 03-03-07, 12:02 PM | #103 (permalink) |
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 Torino - Inter 29th of April 2007 Stadio Olimpico, Turin Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 34     2' 12'  Roberto Stellone, 35' Elvis Abbruscato - 52' Florent Malouda, 60'  Dejan Stankovic, 65' Frank Ribery
In the clash of leaders Torino finally ended the amazing streak of Inter's unbeatten league games as they became the first side to defeat the leaders this season!
Eventhough there wasn't much at stake in Turin, the tie with Inter and Torino was without a doubt an eagerly waited occasion. Eventhough it was secured that both teams will be placed 1st and 2nd respectively, but there was a question which was asked. How strong is Torino really? Granata had gone unbeatten for 19 games, while Inter's run had been 33 games long.
The previous encounter between the sides ended with an amazing 4-3 victory of Inter, last loss of Torino and both teams said before the game that one streak ends for sure as another show of football was on cards despite Nikola Lazetic, Andre Zuba and Iacopo Balestri being out for Torino. Stefano Fiore was fit enough for bench, as Figo was handed a start againist the club he is on loan from.
It was an incredible start for the home-side, some quick passes after a free-kick allowed Cedric Konan to cross in for a on-target Roberto Stellone header from the penalty spot as he beat Walter Samuel in the air duel.
 Stellone opened the scoring after 2 minutes!
Julio Cesar managed to get his hands onto another Stellone shot while Cristiano Lupatelli had to make an incredible save on Fabio Grosso after the left-back was left unmarked in the far post.
Dejan Stankovic shot five meters wide from the edge of the area before Torino surprisingly doubled their lead.
In a three touch move, Torino split open the Inter defence. Luis Figo latched a high ball after a throw-in to Elvis Abbruscato who headed it behind the defence for a Stellone first touch shot next to the far post as Julio Cesar had no chance of saving.
Fabio Grosso got another chance when was again left unmarked, but his shot which was aimed at far post went just centimeters wide of the goal and that miss proved costly.
Luis Figo's free-kick met the diving header of Elvis Abbruscato in the near post and the hitmen grabed his 31st goal of Serie A with elegance.
 Malouda failed to get his head to the shot going towards top corner
That was the last chance of the first half and the second half started with Inter hunting for three goals to save the unbeatten run.
They got one back quickly, a low pass was allowed through by defence as Florent Malouda perfectly struck the ball past goalkeeper to the low near corner.
Cedric Konan got injuried and Stefano Fiore returned from injury as shortly after he was involved in a team-move which led to a brilliant Simone Barone curling bomb from 30 meters, only to be denied in fantastic fashion by Julio Cesar in Inter goal.
David Villa then dribbled through half of Torino defence, but as soon as he was past the last player Lupatelli was there to smother his shot with feet.
Then Grosso's header got saved by Lupatelli who had another fantastic game and Torino got a sigh of relief on the 60th minute.
Dejan Stankovic was caught hitting out at Alessandro Rosina and referee didn't hesitate in showing the red card, leaving Inter with 10-men.
Though Inter still didn't give up and Marco Di Loreto's bad marking allowed Frank Ribery to go past him and shoot David Villa pass into low corner five minutes after the red-card incident.
Di Loreto got punished for his mistake and Ivan Francheschini's introducing over him secured the Granata back-line for the rest of the game.
They even managed to almost net a 4-2 goal, but Elvis Abbruscato's header flew over the far post from a man of the match Figo cross, it would've been a sure goal if between posts as Julio Cesar was moving completely the other way.
With the victory Torino mathematically secured a second place in the league, therefore a straight place in Champions League. The gap with Inter though is 11 points so Inter would need to lose all the remaining games for Torino to have a chance to win the title this season.
Torino: 1-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto (66' 14-Ivan Francheschini), 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 24-Cedric Konan (54' 7-Stefano Fiore), 8-Simone Barone, 5-Luis Figo; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato , 11-Roberto Stellone
Cautioned  : None
Other Results
Atalanta 0-2 Roma
Cagliari 0-1 Udinese
Chievo 2-2 Sampdoria
Empoli 0-3 Livorno
Lazio 1-1 Siena
Milan 2-0 Messina
Reggina 0-2 Fiorentina
Torino Position: 2nd |
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