Torino 2-0 Modena

Torino will be playing Serie A football for the first time in three seasons after their 2-0 victory over Modena on Sunday afternoon secured promotion.

Captain Rolando Bianchi was injured so Mirco Antenucci and Riccardo Meggiorini led the line, whilst Migjen Basha's absence gave Nnamdi Oduamadi a rare start.

In front of a sold out Stadio Olimpico, Toro made a bright start knowing that it was essential to get an early goal to ensure that the fans did not get nervous. Mirco Antenucci's had a great chance to add to his tally of ten goals, but Modena keeper Nicholas Caglioni did well to deny him.

Riccardo Meggiorini, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Juan Surraco all came close to scoring within the opening twenty minutes, but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing meant that it remained scoreless. However, midway through the first half, Torino did get the goal that their domination deserved as Meggiorini's shot rebounded into the path of Oduamadi who scored at the second attempt.

At the other end, a quick counter attack gave Modena their first chance of the match, but Matteo Ardemagni's shot was well saved by Francesco Benussi.

In the second half, Mirco Antenucci should have put the result beyond doubt, but he was only able to divert Juan Surraco's cross over the bar.  Danilo D'Ambrosio also had a great chance to score for the second game in a row, but his header was saved by Caglioni.

However, with seven minutes remaining, Torino finally confirmed that they would be playing Serie A football next season, as Giuseppe Vives' clever cut back was side footed in by an unlikely source - substitute Giuseppe De Feudis.

That goal sparked wild celebrations in the stadium, and although Pescara's victory against Sampdoria sealed their promotion as well, Torino will be confirmed as Serie B champions next weekend if they beat Albinoleffe next Sunday.

Instead of playing against the likes of Crotone, Cittadella and Gubbio like they did this season - next season, Torino will now be facing Milan, Inter and Juventus - with the derby being the fixture most Toro fans are  looking forward to the most.

Forza Torino

Torino V Modena Preview

After three seasons in Italy's second tier, Torino can confirm promotion to Serie A if they beat Modena on Sunday afternoon.

Toro will be without the injured Rolando Bianchi, so Mirco Antenucci and Riccardo Meggiorini are expected to start upfront. Alen Stevanovic and Cristian Pasquato have both returned to the squad, and the latter will be looking to start against his former side.

Modena are firmly ensconced in mid-table, and have little to play for in the two remaining games of the season - apart from their own personal pride. However, they were victorious in the reverse fixture back in December, so they are definitely capable of ruining Torino's promotion party.

Prediction
Torino 2-0 Modena

Modena 2-1 Torino

Despite taking the lead thanks to Alen Stevanovic's wonder goal, Torino lost concentration and conceded two late goals to suffer their third defeat of the season.

Toro made just one change from the side that convincingly beat Pescara last weekend, as Simone Verdi replaced Giuseppe Vives, as the away side reverted to their normal 4-2-4 formation.

It was the home side who made the better start, and within the opening couple of minutes, Francesco Stanco was unlucky to see his diving header hit the bar. Torino responded well as they also hit the woodwork from Simone Verdi's curling free kick.

Alessandro Sgrigna - who scored two goals against Pescara last Saturday, showed some nice footwork outside of the area before unleashing a fierce left footed shot that was well saved by Modena keeper Nicholas Caglioni. And Sgrigna came close to opening the scoring moments later, but his header from Alessandro Parisi's cross was tipped over the bar.

The former Vicenza striker was having a great first half, and he turned provided for Torino's next opportunity. His fantastic left footed cross found strike partner Rolando Bianchi, but his header was off target. The form of Torino's captain is becoming a worry, as Toro's top scorer for the past two seasons has not scored since mid-October.

Ten minutes before half time, Torino took the lead with an early contender for goal of the season. Manuel Iori found Alen Stevanovic with an inch-perfect cross field pass, and the former Inter winger fired a magnificent curling shot into the top corner from 30 yards. Torino had chances before half time to extend their lead, especially through Simone Verdi who could have done better when well placed. Modena also had a chance before the break, but Angelo Ogbonna did well to block Davide Di Gennaro's shot.

Torino were in control of the second half without really creating any clear goalscoring opportunities until the 75th minute, when a mix up between Kamil Glik and Ferdinando Coppola resulted in Giuseppe Greco being brought down and a penalty being awarded. However, for some inexplicable reason, it was Coppola who sent off despite it being quite clear that it was the Polish defended who had committed the foul.

Greco picked himself off the floor to convert the penalty, as he sent Toro's substitute goalkeeper Davide Morello the wrong way. And incredibly, with five minutes remaining, the home side got a winning goal against Torino's ten men when Maurizio Ciaramitaro's scuffed shot somehow found its way into the bottom corner.

Torino will certainly be disappointed to lose their last match of 2011, especially after taking the lead. At half time in this match, Torino had a seven point lead at the top of the table, but it could now just be one point if Hellas Verona beat Varese on Sunday afternoon. That being said, Torino have had a fantastic start to the season, and are certainly on course to gain promotion in 2012.

Forza Torino

Modena V Torino Preview

Torino will be looking to end 2011 on a high with as they face a trip to Modena in their last game before Serie B takes a break for the festive period.

The city of Modena is perhaps best known for being the 'Supercar Capital' of the world, as well as being the birthplace of Luciano Pavarotti and Panini football stickers. In recent times their football team has not enjoyed much success, and they have not been in Serie A since 1964.

This season, the home side find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle having only won three games all season. Modena have also lost their last three home games, which included heavy defeats to both Sassuolo and Vicenza, so Toro should fancy their chances of victory.

The away side will be without Valerio Di Cesare who is suffering from flu , whilst Angelo Ogbonna, Alessandro Parisi, Migjen Basha, Alen Stevanovic, Alessandro Sgrigna and Rolando Bianchi should all return to the starting eleven after they all missed the "defeat" to Padova in the 14 minute match on Wednesday.

Forza Torino

Angelo Ogbonna called up to Italy squad

Young Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna has been called up by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli for the friendly match against the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, after Alberto Aquilani was injured in the Azzuri's 3-0 victory over Estonia in Modena last night.

Whilst the match against Giovanni Trapattoni's Irish side is only a friendly, and Ogbonna is by no means guaranteed to gain his first cap in the match, it certainly shows that Prandelli thinks highly of a player who has only played 23 Serie A games in his career, with many of those coming as a substitute. In a season of disappointment for Torino, the continued emergence of Ogbonna has been a positive, as the vice captain was arguably Toro's best player this season, and is expected to make a big money move to a Serie A club after Torino's failure to gain promotion.

Read more at SerieAWeekly.com

Modena 1-1 Torino

Torino were once again thankful for their captain Rolando Bianchi as for the second game in succession he scored a vital equaliser to keep their recent unbeaten streak going.

Despite starting well, Torino continued what may could be seen as a worrying trend by conceding the first goal, and like on Monday against Reggina, it was a goal that was easily avoidable. The goal came from an outstanding cross by Simone Gozzi that was met with an equally good header by Francesco Stanco, and whilst the goal was a good one, questions must be asked as to why the striker was allowed to meet the cross with such ease.

However, unlike on Monday, Torino did not have to wait long for their equaliser, as just seven minutes later they were level. Angelo Ogbonna, who was playing in an unfamiliar right back role, played an exquisite left footed floating cross that went over the head of the defender, to find Bianchi who had beaten the offside trap to volley home from just inside the area. Both sides had chances to win the game in the Second Half, with Torino's best chances falling to Mirco Antenucci who unfortunately could not find a finish.

Despite only managing draws in their last two fixtures, Torino find themselves in the final playoff position, three points clear of Padova in 7th. However, it is sure to be a nerve wracking end of the season as Torino attempt to secure a position in the playoffs, and their final game of the season is against, yes, you guessed it, Padova - in a game that could determine who gains the final position in the playoffs.

Modena V Torino Preview

Torino will be hoping it will be a very good Friday indeed when they face a tough game away to Modena this evening.

After extending their unbeaten run to four games on Monday, albeit by only managing to draw against Reggina, Torino will be looking for three points that would make their position in the playoffs look more secure.However, their opponents will certainly not be pushovers, as Modena still harbour their own ambitions to reach the end of season playoffs, and currently find themselves just five points behind Torino.

Torino will be hopeful that Angelo Ogbonna may return to the starting line up after injury, and Alessandro Sgrigna may get a start after impressing as a substitute against Reggina.