Torino 1-0 Bologna

Torino finally secured their second home win of the season with a deserved 1-0 victory over Bologna on Sunday afternoon.

Giuseppe Vives was once again preferred to Mario Santana in midfield, as his inclusion enabled the Granata to switch to a 4-3-3 when out of possession. Gianluca Sansone was also rewarded for his injury time equaliser against Napoli, as he partnered Rolando Bianchi upfront.

The away side had the first opportunity of the game, but former West Ham player Alessandro Diamanti saw his shot go wide of the post. Alessio Cerci was causing the Bologna defence a number of problems, and his left footed cross picked out Gianluca Sansone who back-heeled the ball towards goal, but was denied by Federico Agliardi. 

Sansone was continuing to impress upfront, and a nice one-two with Rolando Bianchi put the Torino captain through on goal, but he blazed his shot over the bar. Giampiero Ventura made an attacking switch at half time as Giuseppe Vives was replaced by Mario Santana, but it was Gianluca Sansone who once again came closest to opening the scoring - this time from a 30 yard free kick that was turned over the bar by Agliardi.

And the Granata finally took a deserved lead from the resulting corner, as Santana's deep cross was headed in by Danilo D'Ambrosio, who had been given the captain's armband only minutes before following Rolando Bianchi's substitution.

Alessandro Diamanti continued to be a threat for the away side, and once again he tried his luck from distance, but thankfully for Torino his shot went narrowly wide. Torino almost doubled their lead in extraordinary fashion in the closing stages, but substitute Riccardo Meggiorini saw his 30 yard dipping volley saved by Agliardi.

Toro held on for only their third victory of the season, and with tough games against Roma, Fiorentina, Juventus and Milan on the horizon, this was certainly a crucial three points.

Forza Torino

Torino V Bologna Preview

Torino will be looking to end their miserable home record when they face struggling Bologna on Sunday afternoon.

The Granata have lost their last two home matches, and have not won at the Stadio Olimpico since beating Pescara on September 1st. However, Angelo Ogbonna is back in contention after recovering from injury, although Giampiero Ventura may choose not to risk the defender because he has not played at all in over a month.

After impressing in the draw against Napoli, Mario Santana and Gianluca Sansone could be rewarded with starting positions - whilst Rolando Bianchi will be looking to end his mini goal drought which has now stretched to five matches.

Bologna have also struggled to win in recent weeks, although they did end a run of four consecutive defeats with a draw against Udinese last time out. The rossoblù are currently in the relegation zone, but with players of the quality of Alessandro Diamanti and Alberto Gilardino in their ranks, they will back themselves to get out of trouble before the end of the season.

Prediction
Torino 2-1 Bologna

Napoli 1-1 Torino

Football really can be a strange game, as Gianluca Sansone - the villain after being sent off last weekend against Parma, scored an injury time equaliser to earn Torino a deserved point at the San Paulo on Sunday afternoon.

Toro only made two changes from the side that earned a creditable 1-1 draw at Lazio on Wednesday as Migjen Basha and Giuseppe Vives replaced Matteo Brighi and Mario Santana.

However, the Granata made the worst possible start and were behind after only six minutes when the returning Edinson Cavani gave the home side the lead. The Toro defence switched off as Hugo Campagnaro's long throw found an unmarked Marek Hamsik, and his shot was parried straight to the Uruguayan striker by the usually reliable Jean-Francois Gillet.

Toro reacted well after going behind, and came very close to scoring an equaliser ten minutes later as Alessio Cerci's cross found Rolando Bianchi, but his bullet header was well saved by Napoli keeper Morgan De Sanctis. Napoli could have doubled their lead when Goran Pandev's long range shot was deflected by Kamil Glik, but luckily for Toro, the ball went wide of the post.

On the stroke of half time, Alessandro Gazzi made a crucial last-ditch tackle to prevent former Torino player Blerim Dzemaili shooting from long range, however he was injured whilst making the challenge and had to be replaced by Matteo Brighi at the break.

With Napoli aware of Torino's counter attacking threat, they allowed Torino to dominate possession, and this looked to be a dangerous tactic as the Granata grew in confidence. A quickly taken free kick from Giuseppe Vives almost gave Alessandro Sgrigna a chance to equalise, but the experienced striker failed to make contact with the ball. 

The away side continued to create half-chances, but when Alessio Cerci blazed over the bar and substitute Mario Santana's long range shot was straight at De Sanctis, it looked as though they wouldn't get the point their second half play had merited.

And Napoli should have put the result beyond any doubt moments later when Lorenzo Insigne robbed the ball from Matteo Darmian and put Marek Hamsik through on goal, but after rounding Gillet, the Slovakian midfielder could only hit the post from a difficult angle.

And then in injury time, Napoli were punished for that miss as a dreadful back pass from substitute Salvatore Aronica put Gianluca Sansone through on goal - and he was able to round De Sanctis and calmly pass the ball into the net to earn Toro a deserved point.

This impressive result increased Torino's unbeaten record away from home to six matches, but after losing their last two home matches - Torino will hope to improve their form at the Stadio Olimpico, starting next Sunday against Bologna.

Napoli V Torino Preview

Torino will travel to Naples on Sunday afternoon looking to continue their fine away form, despite the fact they didn't win a game in the whole month of October.

The Granata have won one and drew four of their five away games this season, although the trip to the Stadio San Paulo promises to be a tough one, as Napoli have won all five of their home games this season.

Angelo Ogbonna could be on the bench for this game but is not expected to start, so Kamil Glik and the impressive Guillermo Rodriguez should keep their places in defence. Rolando Bianchi should also keep his place upfront, despite the fact that the striker (who has been linked with a move to Napoli) has not scored since scoring his 70th goal for the club against Atalanta back in September.

Napoli had made an impressive start to the season, and looked to be serious scudetto challengers, but they have now lost successive away games against Juventus and Atalanta and have moved down to third place. However, it is at home where they have really impressed - and with Edinson Cavani expected to recover from injury for this game, the Torino defence will have to wary of the Uruguayan striker.

Prediction
Napoli 3-1 Torino

Lazio 1-1 Torino

Torino's unbeaten run away from home stretched to five matches as they picked up a creditable 1-1 draw at Lazio on Wednesday night.

As expected, Rolando Bianchi and Alessio Cerci both came into the starting eleven after being rested against Parma, whilst Mario Santana came into the team after recovering from injury.

After the disappointing loss at home to Parma at the weekend, the Granata were keen to make a bright start, and they did exactly that by taking the lead within ten minutes. Alessandro Sgrigna's corner was exquisitely headed in by Kamil Glik, as the Polish international scored his first league goal of the season.

After recovering from the shock of going behind, the home side reacted well - as both Antonio Candreva and then Stefano Mauri drilled shots wide of the post. Former Juventus midfielder Candreva once again came close to equalising as he evaded Alessandro Gazzi, but his near post shot was tipped over by Jean-Francois Gillet.

On the stroke of half time, Torino almost doubled their lead as a swift counter-attack orchestrated by Danilo D'Ambrosio's interception put Alessio Cerci through on goal, however the ball got caught under his feet and his shot was twice blocked by the Lazio defence.

Toro started the second half well, and should have doubled their lead when Alessandro Sgrigna's cross found an unmarked Mario Santana, but the Argentinean's tame header was easily saved by Albano Bizzarri. However, just before the hour mark, the Granata were punished for not taking their chances as the home side finally scored an equaliser.

The outstanding Stefano Mauri received Candreva's pass, then took a touch before delivering a fierce left footed shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards out. The Biancocelesti almost took the lead moments later as Tommaso Rocchi beat the offside trap, but after doing the hard part of taking the ball around Gillet, his shot hit the side netting.

Once again Lazio skipper Rocchi came close to scoring a undeserved winner for the home side, but this time he was denied by an outstanding block from Uruguayan defender Guillermo Rodriguez, who was doing a fine job of deputising for the injured Angelo Ogbonna.

In the end, Torino held on for a deserved point although they may even be slightly disappointed not take all three. With another tough away game on Sunday against Napoli, the Granata will certainly be satisfied if their unbeaten away record continues until next week.

Forza Torino

Lazio V Torino Preview

Torino will look to end a run of three matches without a victory as they travel to Rome to face Lazio on Wednesday night.

The Granata will once again be without Angelo Ogbonna who is not yet ready to play 90 minutes, whilst experienced midfielder Giuseppe Vives will also miss out. However, Mario Santana has recovered from his injury and will return to the squad, whilst fellow winger Valter Birsa could start after making a brief substitute appearance against Parma.

Lazio have made a bright start to the season and are currently in 4th place, despite losing 2-0 at Fiorentina on Sunday. Coach Vladimir Petkovic will be forced into making a number of changes from that match, as both Cristian Ledesma and Hernanes are injured, whilst Ederson and former Torino primavera goalkeeper Federico Marchetti are both injured.

Whilst Torino are desperate for three points, their record against Lazio is not a particular good one - with just four victories in the last twenty years. Toro's last victory against the Biancocelesti was in January 2002, with Cristiano Lucarelli scoring the only goal.

Prediction
Lazio 2-1 Torino

Torino 1-3 Parma

Torino's poor home form continued as they were defeated 3-1 by Parma on Sunday afternoon, although they were forced to play most of the second half with ten men after Gianluca Sansone's controversial red card.

Matteo Darmian and Kamil Glik returned to the Toro defence, although Giampiero Ventura surprised many by leaving both Rolando Bianchi and Alessio Cerci on the bench. Gianluca Sansone was given a rare start, whilst Riccardo Meggiorini was given the central striker role.

And those changes looked as though they may finally solve Torino's home goalscoring problems in the early stages, as the Granata created three great chances in the opening ten minutes. Firstly a great through ball by Alen Stevanovic put full back Matteo Darmian through on goal, but his left footed shot hit the side netting.

Two minutes later, an ambitious volley from Riccardo Meggiorini almost caught out Parma's second choice keeper Nicola Pavarini, but the veteran reacted well to deny the former Bari striker. Torino should have taken the lead via Gianluca Sansone, but he somehow headed Stevanovic's cross over the bar.

After surviving the initial Granata onslaught, Parma came back into the game and former Juventus striker Amauri somehow blazed over the bar after excellent play by Jonathan Biabiany.

Toro began the second half in similar fashion to which they started the first, and once again Gianluca Sansone came close to opening his account for the club, but he was denied by Pavarini. However, the match turned on the 53rd minute when Torino were reduced to ten men after the lively Sansone received a second yellow card for simulation.

Whilst Gabriel Paletta's challenge on the former Sassuolo striker was probably not worthy of a penalty, there was certainly contact between the two players.Therefore the decision to send Sansone off (who didn't even appeal for a spot kick) was an extremely harsh decision by referee Piero Giacomelli.

Torino's ten men held out for twenty minutes, but Parma finally got the breakthrough after substitute Nicola Sansone (no relation) fired a fierce left footed shot past Jean-Francois Gillet. And with Toro still recovering from that goal, Parma doubled their lead one minute later when Amauri headed home an inch-perfect cross from Marco Marchionni.

The away side still had time to score a third goal as some hesitant defending from the normally reliable Matteo Darmian allowed Biabiany to cross for Aleandro Rosi to tap home from close range. With the last kick of the game, Torino did get a consolation goal as substitutes Alessio Cerci and Migen Basha combined to allow the latter to volley home from six yards - Toro's first goal at the Stadio Olimpico for 388 minutes.

This result was certainly a disappointment as Torino's poor home form continues, but the match was undoubtedly changed by the referee's controversial decision to dismiss Gianluca Sansone with the score at 0-0. With two difficult away games on the horizon (against Lazio and Napoli) the Granata could find themselves in the relegation zone this time next week, almost unthinkable after their bright start.

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