AC Milan 1-0 Torino

Torino once again conceded in the final ten minutes as they fell to a fourth consecutive defeat against AC Milan on Sunday afternoon.

Giampiero Ventura made a surprising tactical decision by lining the Granata up in an unfamiliar 5-3-2 formation, which clearly signalled that their main intention at the San Siro was to avoid defeat.

However, it was Torino who could have taken the lead within two minutes when an excellent Matteo Darmian interception and then through ball found Alessio Cerci, but the Italian international's shot was easily saved by Christian Abbiati. 

At the other end, Jean Francois Gillet was forced into action - first to deny Sulley Muntari's long range effort, and then to save Kevin Prince Boateng's shot with his legs. But Torino were still counter attacking efficiently, and a lovely piece of skill from Cerci put Paulo Barreto through on goal with only Abbiati to beat, but somehow the former Torino keeper was able to deny the Brazilian striker.

Whilst AC Milan were not at their best, they were still creating good opportunities, and Toro were fortunate when Philippe Mexes's header deflected off Gillet's back and went narrowly wide of the post.

In the second half, Toro were continuing to frustrate the home side and also had another great chance to take the lead when Cerci once again found Barreto in space, but the former Bari striker was once again denied by Abbiati when it had seemed easier to score.

Cerci was continuing to create havoc in his more advanced position, and he gave Valerio Di Cesare a chance to become an unlikely goalscorer, but the former Chelsea defender drilled his shot wide of the post.

However, with six minutes left the Rossoneri did take the lead when Antonio Nocerino's floating cross found Mexes, and the Frenchman unselfishly headed the ball across goal to give Mario Balotelli a tap in. 

That goal was enough to push Milan closer to Champions League qualification, and inflict a fourth consecutive defeat on Torino - although like the three previous matches, a draw would not have been an unjust result. The Granata must now re-group ahead of two winnable fixtures in the next seven days (Genoa at Home and Chievo Away) and they will know that four points from these two matches should be enough to secure their Serie A status for another season.

Forza Torino

Udinese V Torino Preview

Torino will travel to the North East of Italy on Sunday afternoon to face Udinese, and will be hopeful of extending their unbeaten start to 2013.

Captain Rolando Bianchi is injured, so for the fourth game in succession Paulo Barreto and Riccardo Meggiorini are expected to lead the line upfront. Brazilian striker Barreto will have added motivation to score his first game for the club on Sunday, as he is a former Udinese player - although rarely got a regular run in the team. Angelo Ogbonna returns to the squad for the first time since being injured in October, but Guillermo Rodriguez - who has impressed in the absence of the Italian international is still expected to keep his place.

Like Torino, Udinese have only suffered defeat on six occasions this season, but like the Granata have drawn more games than they have won. Despite being defeated by Mario Balotelli (sorry AC Milan) in controversial circumstances last Sunday, the Zebrette have been in great form at home in recent weeks - winning their last three matches against Inter, Fiorentina and Siena.

Prediction
Udinese 2-1 Torino

Angelo Ogbonna Makes Italy Debut

Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna made his long-awaited Italy debut, as Italy beat Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland 2-0 in Wrocław.

As you may remember, Angelo was originally called up to the Italy squad by Cesare Prandelli for the friendly match against Ireland in June, but he has had to wait until now to finally make his debut.

Ogbonna gained his first cap as a substitute, replacing Domenico Criscito in the 77th minute with Italy two goals to the good thanks to strikes from Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini. He played in his usual position of centre back, as the more experienced Giorgio Chiellini moved to left back.

Understandably, Angelo looked slightly nervous as he made his international debut, but apart from his first touch as an Azzurri player - a poor back-pass to Gianluigi Buffon, he looked relatively assured and helped Italy to maintain a clean sheet and win the match.

His debut was tarnished slightly as he received a yellow card (somewhat harshly) in the 92nd minute, but that should not take anything away from the fact, that a player who has played the last three seasons in Serie B has managed to become the first Torino player to play for Italy since Alessandro Rosina in 2007.

Lets hope he will continue his impressive performances with Torino when he returns from international duty, and gain a place in Prandelli's final 23 man squad that he will take to Euro 2012.

Torino V Lumezzane Preview

Tonight, Torino will play their first competitive game of the 2011/12 season when they face Lega Pro side Lumezzane in the second round of the Coppa Italia.

Whilst the league is undoubtedly the priority for Torino this season, as they attempt to mount yet another promotion challenge, a good cup run would certainly be welcome in order to build momentum before their first Serie B fixture, away to Ascoli in two weeks time.

Torino's opponents, Lumezzane play in the Lega Pro Prima Divisione (formerly Serie C1) and their coach, Davide Nicola, is a former Torino player. The name of Lumezzane may also be familiar to some due to the fact Italy international Mario Balotelli started his career at the club, making his debut at just 15 years old before moving on to Inter.

Lumezzane beat Pro Patria 4-1 in the last round, showing that they should not be taken lightly, and the winners of this tie will face an away game at Siena next week.