have came at the Stadio Romeo Menti. Striker Marco Sau has scored 15 goals this season, so a Torino defence fresh form conceding four goals on Monday will have to be wary.

Prediction

Juve Stabia 1-2 Torino

Torino 1-0 Juve Stabia

Torino continued their impressive start to the season, as they beat a stubborn Juve Stabia side 1-0 to record their fifth consecutive victory and remain top of the Serie B table.

There was a sombre atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon as a minutes silence was held to commemorate the lives of Lorenzo Ghedi and Fabio Massimo Pozzo who tragically died after they were involved in a collision with the Torino team coach on Sunday night.

Torino fans also paid tribute to their former player Gigi Meroni, as the 15th October is the anniversary of his death. The enigmatic winger died in a road accident 44 years ago, and the man affectionately referred to as the 'La Farfalla Granata' (The Granata Butterfly) was commonly acknowledged to be one of the best players of his generation before his premature death, aged just 24.

Torino made a number of changes to the side that beat Hellas Verona last weekend, with Alen Stevanovic, Giulio Ebagua and Angelo Ogbonna all coming in to the starting eleven.

The first real chance of the match came after fifteen minutes, after nice interplay between Rolando Bianchi and Giulio Ebagua put Mirco Antenucci through on goal, but his shot was well blocked by the covering defender.

In the opening seconds of the second half, the visitors almost took a surprise lead after a mistake from Kamil Glik gave substitute Jerry Mbakogu a chance to score, but his lob went well over the bar.

Captain Rolando Bianchi almost opened the scoring for Toro, but his fierce shot from 20 yards went over the bar. Moments later, Alessandro Parisi almost came close to scoring his first goal in a Torino shirt when his free kick from 40 yards out was deflected, but Andrea Seculin in the Juve Stabia goal made a good save to deny him.

Torino came close to scoring once again, this time it was Alen Stevanovic who did well to get to the byline and cut the ball back to substitute Alessandro Sgrigna, but unfortunately for Toro, Sgrigna lent back at the vital moment, and the ball ballooned over the bar.

With ten minutes remaining, Torino finally got the breakthrough that their play deserved when the Poland International Kamil Glik delivered an inch perfect assist to find Rolando Bianchi, who peeled away from his marker to head into the corner of the net.

Despite one nervy moment when a Ferdinando Coppola clearance rebounded off a Juve Stabia player to go narrowly wide, Torino held on for their eighth victory of the season - and thanks to Padova losing to Varese on Friday night, Toro are now six points clear at the top of the league.

Forza Torino

Torino V Juve Stabia Preview

After last Sunday’s victory against Hellas Verona – a win that set a new record for consecutive away wins for the Granata , Torino will play another newly promoted side on Saturday, when they face Juve Stabia at home.

Whilst this may not be the Torino – Juve clash that most Toro fans have become accustomed to over the years, Juve Stabia will certainly pose a tough test. This is their first season back in Serie B after a 59 year absence, and it is also the first time that these two sides have ever met in a competitive fixture.

This match sees two teams in great form going head to head, as both Torino and Juve Stabia have won their last four matches. However, Juve Stabia have received setback in their quest to maintain their place in the second tier, as earlier this week, they were deducted five points for alleged match fixing of a game in 2009. 

However, as we have seen with Atalanta in Serie A, receiving a point deduction can have a positive effect on a team, and Juve Stabia will undoubtedly be eager to make up those points as quickly as possible, so Toro will have to be wary.

The home side will be boosted by the fact that Angelo Ogbonna has returned from international duty and should return to the starting eleven. Elsewhere, Giulio Ebagua may also be in line for a start after his outstanding goal against Hellas, whilst Alen Stevanovic should also return having been rested.