Torino moved to within just one point of leaders Pescara with a 1-0 victory at a snowy Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening.
Toro made just the one change from the side that drew with Varese in similar conditions on Saturday, as Nnamdi Oduamadi was given a rare start on the left wing in place of Alen Stevanovic.
It was the visitors who should of taken the lead in the opening stages but former Toro striker Elvis Abbruscato's shot was straight at Francesco Benussi. At the other end, it was the lively Nnamdi Oduamadi who created the Granata's first chance as he beat two defenders before forcing Alberto Frison to make a good save.
The Nigerian winger continued to be a threat on the left wing, and he could of had a penalty when his shot hit the hand of Alessando Bastrini, but it would have been harsh as the Vicenza defender was looking the other way.
Torino almost made an ideal start to the second half, as within 30 seconds, Riccardo Meggiorini had a great chance to score his first goal for the club. Strike partner Mirco Antenucci broke free on the right and delivered a fantastic cut back for Meggiorini, and from only eight yards out he failed to score as his shot was saved by Frison. Whilst it was a great save by the Vicenza keeper, the on loan striker should have still found the target.
Five minutes after that miss, Meggiorini was replaced by Rolando Bianchi, and the Torino fans gave their captain a great ovation after he turned down a move to Catania to stay at the club. With 25 minutes remaining, Toro finally got their breakthrough as substitute Alessandro Sgrigna found Juan Surraco on the right wing, and his cross was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Denis Tonucci.
The home side had their chances to extend the margin of victory as Alessandro Sgrigna, Rolando Bianchi, Mirco Antenucci and Giuseppe Vives all came close to scoring a second goal. It was Vives' effort - a chip from 20 yards out that was tipped over the bar by Frison, that came closest to finding the target.
Whilst it may not have been the most impressive performance, Torino recorded a much needed victory, and with a number of players who could still come into the team (Pasquato and Guberti), they are in a good position to mount a serious promotion challenge in the remaining seventeen games of the season.
Showing posts with label Vicenza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vicenza. Show all posts
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Torino V Vicenza Preview
Torino will attempt to return to the top of the Serie B table tonight when they face mid-table Vicenza at home on Tuesday evening.
After successive draws against Cittadella and Varese, Torino have fallen to third place and will be eager to get back to winning ways, especially as the two teams above them - Sassuolo and Pescara face difficult away games.
New loan signing Cristian Pasquato is in the squad for the game, but as he only joined the club on Sunday, he is not expected to play any part in the match. Danilo D'Ambrosio is expected to replace Matteo Darmian at right back, whilst Migjen Basha could return to the starting eleven in midfield.
As it is the final day of the January transfer window, there has been specualation regarding two of Torino's strikers, Rolando Bianchi and Giulio Ebagua. Whilst neither player has been in scintillating form this season, it would be a blow if either player left the club, with Bianchi being linked with a move to Catania, and Ebagua being targeted by Brescia.
Vicenza are currently ensconced in mid-table in 14th position, but come into the game in poor form without a victory in their last five matches, although that run does include three draws. Former Torino striker Elvis Abbruscato is the marquee name in the Vicenza squad, and he has impressed this season scoring 13 times.
Prediction
Torino 2-0 Vicenza
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Vicenza 0-1 Torino
Torino earned their third victory of the season after a dramatic last minute winner by captain Rolando Bianchi gave them all three points against Vicenza.
After impressing in Torino's last outing against Varese, Alen Stevanovic and former Vicenza player Alessandro Sgrigna retained their places in the team, whilst captain Rolando Bianchi also started, in place of Giulio Ebagua who had to make do with a place on the bench.
Torino had the first opportunity of the match, with the goal scorers from the last match once again combining to good effect, but Alessandro Sgrigna could only head Alen Stevanovic's cross wide of the goal.
Vicenza also had opportunities in the opening stages, and Toro were thankful to Ferdinando Coppola who made a magnificent save to tip a vicious swerving shot from Alemao onto the bar. From the resulting corner, the home side should have taken the lead, as defender Daniele Martinelli found himself unmarked, but his diving header went over the bar.
Torino almost took the lead in spectacular fashion, when Rolando Bianchi unleashed a curling shot from 25 yards that had the Vicenza goalkeeper beaten, but unfortunately for Toro, it hit bar.
Vicenza had the first chance in a quieter second half, when Gianvito Misuraca had a shot from long range, that Coppola did well to save with his legs after he appeared to lose his footing. Former Toro striker Elvis Abbruscato also went close for the home side but his header went narrowly wide of the target.
Toro coach Giampiero Ventura brought on Mirco Antenucci and Giulio Ebagua as he went in search of a winning goal, and it was Antenucci who played a part in the winning goal.
In the last minute of injury time, Antenucci chipped a hopeful ball into the box that the Vicenza defence failed to deal with, and the ball fell perfectly to Rolando Bianchi, whose half volley found the corner of the net with the last kick of the game.
The result was harsh on Vicenza, who probably deserved a point for their second half performance, but the fact that Toro did not give up and kept fighting for the victory until the last kick of the match was particularly pleasing, and the team showed a togetherness that has not been present in the last couple of seasons.
Forza Torino
After impressing in Torino's last outing against Varese, Alen Stevanovic and former Vicenza player Alessandro Sgrigna retained their places in the team, whilst captain Rolando Bianchi also started, in place of Giulio Ebagua who had to make do with a place on the bench.
Torino had the first opportunity of the match, with the goal scorers from the last match once again combining to good effect, but Alessandro Sgrigna could only head Alen Stevanovic's cross wide of the goal.
Vicenza also had opportunities in the opening stages, and Toro were thankful to Ferdinando Coppola who made a magnificent save to tip a vicious swerving shot from Alemao onto the bar. From the resulting corner, the home side should have taken the lead, as defender Daniele Martinelli found himself unmarked, but his diving header went over the bar.
Torino almost took the lead in spectacular fashion, when Rolando Bianchi unleashed a curling shot from 25 yards that had the Vicenza goalkeeper beaten, but unfortunately for Toro, it hit bar.
Vicenza had the first chance in a quieter second half, when Gianvito Misuraca had a shot from long range, that Coppola did well to save with his legs after he appeared to lose his footing. Former Toro striker Elvis Abbruscato also went close for the home side but his header went narrowly wide of the target.
Toro coach Giampiero Ventura brought on Mirco Antenucci and Giulio Ebagua as he went in search of a winning goal, and it was Antenucci who played a part in the winning goal.
In the last minute of injury time, Antenucci chipped a hopeful ball into the box that the Vicenza defence failed to deal with, and the ball fell perfectly to Rolando Bianchi, whose half volley found the corner of the net with the last kick of the game.
The result was harsh on Vicenza, who probably deserved a point for their second half performance, but the fact that Toro did not give up and kept fighting for the victory until the last kick of the match was particularly pleasing, and the team showed a togetherness that has not been present in the last couple of seasons.
Forza Torino
Monday, 12 September 2011
Vicenza V Torino Preview
After Brescia and Padova both recorded victories at the weekend, Torino will need to win in Vicenza on Monday night to regain their position as joint leaders of Serie B.
After two victories in their opening three matches, Torino have started the season well, and another three points tonight will certainly increase belief that Toro are serious promotion contenders.
Torino's opponents,Vicenza, have had a disappointing start to the season, and only have one point from their opening three matches, so will be looking for their first win of the season.
Polish defender Kamil Glik has returned from international duty, so may return to the centre of defence in place of Valerio Di Cesare, and captain Rolando Bianchi should regain his place in the starting eleven.
Forza Torino
After two victories in their opening three matches, Torino have started the season well, and another three points tonight will certainly increase belief that Toro are serious promotion contenders.
Torino's opponents,Vicenza, have had a disappointing start to the season, and only have one point from their opening three matches, so will be looking for their first win of the season.
Polish defender Kamil Glik has returned from international duty, so may return to the centre of defence in place of Valerio Di Cesare, and captain Rolando Bianchi should regain his place in the starting eleven.
Forza Torino
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Vicenza 1-0 Torino
Torino's promotion hopes were dealt yet another severe blow as they succumbed to another defeat, this time away to Vicenza. This latest defeat was Toro's fourth defeat in their last six games, and it seems the victories against Pescara and Portogruaro may only have been a temporary reprieve from what has been a disappointing second half of the season.
Torino had the first meaningful effort in the game, as captain Rolando Bianchi received the ball outside the area, and unleashed a long range shot that went narrowly over the bar. However, the turning point in the game occurred just before the half hour mark, when Stefano Botta was fouled by Toro goalkeeper David Bassi, to give the home side a penalty. The award of the penalty could perhaps be described as harsh, and the penalty was converted by former Torino striker Elvis Abbruscato to give Vicenza the lead.
Torino had opportunities to equalise in the second half, the best of which fell to Bianchi, who was extremely unlucky to see his fierce volley hit the crossbar.
Torino had the first meaningful effort in the game, as captain Rolando Bianchi received the ball outside the area, and unleashed a long range shot that went narrowly over the bar. However, the turning point in the game occurred just before the half hour mark, when Stefano Botta was fouled by Toro goalkeeper David Bassi, to give the home side a penalty. The award of the penalty could perhaps be described as harsh, and the penalty was converted by former Torino striker Elvis Abbruscato to give Vicenza the lead.
Torino had opportunities to equalise in the second half, the best of which fell to Bianchi, who was extremely unlucky to see his fierce volley hit the crossbar.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Vicenza V Torino Preview
Torino will be eager to get back to winning ways as they face the difficult away journey to Vicenza on Monday evening. The weekends results were kind to Torino, so they know that a victory would put them back into the playoff positions, however a victory for the home side would mean they would join Torino on 41 points.
Toro will be without goalkeeper Rubinho who injured his hamstring in the defeat against Atalanta, and could be out for two weeks, Davide Bassi is expected to replace him. Their are also doubts over Angelo Ogbonna and Alessandro Budel who are both suffering from flu, but will hopefully recover in time for kick off.
Toro will be without goalkeeper Rubinho who injured his hamstring in the defeat against Atalanta, and could be out for two weeks, Davide Bassi is expected to replace him. Their are also doubts over Angelo Ogbonna and Alessandro Budel who are both suffering from flu, but will hopefully recover in time for kick off.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)