Tuesday, 15 December 2015

Juventus v Torino Preview

Torino will travel to the Juventus stadium for the second time in less than two months as they face their city rivals in a Coppa Italia last sixteen tie.

The cup could represent Toro's best opportunity to qualify for Europe this season, and have been taking the competition seriously and will continue to do so against the Bianconeri.

The Granata have been well rested after Saturday's fixture against Sassuolo was postponed, and Toro will be hoping to gain revenge for October's heartbreaking last minute defeat.

The Coppa Italia is certainly not Juventus' priority this season, and therefore Massimiliano Allegri is expected to rotate his squad and use a number of fringe players. Daniele Rugani, Martin Caceres and Simone Zaza are all expected to start, and Torino may hope to take advantage.

Forza Toro

Sassuolo P-P Torino

Torino's fixture with Sassuolo was postponed before kick off on Saturday evening, with heavy fog causing visibility issues.

A re-arranged date for this fixture has yet to be announced, but it is likely to be either January 13th, 20th, or 27th depending on the Granata's success in their Coppa Italia tie on Wednesday.

Forza Toro

Saturday, 12 December 2015

Sassuolo v Torino Preview

Torino will look to continue their recent good form when they travel to Reggio Emilio on Saturday evening to face a Sassuolo side who are also in good form.

Toro will be without the suspended Bruno Peres, so Davide Zappacosta should deputise, whilst Marco Benassi will miss out through injury.

The Granata may have one eye on Wednesday's Coppa Italia tie with Juventus but will be unable to take the home side lightly. Sassuolo are unbeaten at home, and have already beaten Napoli and Juventus at the Mapei stadium this season.

Prediction
Sassuolo 1-1 Torino

Sunday, 6 December 2015

Torino 1-1 Roma

Torino's impressive recent form continued as they fought back to score an injury time equaliser to earn a point against title challengers Roma.

The Granata were unchanged from the side that beat Bologna last weekend, with Andrea Belotti partnering Fabio Quagliarella upfront.

Andrea Belotti almost scored his second goal in successive games, but he was somehow denied by an excellent save by Wojciech Szczęsny's legs.

Bruno Peres also came close as his long range effort was deflected by Lucas Digne and almost snuck past the Polish goalkeeper.

Edin Dzeko wasted a great chance for the away side when he headed over the bar, whilst Juan Iturbe did the same moments later.

With less than ten minutes remaining, Roma took the lead when Daniele Padelli failed to deal with a floated free kick from Miralem Pjanić which somehow beat everyone and found its way into the net.

Substitute Josef Martinez forced a save out of Szczęsny with an impressive volley, whilst at the other end, Edin Dzeko should have put the game beyond any doubt but was denied by Padelli.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Toro were awarded a controversial penalty when Andrea Belotti was adjudged to have been fouled by Kostas Manolas, although it did look as if the Greek defender had won the ball.

With usual penalty taker Fabio Quagliarella off the pitch, Maxi Lopez took responsibility and sent Szczęsny the wrong way to earn Torino a deserved point.

Forza Toro!

Thursday, 3 December 2015

Torino v Roma Preview

Torino will look to make it four wins in a row when they face Roma on Saturday afternoon at the Stadio Olimpico.

Fabio Quagliarella and Andrea Belotti could both return after missing out against Cesena in mid week, whilst captain Kamil Glik should also return.

Roma have lost their last two games against Barcelona and Atalanta and will also have one eye on Wednesday's crucial Champions League tie against BATE Borisov.

Prediction
Torino 1-1 Roma

Torino 4-1 Cesena

Torino progressed to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia and a tie against Juventus after a convincing 4-1 win over Cesena on Tuesday evening.

The Granata made a number of changes from the side who beat Bologna on Saturday and it only took three minutes for Torino to take the lead.

Daniele Baselli's corner caused havoc for the Cesena defence and although Emiliano Moretti and Josef Martinez both had efforts saved, Alessandro Gazzi finally bundled the ball home. Toro doubled their lead ten minutes later, as another Baselli corner was flicked on by Gazzi and Emiliano Moretti tapped in.

Josef Martinez was so close to getting his first goal of the season, but the Venezuelan somehow saw his effort cleared off the line by strike partner Maxi Lopez.

Six minutes after half time Toro added to their lead after great interplay between Martinez and Lopez allowed the latter to score with a nice finish past Federico Agliardi.

Emmanuel Cascione reduced the arrears for the away side with 25 minutes remaining, but Marco Benassi put the result beyond any doubt with an excellent solo effort in the closing stages.

Forza Toro

Monday, 30 November 2015

Torino v Cesena Preview

Torino will look to secure a Coppa Italia tie against Juventus as they face Serie B side Cesena on Tuesday evening.

Giampiero Ventura may use this game as an opportunity to rotate his squad, so fringe players Davide Zappacosta, Alessandro Gazzi and Josef Martinez could all start. Fabio Quagliarella will definitely miss out due to a slight injury, whilst Pontus Jansson is included in the squad after an injury of his own.

Cesena were relegated from Serie A last season but looking to bounce straight back at the first attempt and are currently 4th in Serie B. Toro goalkeeper Alfred Gomis is actually at loan at Cesena, but is not expected to feature against his parent club tomorrow.

Prediction
Torino 3-0 Cesena