Cagliari 2-1 Torino

For the second consecutive season, an injury time winner from Daniele Conti denied Torino a deserved point against Cagliari.

Giampiero Ventura surprisingly left club captain Kamil Glik on the bench, as Toro lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Cesare Bovo and Emiliano Moretti as the two centre backs. Striker Ciro Immobile also returned to the starting eleven, as did Matteo Brighi.

Torino had a number of chances to take the lead in the first half, with Alessio Cerci forcing Vlad Avramov into a couple of saves. However, on the stroke of half time it was the home side who took the lead via Daniele Conti's free kick. After dominating the opening period the Granata were disappointed to concede a goal in that fashion, and both the Torino wall and Daniele Padelli will feel they could have done more to prevent it.

However, seven minutes into the second half Ciro Immobile scored a deserved equaliser for Torino, as he expertly controlled Omar El Kaddouri's through ball before sliding the ball into the bottom corner. Immobile almost gave Toro the lead in sensational fashion moment later, however his speculative volley flew over the bar.

And with only one minute of normal time remaining, Daniele Conti struck with a set piece once again, as he fired the ball past Padelli for the second time, this time having been set up by substitute Andrea Cossu.

After being the better side for much of the game, and seemingly being happy to settle for a deserved point away from home, to end up with nothing was a bitter pill to swallow for the Granata. For the first time this season, serious questions are being asked regarding Daniele Padelli's position as number 1, and a number of fans (myself included) would like to see Lys Gomis given an opportunity to stake his claim in the first team.

With the international break coming up next week, Toro will not play again for the fortnight - when they face Catania at home. Although it is still very early in the season, this game could already be placed in the 'must win' category, as Toro look to end a run of eight games without a win.

Forza Toro

Cagliari v Torino Preview

After becoming the first team to take a point off of league leaders Roma, Torino travel to Sardinia in search of their first victory since September.

Torino's injury problems continue, and they will be without both Giovanni Pasquale and Paulo Barreto, although the inclusion of Cesare Bovo in the squad could mean that Toro return to a three man defence.

Cagliari have been in poor form recently, and have lost their last three fixtures and they will be hoping for a repeat of last season's match between the two sides. The RossoBlu beat nine-man Torino 4-3 after scoring a late winner deep in injury time, moments after Rolando Bianchi had equalised from the spot.

Prediction
Cagliari 1-2 Torino

Torino 1-1 Roma

After winning their opening ten Serie A fixtures, Roma's record-breaking start to the season came to an end on Sunday evening after a 1-1 draw with Torino.

Giampiero Ventura surprisingly reverted to a 4-2-4 formation that was their trademark for the majority of last season. Ciro Immobile was dropped to the bench, as Riccardo Meggiorini and Paulo Barreto started up front, whilst Migjen Basha returned from suspension in midfield.

The league leaders almost took an early lead after a spectacular volley from Alessandro Florenzi from the edge of the area, but the ball sailed over the bar. However, on the half hour mark Roma did take the lead, when Alessio Cerci fell asleep from a short corner, which allowed Miralem Pjanic the room to cross for Kevin Strootman, who scored from close range.

However, Torino's star man Cerci set about trying to make amends for that error as his curling shot forced Morgan De Sanctis into an excellent save. On the stroke of half time, another brilliant run from the former Roma winger gave Omar El Kaddouri an opportunity, but his shot was disappointing.

The Granata almost equalised in sensational fashion, when Migjen Basha's diagonal ball was met with an exquisite left footed volley by Riccardo Meggiorini, but once again the home side were denied by De Sanctis.

However, with just over an hour on the clock, Torino got a deserved equalised after the usually reliable Medhi Benatia was dispossessed by Meggiorini, and the former Bari striker kept calm to roll the ball across goal and give Alessio Cerci a tap in. Incredibly, that was only the second goal that Roma have conceded so far this season.

Roma struggled to create clear cut chances after conceding the equaliser, and they were unable to prolong their perfect start to the season, despite substitute Adem Ljajic hitting the target with a late free kick.

This was a fine performance from Torino, and they deservedly came out of the game with a point. However, it must be said that they were somewhat fortunate to face a Roma side without both Francesco Totti and Gervinho - arguably their two best players this season. However, it was an impressive achievement to be the team to break Roma's winning run, however the fact that this result also extended Toro's own run without a win to seven games continues to be a worry.

Forza Toro!

Torino V Roma Preview

After the dramatic events of Wednesday's 3-3 draw against Livorno, the Granata face another tough challenge as league leaders Roma visit the Olimpico.

Torino have a lengthy list of absentees, and Guillermo Rodriguez, Alexander Farnerud and Marcelo Larrondo will all miss this game. However, former Roma midfielder Matteo Brighi returns to the squad, whilst Cesare Bovo has also returned from injury.

League leaders Roma have been re-writing the record books as they have opened the season with an incredible ten wins out of ten. But coach Rudi Garcia also has selection issues, with Gervinho and Francesco Totti both missing out due to injury. Centre back Leandro Castan is also suspended, so Nicolas Burdisso is expected to deputise - and it remains to be seen whether this slight change could cause disruption to a back four that has only conceded one goal this season.

Match Prediction
Torino 1-1 Roma

Livorno 3-3 Torino

Despite taking a 2-0 lead within the opening ten minutes, Torino still needed a late Alessio Cerci penalty in order to rescue a point in Tuscany on Wednesday evening.

Giampiero Ventura surprised many by setting Toro out in an attacking 4-3-3 formation, as the returning Omar El Kaddouri started wide on the left, with Alessio Cerci in his favoured position on the right wing.

The Granata made a blistering start and were ahead after just four minutes, as Cerci beat Giuseppe Gemiti for pace, before delivering an excellent right footed cross for Ciro Immobile to tap home.

Then moments later, the visitors doubled their lead when a Cerci corner was headed in by captain Kamil Glik, who scored his first goal of the season.

However, Livorno reacted well to that early set back, although it must be said they were assisted in getting back into the match by Torino who continued to give the ball back to the hosts. On the twenty-five minute mark, the home side got a goal back, when Pasquale Schiattarella's low cross was turned in by Paulinho. 

And just eight minutes later, Livorno grabbed a deserved equaliser when an excellent dummy from Paulinho attracted three players to him, and that gave Leandro Greco the space to score from the edge of the area.

Torino almost regained the lead just before half time, but home goalkeeper Francesco Bardi made an outstanding save to deny Kamil Glik his second goal of the evening.

In the second half, Livorno almost took the lead for the first time in the match, but Daniele Padelli made an excellent save with his legs to deny striker Innocent Emeghara. 

However, the former Udinese goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent defender Emerson from giving his side the lead on the hour mark. The Brazilian defender ran from his own half unleashing an unstoppable left footed shot from 35 yards to leave Padelli stranded.

But Torino showed some character to come back into the match, and they thought they had equalised when substitute Paulo Barreto played in Danilo D'Ambrosio, but the full back could only hit the post. With just minutes remaining, Torino received a lifeline when defender Leandro Rinaudo handled Ciro Immobile's goal bound effort and referee Paolo Valeri pointed to the spot.

Despite missing a penalty in the game against Inter, Alessio Cerci made no mistake on this occasion and he capped an excellent individual performance with a crucial goal. As Italian football pundit James Horncastle pointed out, Torino certainly aren't boring this season, but if they are to improve on last season's finish of 16th, they will have to learn to defend much better.

However, thankfully Torino have a nice easy game at the weekend - as league leaders Roma, who have won nine games out of nine, and conceded just one goal come to the Stadio Olimpico. 

Forza Toro

Livorno V Torino Preview

Torino travel to Tuscany in search of their first victory in over a month as they face newly promoted Livorno on Wednesday evening.

Ciro Immobile has returned from suspension and is included in the squad, whilst Omar El Kaddouri has also been included after missing a number of games with an injury.

Livorno, managed by former Toro defender Davide Nicola made a solid start to the season after their surprise promotion in the summer - although after winning two of their opening three fixtures, they are now without a win in six.

Prediction
Livorno 1-2 Torino

Napoli 2-0 Torino

Torino were punished by two controversial refereeing decisions as a brace of Gonzalo Higuian penalties gave Napoli a 2-0 victory over the Granata.

Kamil Glik returned to the back three after suspension, whilst there were also rare starts for Salvatore Masiello and Nicola Bellomo.

Things got off to a bad start after only fifteen minutes, when Bellomo was adjudged to have fouled Belgian winger Dries Mertens in the area. On first look it seemed like a fair decision, but on the replay it seemed as though the former PSV player had wrapped his leg around the Torino midfielder's leg in order to initiate contact. Former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuian stepped up to take the penalty, and the Argentine made no mistake, as he blasted the ball into the top corner.

Higuian had a great chance to double Napoli's lead after linking up with Mertens, but he was denied by a great save from Danielle Padelli. However, after some help from the additional official behind the goal, referee Andrea De Marco awarded Napoli another penalty, after Kamil Glik was adjudged to have handled - despite the fact he was only inches away from Federico Fernandez's strike. And just as he had done a quarter of an hour previously, Higuain stepped up to convert the penalty, this time sending Padelli the wrong way.

The home side should have extended their lead moments later, as Padelli came rushing out of his goal to make a clearance, but failed to make any contact with the ball. However, Napoli winger Lorenzo Insigne was unable to get the ball past the two covering Toro defenders.

Torino's first opportunity of the half was a long range free kick by Alessio Cerci, that was tipped over the bar by Jose Reina. Whilst from the resulting corner, captain Kamil Glik narrowly volleyed over the bar with Toro's best chance of the game.

With an important game against Livorno coming up on Wednesday, Giampiero Ventura took the opportunity to rest a few key players as it became obvious there was no way back for Toro in the second half - and Alessio Cerci, Alessandro Gazzi and Danilo D'Ambrosio were all replaced.

Substitute Riccardo Meggiorini came close to opening his account for the season, however his left footed shot from distance was comfortably saved by Reina. Daniele Padelli continued his reputation of being a good shot stopper (just a shame about his inability to claim crosses), as he made fine saves from Dries Mertens and then Jose Callejon.

In the dying moments, Migjen Basha was harshly sent off as he cynically fouled Goran Pandev, and was adjudged to be the last man - although it looked as though Torino had at least one defender covering.

That incident summed up a miserable afternoon for the Granata, and after going behind early, their attention seemed to be diverted to Wednesday's fixture at Livorno. That game is now crucial for a Torino side that has not won in five matches, with their only two victories this season coming against Sassuolo and Bologna - both of whom are in the bottom three.

Forza Toro!