Torino 5-3 Sassuolo

Torino's final 90 minutes of the 2016/17 Serie A season was an entertaining encounter which typified their campaign as a whole as they beat Sassuolo 5-3 at the Stadio Grande Torino.

Toro took the lead with only six minutes on the clock as Lucas Boyé collected the ball on the left wing before beating his man and curling an inch-perfect shot into the far corner to score his first Serie A goal.

However,  Sassuolo were level less than ten minutes later, as despite Joe Hart's excellent save from Stefano Sensi, Gregoire Defrel was on hand to score. That goal would mean that Hart would not end his Toro career with a clean sheet - and that the Granata would fail to keep a clean sheet in the entire second half of the season.

Toro regained the lead when Andrea Belotti's exquisite assist gave Daniele Baselli the freedom of the Stadio Grande Torino to pick his spot and score.

Defrel grabbed his second equaliser of the game when he converted Matteo Politano's inadvertent pass and fired passed Joe Hart. Torino re-gained the lead on the stroke of half time when Lorenzo De Silvestri scored his first goal for the club after finishing a move that he started.

Iago Falque added a fourth for Toro after capitalising on a heavy touch from his own team mate Andrea Belotti which then presented the ball on a plate for the former Roma winger. However, Belotti would have a much deserved goal of his own to celebrate as he fired past Gianluca Pegolo to add a fifth.

Gregoire Defrel was able to complete his hat trick from the penalty spot after substitute Juan Iturbe upended Pol Lirola.

Toro ended what has been a mixed campaign on a high with and entertaining final game which secured a 9th placed finish in Sinisa Mihajlovic's debut season.

Torino v Sassuolo Preview

Torino will conclude their 2016/17  Serie A season with a home fixture against Sassuolo at the Stadio. Grande Torino on Sunday evening.

The Granata will either finish 9th or 10th in Sinisa Mihajlovic's debut season, a campaign which promised much initially,  but an inability to keep clean sheets ruined Toro's hopes of European qualification. In fact, Toro's last clean sheet was actually against Sassuolo back in January.

Adem Ljajic is suspended so Toro may revert back to a 4-3-3 formation, whilst Joe Hart will almost certainly be playing his last game for the club as his loan deal expires at the end of this game.

Sassuolo have won three of their last five games and are looking for a top 10 finish for a second consecutive season.

Prediction
Torino 2-2 Sassuolo

Genoa 2-1 Torino

Torino fell to a second successive Serie A defeat after a 2-1 defeat against lowly Genoa on Sunday afternoon.

The home side started the brighter, as they knew that a victory could secure their Serie A status and took the lead just after the half hour mark when Luca Rigoni turned in a free kick from close range.

Toro were struggling to create chances against their more motivated hosts, who doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half when Giovanni Simeone was on hand to score after Joe Hart parried Darko Lazovic's initial shot.

Toro did get a goal back in the dying minutes when Adem Ljajic's free kick deflected off the wall and into the net - but there was to be no way back for the Granata.

Forza Toro

Genoa v Torino Preview

Torino will travel to Genoa for their last away game of the season on Sunday afternoon looking for redemption after last weekend's embarrassing home defeat.

Sinisa Mihajlovic has said that he demands a reaction from his players following their 5-0 home defeat against Napoli, and the team have been in ritiro in order to prepare for this match.

Andrea Belotti is still in the hunt for the Capocannoniere, but is three goals behind Edin Dzeko who has 28 goals for the campaign.

Genoa are only two points above the relegation zone and are desperate for a victory in order to maintain their Serie A status for next season.

Prediction

Genoa 2-2 Torino

Torino 0-5 Napoli

Torino lost only their second home game of the season as they fell to an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Napoli on Sunday afternoon.

Carlão and Marco Benassi came into the starting eleven to replace the suspended Emiliano Moretti and Afriyie Acquah but made the worst possible start.

After only seven minutes, José Callejón fired the away side into the lead as he slid the ball past Joe Hart from an acute angle.

Toro were struggling to create clear cut chances, but in the early stages of the second half, Lucas Boyé almost scored his first Serie A goal but curled his shot narrowly wide.

The Granata were made to pay for that miss, as Lorenzo Insigne doubled Napoli's lead following Dries Mertens' assist. The Belgian then scored a goal of his own as he beat Joe Hart at his near post with a fierce shot.

Quick fire goals from José Callejón and Piotr Zielinski followed as Torino were dealt a heavy defeat in their penultimate home game of the season.

Forza Toro

Torino v Napoli Preview

Torino will look to recover from the disappointment of conceding late on against Juventus when they host Napoli on Sunday afternoon,

Toro are unbeaten in their last seven matches, but have not won any of their last four home fixtures and are without a clean sheet since January.

The Granata will be without the suspended Emiliano Moretti and Afriyie Acquah so will have to make at least two changes from the side that came so close to beating Juve.

Napoli are competing with Roma to finish 2nd and avoid the dreaded Champions League playoff and are on their own long unbeaten run, and have won 7 of their last 8 away games.

Prediction
Torino 2-2 Napoli

Juventus 1-1 Torino

Torino suffered late Derby Della Mole heartbreak for the third consecutive season as Gonzalo Higuaín scored a 92nd minute equaliser to deny 10 man Toro a famous victory.

Emiliano Moretti partnered Luca Rossettini in the centre of defence, whilst Lucas Boyé was chosen in place of Juan Iturbe.

Juventus had the first chance of the game as Mehdi Benatia headed against the bar, whilst Leonardo Bonucci then blazed over from close range.

Joe Hart then made good saves to deny first Stephan Lichtsteiner, and then Paulo Dybala as Toro went in at the break level.

Seven minutes into the second half, Toro were awarded a free kick around twenty-five yards out when Kwadwo Asamoah handled the ball. Adem Ljajic stepped up and hit an inch perfect free kick into the top corner to give the Granata a shock lead.

However Toro's joy soon turned to dismay five minutes later when midfielder Afriyie Acquah was controversially dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Mario Mandžukić. Replays appeared to show that the Ghanaian midfielder did win the ball, and to make matters worse, Granata coach Siniša Mihajlović was dismissed from the touchline for his protestations.

Tomás Rincón and Sami Khedira both missed good chances for the home side, and just when it looked as though Toro may record a memorable victory, subsititute Higuaín struck.

The Argentine striker collected the ball just outside the area before hitting a fiece half-volley into the bottom corner to break Torino hearts. 

Torino 1-1 Sampdoria

Torimo were held for their fourth consecutive home game as they drew 1-1 with Sampdoria on Saturday night.

Adem Ljajic went close in the early stages but his effort went narrowly wide of the post. However, at the other end, Sampdoria took the lead with only twelve minutes gone as Czech striker Patrik Schick fired home from just outside the area.

Iago Falque and Lucas Boyè both missed good chances for the Granata as they went in at the break behind.  However, with just over ten minutes remaining, substitute Juan Iturbe equalised for Toro after capitalising on a defensive error to score his first goal for the club. 

In the dying seconds, top scorer Andrea Belotti had a great chance to win the game for Torino but he somehow headed over the bar from close range.

Forza Toro

Torino v Sampdoria Preview

Torino will look to end their run of three consecutive home draws when they face Sampdoria at home on Saturday evening.

Carlão should return to the starting eleven in place of Emiliano Moretti, whilst Lucas Boyé may retain his place after impressing in the victory at Chievo.

Sampdoria are currently one place and three points behind Toro in 10th position, but come into the game having lost their last two matches.

Prediction

Torino 2-1 Sampdoria

Chievo 1-3 Torino

Torino have won consecutive away games for the first time this season following an impressive 3-1 victory at Chievo.

Danilo Avelar made his first start of the season at left back, whilst Luca Rossettini and Lucas Boyé also came into the starting eleven.

Boyé looked lively in the opening stages, and his deflected shot forced a good save from former Toro keeper Stefano Sorrentino.

Toro took the lead early in the second half as Adem Ljajic found space and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from just outside the area. The Granata doubled their lead four minutes later when substitute Davide Zappacosta fired home a sensational volley as the home side failed to clear a corner.

However, Torino's long wait for a clean sheet will go on as Chievo pulled a goal back through veteran striker Sergio Pellissier who scored with a clever chipped finish over Joe Hart.

On this occasion, Torino's defensive frailties didn't come back to haunt them as Iago Falque's deflected strike made sure of all three points with fifteen minutes remaining.

Forza Toro

Chievo v Torino Preview

Torino will look to maintain their recent unbeaten record when they travel to Verona to face Chievo on Sunday afternoon.

However, Toro have only won one of their last four matches since last tasting defeat - however that victory did come in their last away game at Cagliari.

Danilo Avelar is included in the squad and could start with Cristian Molinaro injured, whilst youngsters Matteo Rossetti and Manuel De Luca have been called up to the squad with Sasa Lukic and Juan Iturbe unavailable.

Chievo are safely ensconced in mid-table, however their recent form has been poor - losing their last four matches.

Prediction
Chievo 1-2 Torino

Torino 1-1 Crotone

Torino were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Crotone on Saturday afternoon, despite Andrea Belotti scoring once again.

Sinisa Mihajlovic decided to field an attacking 4-2-4 line up, with Maxi Lopez partnering Andrea Belotti up front with Adem Ljajic and Iago Falque on the wings.

However, it was the away side who had the first chance but Lorenzo Crisetig fired narrowly over the bar from long range after Toro failed to clear their lines.

At the other end, Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz was in fine form as he made great stops from close range to deny both Belotti and Lopez, and also tipped a long range Adem Ljajic effort over the bar.

Cordaz continued to frustrate Toro, this time making excellent reflex saves from Davide Zappacosta and then Iago Falque.

With twenty-five minutes remaining the Granata were awarded a penalty when Federico Ceccherini fouled Andrea Belotti in the area. Despite missing from the spot on three occasions already this season, Belotti stepped up to take the spot kick and the outstanding Cordaz was finally beaten.

However, with ten minutes remaining Crotone scored a shock equaliser as Joe Hart failed to deal with a deep cross and Andrea Nalini headed the ball back across goal for Simy to score.

In injury time, Andrea Belotti almost turned provider for Lucas Boyé, but the Argentine was denied by an excellent challenge from Nalini to earn a much needed point for Crotone.

Forza Toro

Torino v Crotone Preview

After two consecutive 2-2 draws at the Stadio Grande Torino, Toro will hope to claim all three points when they welcome relegation threatened Crotone on Saturday afternoon.

Carlão should retain his position in the centre of defence after an impressive debut against Cagliari last week, whilst Marco Benassi could replace the suspended Afriyie Acquah,

After winning back-to-back games, including an impressive win over Inter last weekend Crotone are now just three points away from 17th placed Empoli. However, they have only won one away game all season so Toro will go into this game as heavy favourites.

Prediction

Torino 3-1 Crotone

Cagliari 2-3 Torino

Torino recorded their first away win since November as they came from behind to beat Cagliari on Sunday afternoon.

Brazilian defender Carlão made his debut at centre back, whilst Toro lined up in a new 4-2-3-1 formation with Adem Ljajic moved into a more central role.

With less than twenty minutes gone on the clock, the Granata conceded a penalty when Carlão was adjudged to have pulled back Artur Ionita in the area, and Marco Borriello stepped up to convert.

However, Toro soon equalised as nice interplay between Andrea Belotti and Adem Ljajic resulted in the Serbian scoring an exquisite strike from distance. Torino then took the lead six minutes later when Davide Zappacosta's cross was headed home by Andrea Belotti - his 24th league goal of an incredible campaign.

Torino extended their lead in the early stages of the second half, as Ghanaian midfielder Afriyie Acquah once again scored a great goal from outside the area after receiving a pass from Iago Falque.

Cagliari scored a second goal in injury time to give Toro a nervous few moments as Kwang Song Han became the first North Korean to score in Serie A as he headed home Diego Farias' cross, but Torino held on for all three points.

Forza Toro

Cagliari v Torino Preview

Torino will look to earn their first away win since November when they face Cagliari on Sunday afternoon.

Luca Rossettini is suspended, so Arlind Ajeti or Carlão could make a rare start to partner Emiliano Moretti in central defence.

Cagliari are one of the few teams to have conceded more goals than Torino this season (59) but despite their troubles at the back. they are well clear of the bottom three.

However, they have only won one of their last five home matches so Toro shouldn't be too apprehensive ahead of their trip to Sardinia.

Prediction
Cagliari 1-2 Torino

Torino 2-2 Udinese

Torino fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point at the Stadio Grande Torino against Udinese on Sunday.

David Zappacosta came close to giving Toro an early lead, but his long range shot whistled narrowly past the post. At the other end, Duvan Zupata somehow managed to miss from Stipe Perica's cross when it seemed easier to score.

Andrea Belotti and Luca Rossettini both hit the woodwork with headers just before the break as an entertaining half somehow ended goalless.

However, five minutes into the second half, Czech midfielder Jakub Jankto intercepted Emiliano Moretti's pass before firing a fierce left footed shot into the top corner.

Belotti hit the bar for a second time before the Granata were caught on the counter attack and Perica doubled Udinese's lead from close range. However, two minutes later, Toro were given a lifeline when Emiliano Moretti reacted quickest to swivel and score.

The comeback was complete when Andrea Belotti headed home Zappacosta's excellent cross to equalise with seven minutes remaining an earn Toro a deserved point.

Forza Toro

Torino 2-2 Inter

Torino earned a deserved point in an entertaining 2-2 draw with in-form Inter on Saturday evening, although two Joe Hart errors proved costly.

Juan Iturbe was once again preferred to Iago Falque, whist Cristian Molinaro started in place of Antonio Barreca and Afriyie Acquah was given a rare start in midfield.

The away side took the lead mid-way through the first half as Joe Hart let a low shot from Geoffrey Kondogbia squirm past his right arm. However, Toro were level six minutes later when Adem Ljajic's corner was flicked on by Emiliano Moretti and Daniele Baselli headed in from five yards out.

Toro took the lead on the hour mark as a flowing counter attack was finished off by Afriyie Acquah whose sublime shot found the far corner. However, Inter would equalise moments later as Joe Hart failed to claim a cross and that allowed Antonio Candreva to volley home.

Ivan Perisic missed an excellent chance to claim all three points for the visitors in the dying seconds, but he blazed his volley over the bar. Therefore, both teams had to settle for a point which was probably a fair result as neither side deserved to be on the end of a defeat.

Forza Toro

Torino v Inter Preview

Torino will look for a third consecutive victory at the Stadio Grande Torino when they face Inter on Saturday evening.

Leandro Castan could return to the starting eleven to try and help a Toro defence that has not kept a clean sheet since January, whilst Iago Falque will also be pushing for a recall.

Opponents Inter are in excellent form and have won four of their last five games, including a sensational 7-1 victory over Atalanta last time out.

Prediction
Torino 1-2 Inter

Lazio 3-1 Torino

Torino's poor away record continued on Monday evening as they conceded two late goals to lose 3-1 against Lazio.

The home side dominated the first half, with former Toro striker Ciro Immobile going closest but he was denied by Joe Hart.

Sinisa Mihajlovic made a rare defensive change to begin the second half, with Cristian Molinaro returning from injury to replace Daniele Baselli as the Granata changed to a more conservative formation. However, Lazio would take the lead just before the hour mark as Immobile capitalised on Emiliano Moretti's failure to clear a low cross.

Maxi Lopez came on with Torino looking to force an equaliser, and the Argentine striker provided it after being on the pitch for less than ten minutes as he headed home Juan Iturbe's free kick.

Torino were looking a threat on the counter attack, but with less than five minutes remaining, substitute Keita Baldé gave Lazio the lead thanks to an outstanding long range effort.

Felipe Anderson added a third goal in injury time with Torino chasing an equaliser, as the Granata's poor away form continued.

Forza Toro

Lazio v Torino Preview

Torino will look to improve their horrendous away record when they travel to the capital to face Lazio on Monday night.

Toro have only won two away games all season - both against teams in the bottom three, Palermo and Crotone. Torino have not kept a clean sheet since January 8th, which could mean fit again Brazilian defenders Carlão and Leandro Castan could feature.

Lazio are still in the race for a Champions League spot and have won four of their last five Serie A games, with former Toro striker Ciro Immobile scoring in his last three appearances.

Prediction
Lazio 2-1 Torino