Torino secured their Serie A status for next season as they clinched the point needed against already relegated SPAL on Sunday night.
Lecce's defeat against Bologna just before kick off meant that Toro knew a point would be enough to guarantee their survival.
Toro dominated the first half, but struggled to create clear chances, with Simone Zaza dragging his shot wide of the target.
The away side took the lead just before the hour mark in sensational fashion thanks to a left footed curling effort from Simone Verdi which gave debutant goalkeeper Demba Thiam absolutely no chance.
The Granata were then guilty of missing opportunities to double their lead, with both Simone Zaza and Verdi missing good chances. They were punished by these wasted chances as with ten minutes remaining substitute Marco D'Alessandro equalised after Soualiho Meite lost the ball on half way.
However, Moreno Longo was relatively content with the final result as he achieved his aim of keeping Toro in Serie A - although it has certainly not been convincing.
Forza Toro
Showing posts with label SPAL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SPAL. Show all posts
Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Sunday, 26 July 2020
SPAL v Torino Preview
If Lecce fail to beat Bologna earlier in the day, then a point would be enough for the Granata - but Toro should feel confident given their opponents are bottom of the table and have already been relegated.
SPAL have lost their last six fixtures, and were heavily beaten 6-1 at home by Roma in their last match.
However, Torino have lost their last eight away games in the league and were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at home by SPAL back in December.
Prediction
SPAL 1-3 Torino
Saturday, 4 January 2020
Torino 1-2 SPAL
Torino's disappointing and inconsistent season continued with a home defeat against bottom of the table SPAL, as they ended the game with ten men.
As expected, Andrea Belotti returned to the starting eleven and the Granata made a perfect start as Tomas Rincon fired home after only four minutes.
However, the away side were looking dangerous in their search of an equaliser and Alberto Paloschi somehow missed a free header from close range.
Toro came close to doubling their lead, but Etrit Berisha made a great save with his legs to deny Andrea Belotti.
SPAL got the goal they deserved just before half time as Gabriel Strefezza curled home to score his first Serie A goal.
The game turned ten minutes into the second half when Bremer received his second yellow card for a needless challenge.
Despite going down to ten men, Torino's performance did improve and Walter Mazzarri brought on Simone Zaza to try and win the game.
However, with ten minutes remaining, it was SPAL who got the winning goal when Andrea Petagna headed home a right wing cross.
Forza Toro
As expected, Andrea Belotti returned to the starting eleven and the Granata made a perfect start as Tomas Rincon fired home after only four minutes.
However, the away side were looking dangerous in their search of an equaliser and Alberto Paloschi somehow missed a free header from close range.
Toro came close to doubling their lead, but Etrit Berisha made a great save with his legs to deny Andrea Belotti.
SPAL got the goal they deserved just before half time as Gabriel Strefezza curled home to score his first Serie A goal.
The game turned ten minutes into the second half when Bremer received his second yellow card for a needless challenge.
Despite going down to ten men, Torino's performance did improve and Walter Mazzarri brought on Simone Zaza to try and win the game.
However, with ten minutes remaining, it was SPAL who got the winning goal when Andrea Petagna headed home a right wing cross.
Forza Toro
Saturday, 21 December 2019
Torino v SPAL Preview
After the disaster in Verona, Toro will look to get back to winning ways and are boosted by the news that Andrea Belotti should be fit enough to start the game.
SPAL are currently bottom of the league and without an away win all season, so the Granata will be heavy favourites to pick up the victory.
Prediction
Torino 2-0 SPAL
Thursday, 7 February 2019
SPAL 0-0 Torino
Torino once again failed to win consecutive Serie A matches as they could only draw 0-0 with SPAL on Sunday afternoon.
Toro made just one change from the team who beat Inter, as Emiliano Moretti replaced Koffi Djidji in defence.
Andrea Belotti came closest to giving Toro the lead in the first half, but his low drive from long range was tipped round the post by Emiliano Viviano.
At the other end, both Mirco Antenucci and Mohamed Fares had good chances for SPAL but put them over the bar.
In the second half, Armando Izzo almost opened the scoring for the second game in a row, but the defender headed wide of the target.
With twenty five minutes remaining, Torino were reduced to ten men when Nicolas Nkoulou was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Mattia Valoti should have given the home side all three points, but once again a player in blue and white missed the target, and 10 man Torino held on for a point.
Forza Toro
Toro made just one change from the team who beat Inter, as Emiliano Moretti replaced Koffi Djidji in defence.
Andrea Belotti came closest to giving Toro the lead in the first half, but his low drive from long range was tipped round the post by Emiliano Viviano.
At the other end, both Mirco Antenucci and Mohamed Fares had good chances for SPAL but put them over the bar.
In the second half, Armando Izzo almost opened the scoring for the second game in a row, but the defender headed wide of the target.
With twenty five minutes remaining, Torino were reduced to ten men when Nicolas Nkoulou was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Mattia Valoti should have given the home side all three points, but once again a player in blue and white missed the target, and 10 man Torino held on for a point.
Forza Toro
Saturday, 2 February 2019
SPAL v Torino Preview
Torino travel to Ferrara on Sunday afternoon looking for consecutive Serie A victories for only the second time this season.
Koffi Djidji may miss out after picking up a knock in training, although Soualiho Meïte is back in the squad following suspension.
SPAL came back from 2-0 down to beat Parma 3-2 last weekend, their first win since a shock victory at Roma in October. However, they have been difficult to beat at home in recent months, drawing their last five games at the Stadio Paolo Mazza.
Prediction
SPAL 0-1 Torino
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Torino 1-0 SPAL
Torino won their first Serie A game of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory in a rain-affected game against SPAL.
As expected, Ola Aina made his first start for the Granata, whilst Simone Zaza had to make do with a place on the bench once again.
Andrea Belotti had Torino's first chance, but he was denied by former Toro keeper Alfred Gomis at the near post. After seventeen minutes, the match was suspended as the torrential rain in Turin made the pitch virtually unplayable.
As the rain stopped, the match resumed an hour later, and Toro should have found themselves behind when Andrea Petagna found space in the area, but the former Atalanta man curled his shot wide of the target.
Toro took the head in the early stages of the second half, as Roberto Soriano's excellent cross was headed home by Nicolas N'Koulou.
Salvatore Sirigu continued his fine start to the season by saving Mohamed Fares' free kick that had almost managed to evade every player in the box.
Simone Zaza finally made his debut in a Torino shirt, and should have had a first goal, but rushed his shot when well placed.
However, Toro held on for a crucial first victory, and although not a classic performance, given the difficult stop-start nature of the contest, this was perhaps understandable.
Forza Toro
As expected, Ola Aina made his first start for the Granata, whilst Simone Zaza had to make do with a place on the bench once again.
Andrea Belotti had Torino's first chance, but he was denied by former Toro keeper Alfred Gomis at the near post. After seventeen minutes, the match was suspended as the torrential rain in Turin made the pitch virtually unplayable.
As the rain stopped, the match resumed an hour later, and Toro should have found themselves behind when Andrea Petagna found space in the area, but the former Atalanta man curled his shot wide of the target.
Toro took the head in the early stages of the second half, as Roberto Soriano's excellent cross was headed home by Nicolas N'Koulou.
Salvatore Sirigu continued his fine start to the season by saving Mohamed Fares' free kick that had almost managed to evade every player in the box.
Simone Zaza finally made his debut in a Torino shirt, and should have had a first goal, but rushed his shot when well placed.
However, Toro held on for a crucial first victory, and although not a classic performance, given the difficult stop-start nature of the contest, this was perhaps understandable.
Forza Toro
Sunday, 2 September 2018
Torino v SPAL Preview
It has been a busy week for the Granata, with both M'Baye Niang and Adem Ljajic leaving the club on loan.
Daniele Baselli has recovered from injury, so could replace Roberto Soriano in the starting eleven, whilst Ola Aina should make his first start for the club after impressing after replacing the injured Cristian Ansaldi against Inter.
SPAL have made a perfect start to the Serie A so far after narrow victories against Bologna and Parma. The winning goals in both of those games were scored by former Toro players, Jasmin Kurtic and Mirco Antenucci - whilst goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, who has kept two clean sheets, is also a former Granata player.
Prediction
Torino 2-0 SPAL
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Torino 2-1 SPAL
Torino came from a goal behind to beat SPAL and win their first game since April in their last home game of the season.
Emiliano Moretti returned from suspension, whilst Andrea Belotti and Iago Falque both returned to the starting eleven.
Iago Falque had Toro's first chance, but his long range shot was tipped over the bar by former Toro keeper Alfred Gomis.
Against the run of play, the away side took the lead after twenty-two minutes, thanks to Alberto Grassi's low shot from distance.
In the second half, Gomis was continuing to deny his former team as he made excellent saves to deny Andrea Belotti and substitute Alex Berenguer. However, Toro finally got their deserved equaliser with twenty minutes remaining as Berenguer crossed for Belotti to score.
With three minutes remaining, Toro got their winner as Andrea Belotti crossed for Lorenzo De Silvestri who continued his fine goal scoring form to claim all three points.
Forza Toro
Emiliano Moretti returned from suspension, whilst Andrea Belotti and Iago Falque both returned to the starting eleven.
Iago Falque had Toro's first chance, but his long range shot was tipped over the bar by former Toro keeper Alfred Gomis.
Against the run of play, the away side took the lead after twenty-two minutes, thanks to Alberto Grassi's low shot from distance.
In the second half, Gomis was continuing to deny his former team as he made excellent saves to deny Andrea Belotti and substitute Alex Berenguer. However, Toro finally got their deserved equaliser with twenty minutes remaining as Berenguer crossed for Belotti to score.
With three minutes remaining, Toro got their winner as Andrea Belotti crossed for Lorenzo De Silvestri who continued his fine goal scoring form to claim all three points.
Forza Toro
Sunday, 13 May 2018
Torino v SPAL Preview
Genoa's defeat last night means Toro cannot be caught in 10th place, although to improve on that finish, Torino would have to win their two remaining games and hope Sampdoria lose their next two games.
Toro coach Walter Mazzarri is hoping for a positive end to the season to build momentum for the next campaign, so should stick with a strong line up.
SPAL are desperate for points to retain their Serie A status, and despite consecutive victories over already relegated Hellas Verona and Benevento, they are only 2 points clear of the bottom 3.
Prediction
Torino 2-1 SPAL
Tuesday, 26 December 2017
SPAL 2-2 Torino
Torino dropped two points once again as they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw against SPAL on Saturday afternoon.
Lyanco returned to the starting eleven replacing Nicolas Burdisso, whilst M'Baye Niang was preferred to Alex Berenguer in attack.
Toro made the perfect start, and were ahead with less than 30 seconds on the clock, as Cristian Molinaro's long pass was half-volleyed home by Iago Falque.
The Granata doubled their lead with only ten minutes gone, as Falque was quickest to react after Daniele Baselli's goal-bound shot was rebounded into his path.
With only three minutes to half time, the home side pulled a goal back thanks to Federico Viviani's fantastic free kick from twenty-five yards.
With twenty minutes remaining, SPAL were awarded a debatable penalty after VAR review when Lorenzo De Silvestri was adjudged to have tripped Alberto Grassi. Former Torino striker Mirco Antenucci converted the penalty to bring the newly promoted side level.
Toro came within inches to claiming a victory in the dying seconds, but Andrea Belotti saw his header cleared off the line. Therefore, Toro had to make do with a point, as they once again threw away a two goal advantage.
Forza Toro
Saturday, 23 December 2017
SPAL v Torino Preview
Toro have not faced SPAL in a league fixture since 1968, and on that occasion, Giorgio Ferrini and company were unable to find a breakthrough as they drew 0-0.
Adem Ljajic is missing with injury, so M'Baye Niang could return to the starting eleven, whilst Lyanco could also replace Nicolas Burdisso in defence.
Former Toro goalkeeper Alfred Gomis is SPAL's current number one, and he helped them win their last match against Benevento last Sunday. However, that was their first victory since October - although they are unbeaten in their last three home matches.
Prediction
SPAL 1-2 Torino
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