After disappointing results against Hellas Verona and Juve Stabia, Torino bounced back in scintillating fashion with a 6-0 thrashing of lowly Gubbio.
Stefano Guberti was given his first start since being injured in September, whilst Rolando Bianchi was preferred to Alessandro Sgrigna upfront.
It was Bianchi who had Torino's first chance of the match, after a long ball from the back but him through on goal, but his shot went just wide of the post. Stefano Guberti also came close to scoring a spectacular goal on his return, but his curling shot was tipped over the bar by Antonio Donnarumma.
The away side came close to taking the lead against the run of play, but Mattia Graffiedi's volley was easily saved by Francesco Benussi. And five minutes before Half Time, it was Toro who finally got the breakthrough when Juan Surraco's through ball found Bianchi who powered through the defence, and although his initial shot hit the post, he reacted quickest to put the ball into an empty net.
Less than a minute into the second half, Torino doubled their lead as Stefano Guberti showed the home fans what they had been missing when his sublime cross was turned into the net by Mirco Antenucci. Guberti was replaced by Alessandro Sgrigna soon after that assist, and his return is certainly a massive boost for Torino's promotion challenge.
And with 25 minutes remaining, Torino added a third goal as Juan Surraco got his first goal for the club with a low shot from the edge of the area. The fourth goal arrived just three minutes later, and Bianchi got his second goal of the match with a stunning half volley from Sgrigna's pass.
With a quarter of an hour left, Cristian Pasquato came off the bench to make his long-awaited Toro debut after arriving on loan from rivals Juventus, and his impact was immediate. Alessando Sgrigna's shot from inside the area was parried by Donnarumma, but Pasquato was on hand to score Torino's fifth goal of the afternoon.
There was still time for another goal, as with ten minutes remaining Pasquato turned provided as his deft header put Antenucci through on goal, and he finished well to get his second goal of the match.
After receiving much criticism for their performances against Hellas and Juve Stabia, this performance emphasised that reports of Torino's demise had been greatly exaggerated and that they were still promotion contenders. With both Pescara and Hellas Verona suffering defeats, this victory puts Torino four points clear at the top of the table.
Forza Torino
Showing posts with label Stefano Guberti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stefano Guberti. Show all posts
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Friday, 23 March 2012
Torino V Gubbio Preview
Manuel Iori should return to the starting eleven after being rested against Juve Stabia last Saturday, whilst Stefano Guberti will be pushing for a start after recovering from the injury he suffered in September. Cristian Pasquato is also included in the squad and could make his long-awaited debut after his loan move from Juventus.
Gubbio have been in a relegation battle for much of the season since their surprise promotion last season, but it should be remembered that it was the Umbrian side who inflicted Torino's first defeat of the season in the reverse fixture in October.
Prediction
Torino 2-0 Gubbio
Friday, 16 March 2012
Juve Stabia V Torino Preview
After their surprise defeat at home to Hellas Verona on Monday, Torino have the chance to make amends against Juve Stabia on Saturday afternoon. It is has been a strange week for Toro, because despite that defeat they have moved to the top of the Serie B table after their defeat against Padova was overturned and the Granata were awarded a 3-0 victory.
As you may remember from December, Torino's match against Padova was abandoned because of floodlight failure after 76 minutes with the home side 1-0 ahead . However, despite the remainder of the match being replayed eleven days afterwards, it has now been decided that result was void and Torino have been awarded the points. With many Torino fans agreeing that this may be the incorrect the decision, we can expect this saga to continue as Padova are expected to appeal.
However, now that is out of the way, its time to focus on the football on the pitch, and Torino will make at least two changes for their visit to Juve Stabia. Valerio Di Cesare and Manuel Iori have not made the trip, and are expected to be replaced by Kamil Glik and Migjen Basha. Stefano Guberti has once again been included in the squad following injury, and he could make his first appearance since September's victory against Vicenza.
Torino's opponents Juve Stabia have done well since being promoted last season and are currently in mid table, but will need to secure some more points in order to ensure they are not dragged into a relegation battle. Much of their success has been built on their good home form, as of their eleven victories, eight have came at the Stadio Romeo Menti. Striker Marco Sau has scored 15 goals this season, so a Torino defence fresh form conceding four goals on Monday will have to be wary.
Prediction
Juve Stabia 1-2 Torino
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Torino 0-0 Brescia
Torino maintained their unbeaten start to the season, but were unable to find a goal as they were held to a scoreless draw against Brescia.
Giampiero Ventura made a couple of changes to the team that beat Vicenza in the last match, with Simone Verdi coming in to replace the injured Stefano Guberti, and Giulio Ebagua replacing Alessandro Sgrigna in attack.
It was Brescia who had the first chance of the match, when Fabio Daprela broke down the left, and his cross found Omar El Kaddouri, who was unlucky to see his volley rebound off the post. Torino had a good chance to opening themselves after Manuel Iori's free kick found Rolando Bianchi, but his header went well wide.
On the stoke of half time, Brescia had arguably the best chance of the half, but El Kaddouri scuffed his shot when well placed, and then former Torino midfielder Alessandro Budel had a shot from distance that went wide.
Toro had the first chance in the second half, as winger Alen Stevanovic drove into the box and unleashed a powerful low shot that was just inches away from the target. Giulio Ebagua also came close for Torino as he was eager to stake his claim for a regular starting birth, but his long range shot was also off target.
In the closing stages, Torino almost stole the three points once again after Alessandro Parisi's volley was almost diverted into the net by substitute Alessandro Sgrigna, but unfortunately for Toro, like so many chances beforehand, it went wide.
In the end, a draw was probably a fair result, and Brescia would probably be the happier of the two sides, as they seemed to be content with a point for the duration of the second half. However Toro should not be too disappointed, as Brescia are one of the better sides in the division, and it means Torino remain unbeaten, and have had clean sheets in their last three matches.
Forza Torino
Giampiero Ventura made a couple of changes to the team that beat Vicenza in the last match, with Simone Verdi coming in to replace the injured Stefano Guberti, and Giulio Ebagua replacing Alessandro Sgrigna in attack.
It was Brescia who had the first chance of the match, when Fabio Daprela broke down the left, and his cross found Omar El Kaddouri, who was unlucky to see his volley rebound off the post. Torino had a good chance to opening themselves after Manuel Iori's free kick found Rolando Bianchi, but his header went well wide.
On the stoke of half time, Brescia had arguably the best chance of the half, but El Kaddouri scuffed his shot when well placed, and then former Torino midfielder Alessandro Budel had a shot from distance that went wide.
Toro had the first chance in the second half, as winger Alen Stevanovic drove into the box and unleashed a powerful low shot that was just inches away from the target. Giulio Ebagua also came close for Torino as he was eager to stake his claim for a regular starting birth, but his long range shot was also off target.
In the closing stages, Torino almost stole the three points once again after Alessandro Parisi's volley was almost diverted into the net by substitute Alessandro Sgrigna, but unfortunately for Toro, like so many chances beforehand, it went wide.
In the end, a draw was probably a fair result, and Brescia would probably be the happier of the two sides, as they seemed to be content with a point for the duration of the second half. However Toro should not be too disappointed, as Brescia are one of the better sides in the division, and it means Torino remain unbeaten, and have had clean sheets in their last three matches.
Forza Torino
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Ascoli 1-2 Torino
Giampiero Ventura had the ideal start to his reign as Torino coach, as Toro came from behind to beat Ascoli 2-1 in their opening Serie B game of the season.
It took just three minutes for the first controversial moment of the season to occur, as new signing Simone Verdi went down the right hand side and his cross found Rolando Bianchi whose shot looked to have crossed the line. Despite claims by Bianchi and his teammates that the whole of the ball did cross the line, the referee did not give the goal, and play continued.
Torino were further incensed when just one minute later, Ascoli went up the other end and scored the opening goal of the match. The goal came from a corner, as happened so many times last season, and indecision from keeper Ferdinando Coppola and Kamil Glik allowed Sinisa Andjelkovic to head home.
Torino reacted positively to going behind, and Rolando Bianchi had a great chance to equalise after Migjen Basha's fantastic through ball, but Bianchi's shot went wide of the post. Torino had the opening chance of the second half, as Giulio Ebagua could only divert Alessandro Parisi cross narrowly wide.
Giampiero Ventura made his first substitution of the match, and it was a brave one as well, taking off experienced winger Stefano Guberti to bring on youngster Nnamdi Oduamadi who is on loan from AC Milan. However, it was another man signed from AC Milan in the summer, Simone Verdi, who got Torino back into the match, as he won his new team a penalty.
After nice footwork in the area, the impressive Verdi was clearly fouled by Ascoli defender Alex Pederzoli and it was Captain Rolando Bianchi who converted the penalty to equalise. Torino almost took the lead moments later, when Simone Verdi came close to scoring with a free kick from 25 yards, but it was well saved by Ascoli goalkeeper Enrico Guarna.
Torino were helped in their quest to gain all three points when Ascoli were reduced to ten men, as substitute Marcello Gazzola was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. And with just three minutes remaining, Torino got the winning goal that they deserved, after Rolando Bianchi's neat back heel sent substitute Oduamadi through on goal, and he finished calmly into the corner of the net to give Torino a victory.
With the transfer window closing on Wednesday, there is now not long to wait until we will know whether Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi will be staying at the club for the foreseeable future. This hard fought victory in the opening game is the ideal start for Torino in their challenge for promotion, and will be looking for a similar result when they face Cittadella in their first home game on Wednesday night.
Forza Torino
It took just three minutes for the first controversial moment of the season to occur, as new signing Simone Verdi went down the right hand side and his cross found Rolando Bianchi whose shot looked to have crossed the line. Despite claims by Bianchi and his teammates that the whole of the ball did cross the line, the referee did not give the goal, and play continued.
Torino were further incensed when just one minute later, Ascoli went up the other end and scored the opening goal of the match. The goal came from a corner, as happened so many times last season, and indecision from keeper Ferdinando Coppola and Kamil Glik allowed Sinisa Andjelkovic to head home.
Torino reacted positively to going behind, and Rolando Bianchi had a great chance to equalise after Migjen Basha's fantastic through ball, but Bianchi's shot went wide of the post. Torino had the opening chance of the second half, as Giulio Ebagua could only divert Alessandro Parisi cross narrowly wide.
Giampiero Ventura made his first substitution of the match, and it was a brave one as well, taking off experienced winger Stefano Guberti to bring on youngster Nnamdi Oduamadi who is on loan from AC Milan. However, it was another man signed from AC Milan in the summer, Simone Verdi, who got Torino back into the match, as he won his new team a penalty.
After nice footwork in the area, the impressive Verdi was clearly fouled by Ascoli defender Alex Pederzoli and it was Captain Rolando Bianchi who converted the penalty to equalise. Torino almost took the lead moments later, when Simone Verdi came close to scoring with a free kick from 25 yards, but it was well saved by Ascoli goalkeeper Enrico Guarna.
Torino were helped in their quest to gain all three points when Ascoli were reduced to ten men, as substitute Marcello Gazzola was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. And with just three minutes remaining, Torino got the winning goal that they deserved, after Rolando Bianchi's neat back heel sent substitute Oduamadi through on goal, and he finished calmly into the corner of the net to give Torino a victory.
With the transfer window closing on Wednesday, there is now not long to wait until we will know whether Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi will be staying at the club for the foreseeable future. This hard fought victory in the opening game is the ideal start for Torino in their challenge for promotion, and will be looking for a similar result when they face Cittadella in their first home game on Wednesday night.
Forza Torino
Friday, 15 July 2011
Torino sign Stefano Guberti
It is only the middle of July but Torino have already made ten signings this summer, with Roma winger Stefano Guberti becoming the latest to join the club.
Because of Giampiero Ventura's chosen formation (a 4-4-2, that can become a 4-2-4) attacking wingers are vital in order for this system to be effective, and the coach had earmarked Guberti as a potential signing, and has now got his wish.
Guberti spent last season on loan at Sampdoria, and scored five goals but was unable to help them avoid relegation from the top division. However, for a player who did impress on occasion in Serie A, Guberti should be able to excel in a lower division and in a team that will suit his style of play.
Whilst Guberti has signed for Torino on an initial loan deal, Toro will have the option to sign him on a co-ownership deal at the end of the season.
Although it is always dangerous to judge the quality of a player on the basis of a Youtube compilation, this video will allow you to see him in action.
Because of Giampiero Ventura's chosen formation (a 4-4-2, that can become a 4-2-4) attacking wingers are vital in order for this system to be effective, and the coach had earmarked Guberti as a potential signing, and has now got his wish.
Guberti spent last season on loan at Sampdoria, and scored five goals but was unable to help them avoid relegation from the top division. However, for a player who did impress on occasion in Serie A, Guberti should be able to excel in a lower division and in a team that will suit his style of play.
Whilst Guberti has signed for Torino on an initial loan deal, Toro will have the option to sign him on a co-ownership deal at the end of the season.
Although it is always dangerous to judge the quality of a player on the basis of a Youtube compilation, this video will allow you to see him in action.
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