Torino moved back up to the automatic promotion places in the Serie B table after a 3-1 victory against bottom side Nocerina.
Kamil Glik and Danilo D'Ambrosio were given starts in the back four, whilst Alen Stevanovic, Migjen Basha and Rolando Bianchi regained their places in the starting eleven as Toro lined up in a 4-4-2 formation.
Nocerina, who are desperately trying to avoid relegation had an early opportunity to take a shock lead after Francesco Benussi carelessly gave the ball away, but Luigi Castaldo's attempt to lob the ball over the keeper from 40 yards failed as the ball went over the bar.
And with only eight minutes on the clock, the away side were made to pay for that miss as Torino took the lead thanks to Danilo D'Ambrosio's glancing header from Alessandro Parisi's corner. That goal was the first time that Torino have scored in the opening fifteen minutes of a game this season, and it was D'Ambrosio's second goal of the season, as he also scored a headed winning goal against Reggina in November.
Rolando Bianchi, who still hasn't scored since mid-October had a great chance to extend Torino's lead as he was put through by Mirco Antenucci, but the striker's heavy touch meant that it was an easy take for the Nocerina keeper. However, on the half hour mark, Toro did get their second goal as Giuseppe Vives received the ball on the edge of the area, and his low shot from eighteen yards out found the bottom corner of the net.
Two minutes into the second half, and Toro had their third goal as Mirco Antenucci's delightful through ball put Alen Stevanovic through on goal, and the winger finished it well. However, five minutes later, Nocerina showed that the game was far from over as Luigi Castaldo headed home Lorenzo Laverone's cross to give the away side a glimmer of hope. On reflection, the goal was easily avoidable and probably has to go down as a mistake by new keeper Benussi, who came off his line to try and claim the cross, but he failed to get there in time.
Torino could have made the margin of victory more convincing in the last half an hour as Giuseppe Vives had two great chances to add to his goal, but that would have been harsh on Nocerina who kept trying until the final whistle. This result temporarily put Torino top of the table (until Sassuolo's victory this morning) but it does keep them in the automatic promotion places ahead of the big game against Sampdoria next Monday night.
Forza Toro
Showing posts with label Nocerina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nocerina. Show all posts
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Friday, 10 February 2012
Torino V Nocerina Preview
Salvatore Masiello and Cristian Pasquato could make their first appearances for Torino, whilst captain Rolando Bianchi is expected to start, after starting the last couple of games on the bench.
As illustrated by their league position, Nocerina have struggled since being promoted last season and have not won since October when they beat Sampdoria 4-2. However, in their last match they recorded a creditable 1-1 draw against Bari, and if they are to have any chance of surviving the drop, their results will have to improve quickly.
Prediction
Torino 3-1 Nocerina
Sunday, 25 September 2011
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
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
Friday, 23 September 2011
Nocerina V Torino Preview
For the first time since the opening weekend of the season, Torino will be playing on a Saturday as they travel to newly promoted Nocerina in search of a third successive away victory.
Although Monday's 0-0 draw with Brescia did have a number of positives, one slight worry for Torino is the fact they have only scored once in the last two matches, and that was Rolando Bianchi's last second winner against Vicenza in their last away match, so Toro will certainly be eager to create more goalscoring opportunities.
Whilst on paper, a match against a newly promoted side may be seen as an easy game, but coach Giampiero Ventura is fully aware that Nocerina will be tough opposition, as they will still be full of confidence from gaining promotion last season.
As seen with Novara last season, who, after being promoted from Lega Pro 1, had a great season in Serie B, and gained promotion via the playoffs, and are still continuing that momentum in Serie A this season after beating Inter 3-1 in midweek. Now I'm not suggesting that Nocerina may be promotion contenders, but they have made a solid start to the season by gaining 5 points from as many matches.
Giampiero Ventura has already confirmed that Kamil Glik will be given a start in defence in place of Valerio Di Cesare, and Uruguayan winger Juan Surraco may make his first start for Torino in place of Simone Verdi who has a slight injury.
Forza Torino
Although Monday's 0-0 draw with Brescia did have a number of positives, one slight worry for Torino is the fact they have only scored once in the last two matches, and that was Rolando Bianchi's last second winner against Vicenza in their last away match, so Toro will certainly be eager to create more goalscoring opportunities.
Whilst on paper, a match against a newly promoted side may be seen as an easy game, but coach Giampiero Ventura is fully aware that Nocerina will be tough opposition, as they will still be full of confidence from gaining promotion last season.
As seen with Novara last season, who, after being promoted from Lega Pro 1, had a great season in Serie B, and gained promotion via the playoffs, and are still continuing that momentum in Serie A this season after beating Inter 3-1 in midweek. Now I'm not suggesting that Nocerina may be promotion contenders, but they have made a solid start to the season by gaining 5 points from as many matches.
Giampiero Ventura has already confirmed that Kamil Glik will be given a start in defence in place of Valerio Di Cesare, and Uruguayan winger Juan Surraco may make his first start for Torino in place of Simone Verdi who has a slight injury.
Forza Torino
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