Farnerud Signs

 

Torino have completed their second acquisition of the summer transfer window by securing the signature of Swedish midfielder Alexander Farnerud from Swiss club Young Boys.

Farnerud, who has played for Strasbourg, Stuttgart and Brondby earlier in his career has also played eight times for Sweden scoring two goals, although he has not received a call up since 2010.

In other news, Torino have renewed the co-ownership deal with Udinese for Paulo Barreto, whilst they have also purchased the other 50% of Alen Stevanovic from Inter.

Torino FC Goal of the Season 2012/13

Despite a disappointing end to the season, Torino did manage to achieve their aim of avoiding relegation this season, and a number of excellent goals were scored by Torino players.

Watch the video below, and then vote for your favourite goal on the poll. Competition will run for a couple of weeks, or until I remember to take the poll off the website. Enjoy.

Torino FC 2012/13 Awards

Now that the dust has settled on the 2012/2013 Serie A season, the time has come to recap the season from a Torino viewpoint, and what better way to do that than with a series of end of season awards. I'm sure there will be some disagreements regarding my choices, but feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments section below.

Player of the Season - Alessio Cerci

In past seasons the 'Player of the Season' award has been put to a public vote with the readers of the blog being able to have their say, but after this campaign that seemed to be a little futile, with Alessio Cerci being the only candidate to win the award. The winger arrived from Fiorentina in the summer with a reputation as being a talented but frustrating player, but after a number of outstanding performances in a Torino shirt, Cerci has been rewarded with international recognition and he is likely to be included in the Italy squad for this summer's Confederations Cup. His tally of eight goals and as many assists was essential in helping Toro avoid relegation, and he is now inevitably being linked with a move away from the club.

Game of the Season -  Fiorentina 4-3 Torino

The Granata had an unfortunate habit of being on the losing side in entertaining games this season, and that was probably best illustrated in an end of season game against the Viola in April. After going 3-0 down within thirty-three minutes, Torino showed some great character to score three excellent goals and looked likely to earn a deserved point. However, after throwing away a chance to win it themselves on the counter attack, they were made to pay moments later as Romulo scored a dramatic late winner to break Toro hearts. Other games that could have easily won this award were two more Toro defeats, Cagliari 4-3 Torino and Torino 3-5 Napoli, but in my opinion this game was probably the most dramatic of the three.

Shock Moment of the Season - Alessandro Rosina's penalty miss

Back in January, with Torino leading relegation rivals Siena 3-2 in the closing stages, the away side were awarded a controversial penalty in front of the Curva Maratona. Former Torino captain Alessandro Rosina stepped up to take the spot kick, and given his excellent penalty record that he enjoyed whilst he was with the Granata, I don't think anybody expected him to miss. But incredibly, Rosina put his penalty wide of the post, and Torino held on for what turned out to be a crucial victory.

Individual Performance of the Season - Riccardo Meggiorini V Inter

After his performance against Inter at the San Siro in January this season, the belief that Riccardo Meggiorini was only able to score against his former club was increasing amongst Toro fans. Meggio had gone into that game without a goal all season, but he scored two well taken goals to put the Granata on the verge of a historic victory - but like so often this season, they had to settle for a point instead.

Celebration of the Season - Rolando Bianchi v Roma

To be honest, this is just an excuse to ensure that Rolando Bianchi ends his final season Torino with some (albeit meaningless) silverware. Bianchi had a habit of passionately celebrating all of his 77 goals for the club, but even by his standards, his reaction to equalising against Roma was something special as he took off his shirt and raced around the pitch.

Miss of the Season - Jonathas v Juventus

This is arguably the most controversial choice considering he was undoubtedly being fouled at the time, but Jonathas had the chance to make himself a Torino legend in the 80th minute of the derby against Juventus with the scores level. However, he was unable to get a touch on Alessio Cerci's low cross, and as we know it proved to be decisive as Juve scored two late goals to get yet another victory over Torino.

My Personal Goal of the Season - Valter Birsa V Atalanta

I will be doing the traditional 'Goal of the Season' video compilation in the next few days, and this goal doesn't make the cut, but on a personal level I felt it needed to be mentioned. The reason for this is that Birsa's somewhat scruffy goal is actually the first 'winning goal' I have ever seen a Torino player score live, as I finally managed to end my seven year wait to see a Torino victory.

Bourne's Season Review Part Seven : The Coach

Part Seven : The Coach

Giampiero Ventura, vote 6.5

The longest serving coach of the Urbano Cairo era and only Toro trainer to complete two full seasons since Emiliano Mondonico left in 2000. In both campaigns ‘Ace’ has delivered the minimum goal: promotion to Serie A, followed by a (relatively) comfortable top-flight finish.

The positives: the team has a set identity and almost always has a clear tactical plan. Against poorer sides, Ventura likes his sides to build play from the back, maintain possession and draw the opposition in. Against more technical players and quality teams, he relies more on a submissive, counter-attacking approach. There have been very few games over the two years where Toro have been either comprehensively outplayed or not in the match during the final stages. He has got the best out of almost all the players, often by virtue of having a block of players from his Pisa and Bari days, one of few coaches in Italian football to have a direct influence on the transfer policy. Team spirit is solid: rare have been fallings out, talk of a rotten spogliatoio - so common at the club over the past two decades – has never surfaced and the team possesses resilience, notable in the comeback from 3-0 down away at Fiorentina late in the season.

The negatives: Not all the block of players Ventura has insisted on signing from his former clubs have been a success. The continued deployment of two – Riccardo Meggiorini and Salvatore Masiello – has bewildered many fans (more on those two in another section). Ventura must also take a share of the blame for the team’s inability to hold on to leads and the huge amount of goals conceded in the final 15 minutes of matches (lack of physical preparation, poor concentration or untimely substitutions?). The team’s results have also been kamikaze, demonstrating a tactical immaturity. The first half of the season saw a long unbeaten stretch away from home where the defence excelled and counterattacking football reaped rewards (albeit most results were draws). The team scored few goals, collected an unwanted amount of 0-0 scorelines and struggled to break down teams at home. Come the second half of the season, the team improved at home, playing entertaining football in a serious of schizophrenic matches (Siena and Napoli at home; Cagliari and Fiorentina away come to mind). A total of eight victories is relatively meagre as is the prolonged lack of success against a good team. The win over Lazio came against a depleted side playing with 10 men. The 16 draws are a European record the Granata share – fittingly – with Bordeaux. The side sometimes lacked conviction and confidence, respecting reputations too highly. His experiment at playing 3-5-2 in the final weeks of the season could be an interesting nod to a tactical change for next year. The 4-2-4 formation saw the side regularly overrun and become increasingly predictable to play against.

Verdict: The next stage for the club is to settle itself as a top-flight side, finish in the top half of the table and experience no relegation worries. The pressure is more on Cairo & Petrachi to deliver a financial commitment and the right signings. Coaches tend to have a limited shelf-life in Italian football. I’d be happy to see Ventura stay providing he still feels in control of the ‘project’ and continues to have an influence on transfer policy. He deserves a third season.

Peter is the author of the outstanding Torino book 'Passion in the Piazza' which is available on Amazon, and you can follow him on Twitter here.

Bourne's Season Review Part Six : Strikers

Part Six : Strikers

Paulo Vitor Barreto de Souza, 16 appearances, 3 goals, vote 6

Another player Toro have courted since Ventura arrived this despite chronic injury problems that saw the former Bari man (another one) feature just eleven times in two years for Udinese and go the same period without a goal. Given a rare start in Udinese’s draw with Toro earlier in the season, he seemed light years away from being the player who shone at Treviso and under Ventura in Puglia. Toro were unperturbed and eventually acquired the aeroplane-fearing Brazilian in January with the 27-year old proving a veritable enigma. On the positive side, fears of recurrent injuries problems were dispelled – the striker missed just one match. The early impressions were positive: Barreto’s quick feet, interesting link-up play and hard work impressed. As the weeks rolled on his lack of confidence in front of goal proved increasingly crippling and his scruffy effort in the win over Napoli arrived in his tenth game for the club. After which, another two opportunistic goals suggested the real Barreto was back only for him to fade in the final weeks. My feeling is fatigue played a factor and given a healthy and full pre-season we could see Barreto return to form in 2013-14. At times he needs to be braver in challenges and impose himself on the game. A series of poor misses – a penchant for snatching at chances – suggest he still needs to rediscover his clinical touch.

Verdict: The only forward certain to feature next season. Is the perfect second forward in Ventura’s counter-attacking system, a position he may challenge with Cerci next year. Interesting to see if he has the physicality and quality to play as a first striker.

Rolando Bianchi, 32 appearances, 11 goals, vote 6.5 

The telenovela of the season, Bianchi’s contractual situation dominated headlines and supporters thoughts. The end result was predictable, a loveless end to an unhappy marriage. I like Bianchi the man and in his five seasons with the club – a large part as captain – he has demonstrated a love and respect for the shirt, a sensitive understanding of Toro’s history and comported himself admirably. In the non-Ventura years, he was the fulcrum of the side, a scorer of regular goals for whom the side was constructed around. Never the quickest, but technically valid and potent in the air, he carried the team during the first few seasons back in Serie B. Enter Ventura in the summer of 2011 and Bianchi’s importance to the team diminished. His static play and desire for crosses into the box has never fitted with Ventura’s high pressing, speedy, counter-attacking style. Last year a measly eight goals in Serie B demonstrated that Bianchi was finding it tough. The club’s highest earner, he has been on the verge of leaving during the past few transfer windows although Toro have been reluctant to sell him to a direct rival. Any chance of a contract renewal has never been realistic, partly because of his large salary, mainly because he no longer fits the team’s system. I would like to thank Bianchi for his 77 goals and his contribution to the club but unlike my fellow Torino bloggers, I’m not too sad about his departure. At the very top level, he’s had at the most two prolific seasons and if the club are going to stick with Ventura it makes sense to change. What worries me more is if the club have the ability to bring in an upgrade.

Verdict: Bianchi enjoyed a Hollywood ending with his goal against Catania and the ovation he deserved. 11 goals is also a decent return. Cairo and Petrachi need to demonstrate they can bring in one or two forwards of a higher quality. Good luck Rolly!

Jonathas de Jesus, 11 appearances, 2 goals, vote 6 

Mmmmm. The jury is definitely out on this one. Signed from Pescara in January where after a decent season in Serie B with Brescia he stank the place out. Jonathas was something of a leftfield January signing. Perhaps acquired with the intention of having a targetman on the roster in anticipation of Bianchi’s departure, he is something of a mystery. Two goals, an opportunistic winner against Lazio and a neatly taken penalty at home to Napoli offered some positives. Only given one start, the Brazilian’s substitute appearances ranged from the awkward and confusing to effective. Not the quickest nor most technically comfortable, the club must decide how much room for progress the 24-year has.

Verdict: Its 50-50 whether Toro decide to buy out his Pescara contact. I’d definitely not be comfortable with the idea of him starting the season in attack but have seen enough to be a little bit intrigued. Hard to judge only on substitute appearances.

Riccardo Meggiorini, 31 appearances, 3 goals, vote 5

Possibly the most controversial of Ventura’s choices in 2012-13 was his persistence in selecting Riccardo Meggiorini. Signed in the second half of Toro’s promotion season, the 27-year old had been far from convincing, netting only four times and appearing largely anonymous. Three goals this season Serie A is a meagre return for striker clocking up over 30 appearances. It’s hardly a surprise, Meggiorini’s goal return in the top-flight is poor. Continually jeered in the first half of the season, his selection seemed baffling beyond belief. His partnership with Rolando Bianchi has never looked convincing and Meggiorini rarely found himself in goalscoring positions. Two goals and a dynamic performance away at Inter in January came out of the blue forcing fans to think he may have turned the corner. What it offered was a revaluation of the player and his importance to Ventura’s tactical system. Meggiorini is essentially fielded as a defensive attacker, pressing the opposition midfield and creating space for the front three. It’s ugly and not always effective but his hounding of Andrea Pirlo in the Turin derby was his œuvre d'art. I’m of the opinion though that Ventura should counter the problem – created by having a continually overrun midfield – by sticking to 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 next season and playing with a more dynamic attack. Meggiorini’s three goals were all magnificently taken, begging the question why he couldn’t do it more often? He is paid as a forward, for which his contribution was minimal.

Verdict: One of the players the club needs to replace in order to move forward. The overall impression though is Meggiorini will be staying for next season so the hope must be he’s reserved as a defensive substitute.

Alessandro Sgrigna, 11 appearances, 1 goal, vote 5.5

Another one who should have been offloaded last summer but was given a first chance at Serie A. Eventually sold to Verona, he had the distinction of scoring Toro’s first goal of the season in the win over Pescara. A handful of appearances later, some nice touches but a growing sensation he was out of his depth, Sgrigna was moved on. Will be interesting to see if he features as part of Verona’s Serie A team next year.

Verdict: Part of the squad that needs a major overhaul on several levels. The talismanic Bianchi has left which allows Ventura the freedom to field his ‘own men’. A change in formation will also lead to a reflection on the type of forwards required. Of the list above only Barreto seems to have the necessary potential. At least three new forwards required.

Peter is the author of the outstanding Torino book 'Passion in the Piazza' which is available on Amazon, and you can follow him on Twitter here.

Bourne's Season Review Part Five : Wingers

Part Five : Wingers

Valter Birsa, 17 appearances, 2 goals, vote 6.5 

One of the few players Toro fans would have liked to have seen more of. Arriving from Genoa in the final days of the summer transfer window, the Slovenian took a while to overcome injuries before becoming a regular in the squad in the run up to Christmas. His arrival was something of a gamble. In his first year in Serie A with the Rossoblu, Birsa had failed to show the form that made him a consistent performer in Ligue 1 with Auxerre. The 26-year old is a different style of winger to Santana and Cerci, less mobile but with a crafted left foot and the most accurate crosser on the club’s books. Of the Toro widemen he most suited the aerial game of Rolando Bianchi. While not a classic Ventura player, Birsa provided a quality alternative to the club’s first choice wingers.

Verdict: Unlikely to be retained by Genoa, Toro should tie up Birsa’s services for next season.

Alessio Cerci, 35 appearances, 8 goals, vote 8

Angelo Ogbonna started the season as Toro’s marquee player, Alessio Cerci finished it. Far and away, the Granata’s most important and decisive player, Cerci’s contribution offered the side a rare slice of quality in the final third. His first few months of the season were relatively uninspiring before a goal against his former club Fiorentina galvanised the Roman and he never looked back. A further seven goals, countless assists and some virtuoso performances inspired Toro to a good run of form in the early months of 2013. His form didn’t drop in the final weeks when all around him seemed to lose energy and motivation. An international call up arrived in the spring as did the predictable interest from the top clubs. Toro must regret not buying out his entire contract from Fiorentina last summer. A bidding war is now set and the pessimist tells me Cairo won’t deliver the funds to secure Cerci’s signing. Much will depend on the player too. His relationship with Ventura is excellent, we’ve seen none of the bad behaviour and indiscipline that characterised his time in Florence and another full season as the main man at Toro – ahead of a World Cup year – could be an attractive proposal. The only negative side to his game were a number of invisible performances against the very top sides, a sign that Toro need more attacking options to take the pressure off their 26-year old winger who became easy to nullify.

Verdict: A combination of the player’s motivation and Cairo’s budget will determine whether Cerci stays. Will be very hard to replace.

Dolly Menga, 1 appearance, 0 goal, no vote

Belgian U-21 international signed from Lierse in January. Has apparently convinced Ventura with his impact in training and performances with the youth team. Would have been given more first-team space had the team secured survival earlier. As it stands, a five-minute substitute appearance in a kamikaze away game at Cagliari is his only first-team action.

Verdict: One for the future. The club will evaluate over the summer whether he provides back up in Serie A next year or moves out on loan.  Current stories suggest Cairo/Petrachi are making hard work out of completing his signing from Lierse.

Mario Santana, 27 appearances, 4 goals, vote 6.5

Former Argentine international with nearly a decade of Serie A football behind him, the 31-year old signed on loan from Napoli was another calculated gamble. Injuries have disrupted his career and rumours from pre-season training suggested his career in Granata may not decoll. They proved untrue. Santana quickly cemented himself as first choice on the left-flank with licence to cut in on his preferred right foot. On his day, direct, tricky and capable of carrying the game to the opposition, there were also too many anonymous performances. Injuries disrupted his season – missing six games – and he tended to look better playing on the break away from home. However, in the attacking third he was one of Toro’s most promising performers.

Verdict: His situation is similar to Matteo Brighi’s. Toro have to decide whether to turn a loan move for an early 30 something into a permanent deal. Santana probably deserves the opportunity to continue in Turin although the arrival of younger players is more probable.

Alen Stevanovic, 15 appearances, 2 goals, vote 5

A mainstay of Ventura’s promotion team where he was the Cerci-figure, a marauding, sometimes genius, often unpredictable outlet on the right flank. His form tailed off at the end of last season and his non-appearance at the club’s promotion party seemed to signal the end of his stay in Turin. During the summer, the club renewed their faith in the young Swiss-born Serbian international who featured in the first ten games of the season. After which just five appearances and none since early March. Goals in away games at Atalanta and Cagliari and a call-up to the Serbian national team offered brief but false dawns. On the field he displayed non of the occasional verve of his performances in Serie B, and long periods out of the team suggest a questionable application in training.

Verdict: Of undoubted potential but in danger of seeing his career slide. A loan move either to Serie B or abroad may be the most attractive outlet. The club may wonder whether it would have been better off retaining the interesting Nnamdi Oduamadi last summer.

Simone Verdi, 4 appearances, 0 goals, no vote

The 20-year old featured only occasionally in Toro’s promotion season and it was something of a surprise he wasn’t loaned out last summer. Featured sporadically before making a welcome loan move to Juve Stabia. Part-owned by Milan, it remains to be seen whether the former star of the Rossoneri Primavera team has shown the credentials to become a Serie A player.

Verdict: Like Menga may have pre-season to convince the club he doesn’t need a spell in Serie B.

Overall verdict: If Ventura moves to a 3-5-2, wide-men may find themselves surplus to requirements aside from providing tactical flexibility from the bench. If Cerci stays he may switch to play as a seconda punta. Of the others, the future is unclear as none are accustomed to play as wingbacks. 

Peter is the author of the outstanding Torino book 'Passion in the Piazza' which is available on Amazon, and you can follow him on Twitter here.

Bourne's Season Review Part Four : Central Midfielders

Part Four : Central Midfielders

Marko Bakic, 1 appearance, 0 goals, no vote

One of the interesting young foreign players on Toro’s books. The 19-year old is already a full Montenegrin international and arrived in the summer with a promising reputation. If there has been little fanfare about the young playmaker then there is good reason. He is half-owned by Fiorentina and following the ill-fated experience with a young Kwadwo Asamoah (who went on to fame at Udinese), the feeling is that if Bakic emerges as a player he will soon be wearing a purple shirt. Sat on the bench 18 times before making his first appearance, when he looked a little overwhelmed making his debut at home to Catania. A victim of the club’s inability to secure survival earlier in the season.

Verdict: Has not shown enough to warrant a first-team place. A year long loan in Serie B may help him realise his potential

Migjen Basha, 21 appearances, 1 goal, vote 6.5

A frankly strange season for the 26-year old Swiss-born Albania international. Following a timid start and a scattering of appearances, Ventura axed him completely in the New Year following Matteo Brighi’s return to form. Basha spent nine games rooted to the bench before returning to favour and enjoying a positive run-in. The ex-Atalanta man has shown enough this season to warrant a further chance in Serie A. Age is on his side, he is rarely injured and his athleticism and determination are commendable assets. Unlike most of his midfield counterparts, he is occasionally a goal threat. An unglamourous but useful option.

Verdict: Under contract until 2015 and his permanence will allow for some stability in a midfield which is due an overhaul.

Matteo Brighi, 23 appearances, 2 goals, vote 6.5

The most talented, experienced and fragile of the Toro midfield. With over 300 Serie A appearances under his belt, Brighi’s arrival last summer offered an inexperienced side some guidance. His season – a little like his career – was interrupted by injuries and the struggle to overcome them. Brighi’s best period of form arrived after the New Year when a series of commanding performances led the side to their best run of the season. This commenced with his goal in the crucial 3-2 win over Siena where his provocative celebration suggested a difficult relationship with Ventura.

Verdict: At 32 and on loan from Roma, it is difficult seeing Toro making a financial commitment to a player so unreliable physically. A replacement for Brighi is most likely to come from a fresh loan move. In many ways, a pity.

Alessandro Gazzi, 32 appearances, 2 goals, vote 7

Toro’s 14-month pursuit of Gazzi ended last summer when Ventura was finally reunited with his former Bari soldier. Signed for a sizeable fee from Siena, Gazzi proved to be one of the signings of the season offering some solidity, consistency and quality in a weak and continually rotating midfield. A tough-tackling holding midfielder, his energy galvanised the team in the early part of the season where he showed a surprise ability to get among the goals (against Atalanta and Chievo). During the final weeks of the season, the 30-year old seemed to run out of gas perhaps a sign that next season Ventura needs to balance his resources better. Will be a pleasure seeing him play alongside a genuine regista.

Verdict: One of Ventura’s favourite players and the fans too. An unassuming and likeable character and one of the best signings of the Ventura and maybe even Cairo era. A certain starter in 2013-14.

Sergiu Suciu, 1 appearance, 0 goals, no vote

The 23-year old Romanian is one of the most vaunted products of the Toro youth team but bad luck with injuries (two cruciate ligament breaks in 2011-12) have disrupted his career. Given 11 minutes of Serie A football against Siena, he was loaned to Juve Stabia to aid is rehabilitation. In Serie B he featured intermittently showing some of the driving midfield play that has encouraged scouts.

Verdict: Perhaps needs another full season in Serie B although the club will most likely review his progress in pre-season.

Giuseppe Vives, 25 appearances, 0 goals, vote 5.5

One of a clutch of players who I felt didn’t need to be retained at the start of the season. In Ventura’s preferred 4-2-4 formation he has often been a hard player to accommodate. The former Lecce captain lacks the physicality and presence to play in a two-man midfield and when deployed on the left-wing has a tendency to drift into his preferred position of inside left. It was there during the promotion season and when Ventura adopts an occasional 4-3-3 that he plays his best football. Vives has essentially been a squad player who in a midfield bereft of quality has played far more football than he may have expected. Like Masiello, he is a top half of Serie B player, and while he didn’t let the team down there is no major evidence of the quality he brings.

Verdict: Rumours link him with Palermo where Toro have negotiations pending. Highly likely to find himself at a progressive Serie B club next year.

Overall Verdict: Gazzi will be a mainstay of next year’s team in either a two or three-man midfield. Basha is a reliable back-up. At least three new quality midfielders are needed unless Ventura is ready to gamble on the emergence of Bakic or Suciu.

Peter is the author of the outstanding Torino book 'Passion in the Piazza' which is available on Amazon, and you can follow him on Twitter here.