Bourne's Season Review Part Three : Full Backs

Part Three : Full Backs 

Pablo Caceres, 2 appearance, no vote

One of the main failings of last summer’s – and indeed winter’s – transfer  campaign was the non-signing of a quality left-back. The unconvincing Salvatore Masiello was retained and following the club’s failure to sign Djamel Mesbah from Milan – apparently the only target on Petrachi’s list – two free agents were recruited: former Cagliari man Alessandro Agostini and via La Liga, 28-year old Uruguayan Pablo Caceres.

Agostini never played and left for Verona in January, Caceres featured just twice, once during a defensive injury crisis, the second time in the final game of the season. He received a (sympathy) vote of 6 for his performances against Siena and Catania. Ventura never believed in him and despite sitting on the bench for almost every match, Caceres never rocked the boat. A lack of a pre-season and questionable fitness levels proved decisive.

Verdict: Will be released and instantly forgotten

Matteo Darmian, 30 appearances, 0 goals, vote 6.5

One of the players, I tipped for a break-out season. It didn’t quite happen for the 23-year old right back but the foundations have been laid for a stellar 2013-14 campaign. Despite having the equally impressive Danilo D’Ambrosio breathing down his neck, Darmian established himself as Toro’s regular right-back and a favourite of Ventura. Not as impressive going forward as D’Ambrosio nor as dangerous in the opposition box, Darmian is a more grintoso, tactically-sound full-back. At one point in the season he was the player in Europe’s five biggest leagues to have won the most tackles. That aggressive side of his game needs some work as 11 yellow cards and three suspensions testify. Buying out the rest of his contract from Palermo is a key priority. Next season could be his opportunity to force Cesare Prandelli to take a more detailed look. Darmian also has the potential to play at centre-back which could well be his future position, allowing D’Ambrosio to slot in as the permanent right-back.

Verdict: One of the crown jewels of the current team. Young, professional and improving. A player the club needs to hang on to. Darmian will benefit from the learning curve and highs and lows of 2012-13.

Danilo D’Ambrosio, 28 appearances, 2 goals, vote 7

I’m not going to hide it, D’Ambrosio is one of my favourite current Toro players. Now in his fourth season at the club following his arrival from Juve Stabia in 2009, he has rapidly improved under Ventura following a disastrous 2010-11 campaign. The Neapolitan has predominantly alternated between right and left back, although slotted in across midfield as well. The rotation of positions will probably benefit him long-term although his versatility has sometimes cost him a run of games in the same position. D’Ambrosio has always been a threat going forward, very useful in the air and surprisingly adept at delivering a quality ball from the byeline. His partnership with Alessio Cerci also provided one of Toro’s most potent attacking weapons. One of few players 100% owned by the club, the dark cloud is a contract running down in 2014. A future Italian international and potentially club captain in 2013-14.

Verdict: Toro need to tie him to a new deal as interest is building. One of the cornerstones for next year’s team although the club have been careless in not already securing his services.

Salvatore Masiello, 24 appearances, 0 goals, vote 5

Signed in the January 2012 transfer window, Masiello is another member of the Bari clan. Barely featured in the promotion campaign – indeed only once – and due to a piecemeal transfer campaign suddenly found himself as first choice left-back in 2012-13, a position he shared with D’Ambrosio. Naturally left-footed, Masiello’s limitation is that he is neither defensively full-proof nor convincing going forward. Often clumsy in possession, Toro always looked weaker down his flank, something the opposition regularly exploited. Probably enjoyed his best run during the middle of the season but there’s no escaping that if Toro had a better-quality left back, a salto di qualità would have been achieved.

Verdict: Out of contract and should probably be released. The top half of Serie B is more his level. Ventura may see him as a back-up left-back in 2013-14.

Overall verdict: D’Ambrosio and Darmian to be retained although the club need to move fast to retain their services. Two new left-backs needed.

Peter is the author of the outstanding Torino book 'Passion in the Piazza' which is available on Amazon, and you can follow him on Twitter here.

Toro make double move

With Torino beginning their pre-season training camp on Monday, Giampiero Ventura has made two signings in order to strengthen their somewhat depleted squad.

Experienced goalkeeper Jean-François Gillet has signed on a three year contract from Bologna, and the Belgian stopper has now been reunited with Ventura, who was his one of his many coaches at Bari. Gillet is sometimes referred to as Il Gatto di Liegi (The Cat from Liege) and is known for his good reflexes and his ability to begin attacks from the back with his feet.

The obligatory YouTube video -

 

Torino have also re-signed full back Matteo Darmian from Palermo, this time on a co-ownership deal. The former Milan defender spent last season on loan at the club, and was one of Torino's most impressive performers, so his acquisition is certainly a boost. With pre-season beginning imminently, Toro are almost certain to make a few more signings before Monday, with Djamel Mesbah, Alessandro Gazzi, Matteo Brighi and Gianluca Sansone being heavily linked.

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

Torino V Livorno Preview

After three games without a win, Torino are desperate for a victory and will look to gain all three points when they face Livorno at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon.

Toro are once again without captain Rolando Bianchi - although his suspension has been reduced to two games, so he will return to the squad next week for the match against Padova.

Bianchi's continued absence will not help Toro's recent goalscoring problems, as they have scored just two goals in their last four matches. Matteo Darmian is once again absent from the squad due to injury, but Danilo D'Ambrosio had recovered from the slight knock that he picked up against Crotone.

Their opponents Livorno, who are coached by ex Toro boss Walter Novellino have had an indifferent start to the season, and find themselves in 11th place, fifteen points behind Torino. Livorno also have a number of former Torino players amongst their ranks, including Luca Belingheri and World Cup Winner Simone Barone - although both players were unused substitutes in Livorno's last match, a home defeat to Ascoli.

Crotone 0-0 Torino

Torino drew for the third successive game, as they could only draw 0-0 with Crotone on a difficult pitch, and their lead at the top of Serie B has been cut to three points.

With Matteo Darmian out injured, Danilo D'Ambrosio replaced him at right back, whilst Angelo Ogbonna returned in the centre of defence. Due to Rolando Bianchi's suspension, Giulio Ebagua started the game upfront with Alessandro Sgrigna.

In a quiet first half, the home side had the first chance, but Nicola Sansone's long range shot was turned over the bar by Ferdinando Coppola. Torino were struggling to create any clear cut chances, and it was Crotone who came closest once again, as Sansone was unlucky to see his curling shot rebound off the post.

Alessandro Parisi had Torino's best chance of the first half, but his half-volley from the edge of the area went wide of the post, and the two teams went in at half time level.

The curse of the Torino right back continued, as Danilo D'Ambrosio went off injured at half time and he was replaced by Valerio Di Cesare.

Torino came had the best opportunity of the match when nice interplay left Mirco Antenucci in space in the area, but instead of shooting himself, he tried to set up Giulio Ebagua, whose shot was blocked by the Crotone defence.

Ferdinando Coppola excelled himself once again, as he made a turned Caetano's long range shot over the bar. Nnamdi Oduamadi and Simone Verdi came on for Toro as they tried to find a winning goal, but apart from a few crosses into the area that narrowly missed their target, Toro failed to create any clear cut chances, and were forced to settle for a draw.

Whilst Torino have still only lost one game this season, Toro fans may be worried that they have only scored two goals in their last four matches - and Toro will have to find a way to score more goals if they want to get back to winning ways.

Forza Torino

Torino 2-1 Empoli

Torino returned to winning ways and extended their lead at the top of the Serie B table, as they came from behind to beat Empoli 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Toro made a number of changes to the side that lost at Gubbio, with Valerio Di Cesare, Migjen Basha, Juan Surraco and Giulio Ebagua all coming into the team.

Torino had the first opportunity in the match after some incisive wing play by Alen Stevanovic enabled him to charge into the area and unleash a shot at goal that was tipped over the bar by Alberto Pelagotti in the Empoli goal. And the away side's keeper also did well to deny Rolando Bianchi, as he turned the Torino Captain's effort around the post.

However, it was Empoli who took the lead just ten minutes before the half time interval, with a fantastic strike from Flavio Lazzari. The midfielder received the ball 20 yards out, and sold a fantastic dummy to get past Valerio Di Cesare who had attempted to close him down, before unleashing an outstanding left footed shot into the top corner.

At half time, Giampiero Ventura brought on Mirco Antenucci to replace the ineffective Juan Surraco, and the former Catania man made an instant impact as just five minutes into the second half, Toro were level. Antenucci found himself with oceans of room on the left hand side in the penalty area, and got to the byline, before cutting the ball back to the grateful Giulio Ebagua who slid the ball home from three yards out.

And Antenucci almost had a goal for himself moments later, as he curled a fantastic shot towards goal from just inside the area, but was denied by Pelagotti. However, Toro didn't have long to wait to take the lead because with 25 minutes remaining, they got their second goal from an unlikely source.

A corner was whipped in from the left, and Rolando Bianchi's header was initially saved by the fantastic Alberto Pelagotti, however Matteo Darmian was the quickest to react as he hooked the ball into the net to give Toro the lead.

Ferdinando Coppola redeemed himself for his awful error against Gubbio, as he made a good save from Mirko Valdifiori's shot, and at the other end, Bianchi and Antenucci both spurned chances to extend Torino's lead.

However, in the end it didn't matter as Torino held on to the three points, and are now four points clear of Zdenek Zeman's Pescara at the top of the league, ahead of a difficult visit to Reggina on Tuesday.

Forza Torino.

Nocerina 1-2 Torino

Torino continued their unbeaten start to the season with a narrow victory at newly promoted Nocerina, their third away win of the season, and the first time they have won three consecutive away games since May 2006.

Giampiero Ventura made a number of changes to the team that drew at home to Brescia on Monday night, with Kamil Glik, Luciano Zavagno, Giuseppe Vives and Mirco Antenucci all coming into the starting eleven, with captain Rolando Bianchi left on the bench.

The home side made a bright start to the match, and Toro defender Matteo Darmian made a great tackle to deny Manuel Scalise who appeared to be through on goal. Torino's first chance of the match once again fell to Alen Stevanovic, but the winger could only hit the side netting with his left footed shot.

Torino took the lead after twenty minutes, and it was one of the players brought into the side, Mirco Antenucci, who scored the goal. Initially, it looked as though Antenucci had wasted a great chance to give Toro the lead after his scuffed shot had hit the post. But he didn't have long to dwell on that miss, as just seconds later, after another exquisite pass by Manuel Iori, he was put through on goal, and this time he made no mistake and put Torino 1-0 up.

Torino nearly doubled their lead after a clever free kick routine saw the ball passed along the ground to Giuseppe Vives (who had been a part of the wall) but the midfielder dragged his shot wide of the target. Just before half time, Nocerina had a great chance to equalise, but Ferdinando Coppola made a good reflex save from Luigi Castaldo's header.

Torino extended their lead on the hour mark, and once again the goal was created by outstanding wing play from Alen Stevanovic. The Serbian knocked the ball past the full back as if he wasn't there before getting to the byline and cutting the ball back to Giulio Ebagua, who controlled the ball with his right foot, turned, and then finished powerfully with his left foot to score his first goal in a Torino shirt.

However, less than ten minutes later, Nocerina were handed a way back into the match after Matteo Darmian upended substitute Emanuele Catania in the area to give the home side a penalty. Catania picked himself up to take the penalty himself, and sent Coppola the wrong way to ensure a nervy last twenty minutes for Torino.

Nocerina nearly equalised through defender Roberto Di Maio towards the end of the match, but his volley was cleared off the line by Manuel Iori, and Toro held on for a vital victory.

This result put Torino level on points with Brescia and Padova at the top of the Serie B table, and their next match promises to be an intriguing encounter as they travel to Genoa on Friday night to face Sampdoria.

Forza Torino

Torino 1-0 Lumezzane

Torino progressed to the third round of the Coppa Italia with a narrow 1-0 victory against Lega Pro side Lumezzane at the Stadio Olimpico.

With the Serie B season just a fortnight away, this cup game was a further opportunity for Torino to improve their fitness, and Giampiero Ventura played a strong side, with both Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi in the starting eleven.

As one may expect, Torino started the brighter against their lower league opposition, with new signing Stefano Guberti a constant threat down the left wing. It was Guberti who had the first opportunity of the game, but his curling right footed shot was blocked by a Lumezzane defender. Torino's best chance of the first half fell to captain Rolando Bianchi, who continues to be linked with a move away from the club, before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

After a great through ball by Manuel Iori, Bianchi  found himself one on one with the Lumezzane goalkeeper, but his shot was well saved by Francesco Rossi. Incredibly, on the stroke of half time, the Lega Pro side almost took the lead, with Roberto Inglese's speculative 25 yard shot hitting the post.

Torino took the lead just past the hour mark, when Matteo Darmian's perfect cross found substitute Mirco Antenucci, whose powerful header gave the goalkeeper no chance. Antenucci was substituted moments after scoring due to an injury, but his winning goal will certainly strengthen his case for a starting place in the next round.

Toro had an opportunity to extend their lead when the impressive Alen Stevanovic found substitute Giulio Ebagua, whose 20 yard shot whistled past the post. In the closing stages, Lumezzane hit the woodwork again, this time it was Fausto Ferrari who hit the bar from an acute angle, but Torino held on, and will face Siena in the next round.

Darmian joins Torino

Torino have added another new face to the squad for the upcoming season by completing the signing of Palermo defender Matteo Darmian on loan.

Darmian (21), who began his career at AC Milan (and they still own part of his contract) is a right back, and featured in eleven matches for Palermo last season. As Torino only have one other right back on their books, the arrival of Darmian is vital, and he will compete with Danilo D'Ambrosio for a starting position.

In his entire professional career, Darmian has only scored one goal, that he scored whilst on loan with Padova in the 2009/10 season. Despite the commentators claim that it is a 'gol fantastico', I think it is safe to say, that the goal was a fluke.

Judge for yourselves below.