If Torino fans were hoping that the appointment of Giuseppe Papadopulo in mid week would lead to a change in fortunes, then for the time being at least, they were mistaken. Torino's home defeat against fellow playoff chasers Livorno was their third consecutive defeat, and their 12th defeat in all this season, meaning they have now lost more games than they have won in the league.
Torino had started brightly in the first game under their new coach, and Rolando Bianchi could have given them the lead after just two minutes, but his header was comfortably saved by Alfonso De Lucia in the Livorno goal. Bianchi's strike partner Mirco Antenucci also came close to giving the home side the lead, as he latched on to a long ball, but saw his shot go just wide of the far post. Livorno also had their chances in a feisty but entertaining first half, but Francesco Tavano somehow failed to hit the target when it seemed easier to score, sadly for Toro however, he would compensate for that miss in the second half.
Livorno took the lead ten minutes into the second half, as former Torino player Ahmed Barusso's long pass found an on running Franceso Tavano who finished calmly. The Torino defence seemed to be distracted by the presence of a Livorno attacker who was in offside position, but their was no debate about whether Tavano was offside when the pass was played, because he clearly was. However there were more complaints regarding the second Livorno goal that came from the penalty spot after Agostino Garofalo was adjudged to have fouled Federico Dionisi in the area. Whilst it looked as though Garofalo had made contact with the ball, Torino were also upset with the fact that in the build up to the move, the linesman had raised his flag, but then looked to have changed his mind and play continued, despite several Torino players seeming to stop when they saw the flag go up.
This defeat has moved Torino down to 11th position in the table, though incredibly just two points from 6th place, which emphasises just how tight the Serie B table is at the moment. Whilst Torino's next two games are both away from home, the fact they are against Frosinone and Ascoli, two teams in the relegation zone may give their fans added hope they may get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Friday, 11 March 2011
Torino V Livorno Preview
Torino will begin their reign under the stewardship of new coach Giuseppe Papadopulo with a home game against Livorno, who are coincidentally managed by former Toro coach Walter Novellino. After two successive defeats, which ultimately cost Franco Lerda his job, Torino will be eager to get back to winning ways and keep their playoff dreams alive. Livorno currently lie just one point and one place behind Toro, so will still believe in their own chances of reaching the top six.
However, Torino will be weary that even if they gain a position in the top six at the end of the season, the playoffs may not be held, because if their is a gap of ten or more points between the teams that finish 3rd and 4th, the 3rd place team would be promoted automatically. Whilst the gap between Novara (currently in 3rd) and Varese (currently 4th) stands at seven points, Toro must hope this gap does not widen, or else, as happened in the 2006-2007, the playoffs would not be held.
Angelo Ogbonna has recovered from flu and is expected to start, whilst Agostino Garafolo is included in the squad and could regain his position at left back.
However, Torino will be weary that even if they gain a position in the top six at the end of the season, the playoffs may not be held, because if their is a gap of ten or more points between the teams that finish 3rd and 4th, the 3rd place team would be promoted automatically. Whilst the gap between Novara (currently in 3rd) and Varese (currently 4th) stands at seven points, Toro must hope this gap does not widen, or else, as happened in the 2006-2007, the playoffs would not be held.
Angelo Ogbonna has recovered from flu and is expected to start, whilst Agostino Garafolo is included in the squad and could regain his position at left back.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Lerda Sacked, Papadopulo Appointed
After weeks of speculation, Torino chairman Urbano Cairo has finally decided to relieve Franco Lerda from his position of Torino manager.
Lerda, who was appointed at the start of the season, did not enjoy a particularly successful start to his career Torino career, as disappointing defeats in his first two league games against Varese and Cittadella did not give Toro the flying start they would have wanted. Whilst Torino's form did improve, especially in the months of November and December, they have underperformed since the winter break, and ultimately, a run of four defeats in the last six games meant Lerda's reign was becoming untenable.
Lerda has been replaced by Giuseppe Papadopulo, who is perhaps best known for his spell in charge of Siena, where he got the small side from Tuscany promoted to Serie A. Papadopulo has also had spells in charge of Lazio, Palermo, Bologna and Lecca, who he got promoted to Serie A in 2008.
The 63 year old will take charge of his first game on the Torino bench on Saturday, at home to Livorno.
Lerda, who was appointed at the start of the season, did not enjoy a particularly successful start to his career Torino career, as disappointing defeats in his first two league games against Varese and Cittadella did not give Toro the flying start they would have wanted. Whilst Torino's form did improve, especially in the months of November and December, they have underperformed since the winter break, and ultimately, a run of four defeats in the last six games meant Lerda's reign was becoming untenable.
Lerda has been replaced by Giuseppe Papadopulo, who is perhaps best known for his spell in charge of Siena, where he got the small side from Tuscany promoted to Serie A. Papadopulo has also had spells in charge of Lazio, Palermo, Bologna and Lecca, who he got promoted to Serie A in 2008.
The 63 year old will take charge of his first game on the Torino bench on Saturday, at home to Livorno.
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.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Torino 1-2 Atalanta
Just as they did when the teams met in October, Atalanta scored an injury time winner to deny Torino a well deserved point.
The defeat was made all the more heartbreaking for Toro because they took the early on in the game, with Mirco Antenucci’s low shot beating Andrea Consigli in the Atalanta goal. However, they could only hold onto the lead for 94 seconds, as Atalanta equalised through Federico Peluso, who volleyed home when Torino failed to clear a corner. Torino came close to regaining the lead as both Alessandro Budel and Claudio Rivalta forced good saves from Consigli.
Denilson Gabionetta came off the bench in the second half to make his debut, and looked bright despite never coming close to scoring. Instead, it was Rolando Bianchi, fresh from scoring his 50th goal for the club at the weekend who should have gave Toro the lead, but his free header went wide of the upright.
Torino were made to pay for their missed chances in the 4th minute of injury time, as Giacomo Bonaventura cut inside on his right foot and unleashed a shot from 20 yards out, that hit the post and spun over the line. Whilst this defeat was a disappointing one, Torino fans can be comforted by the fact that they dominated possession against the team at the top of the table, and deserved at least a point, if not all three, but sadly, you don’t always get what you deserve in football.
The defeat was made all the more heartbreaking for Toro because they took the early on in the game, with Mirco Antenucci’s low shot beating Andrea Consigli in the Atalanta goal. However, they could only hold onto the lead for 94 seconds, as Atalanta equalised through Federico Peluso, who volleyed home when Torino failed to clear a corner. Torino came close to regaining the lead as both Alessandro Budel and Claudio Rivalta forced good saves from Consigli.
Denilson Gabionetta came off the bench in the second half to make his debut, and looked bright despite never coming close to scoring. Instead, it was Rolando Bianchi, fresh from scoring his 50th goal for the club at the weekend who should have gave Toro the lead, but his free header went wide of the upright.
Torino were made to pay for their missed chances in the 4th minute of injury time, as Giacomo Bonaventura cut inside on his right foot and unleashed a shot from 20 yards out, that hit the post and spun over the line. Whilst this defeat was a disappointing one, Torino fans can be comforted by the fact that they dominated possession against the team at the top of the table, and deserved at least a point, if not all three, but sadly, you don’t always get what you deserve in football.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Torino V Atalanta Preview
Torino will be looking for their third consecutive victory as they face top of the table Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico tonight. The game will be an opportunity to assess how far Torino have progressed in the last couple of weeks, and a victory against the men from Bergamo will certainly send a message to the rest of the division that they are credible promotion candidates.
Denilson Gabionetta has been included in the squad for the first time, and could make his debut for the club, whilst Rolando Bianchi is expected to recover from the injury that forced him off against Portogruaro.
Denilson Gabionetta has been included in the squad for the first time, and could make his debut for the club, whilst Rolando Bianchi is expected to recover from the injury that forced him off against Portogruaro.
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