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 Torino - Sporting 23rd of September 2008 Stadio Grande Torino, Turin Champions League 2008/2009; Group E; Game 2     30'  Rolando Bianchi, 72' Elvis Abbruscato - 17' (OG) Gabriel Tamas  Match Highlights (4:30)
Stadio Grande Torino welcomed Champions League for the first time, counting out qualifying game with Manchester United last season, successfully as home side won 2:1 with Elvis Abbruscato netting the winner.
Torino was in middle of slight problems, Alessandro Rosina, Andrea Mei and Marco Pisano were all injured to give manager Tanel Tursk to think about heading to the match. He picked Antonio Di Natale and Simone Padoin to the first team, while Rolando Bianchi continued to parter Elvis Abbruscato upfront, despite his unsuccessful start to the Granata career.
Sporting game from a strong six match unbeaten run and from seven straight wins in Bwin league for this match as Torino needed a victory to keep on challenging for the place in knock-out stages of the Champions League.
Torino continued with their usual quick chance style, Silva picked up Bianchi free behind defenders, but former Reggina shot was saved.
Gabriel Tamas saw his free-kick from good position also denied by veteran Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo though even more spectacular save was to follow from the former Portuguese number one.
Scramble in the box made ball fall to Silva on the edge of the area, who recently shockingly accepted a call-up by Portuguese national team and made his debut, as the midfielder sent a trademark volley towards the empty net, but Ricardo somehow managed to retain it with a fabulous flying save.
Torino's early pressure didn't pay off and they fell down in unlucky circumstances. Josip Simunic deflection took an unlucky deflection off Tamas and the ball flew low into Torino goal.
Almost another own-goal came just two minutes later, but Marcelo Grohe managed to catch Daniele Bonera's deflection from the edge of the area.
Renato shot his free-kick wide while Simone Barone's powerful long range effort took a fine save out of Ricardo once more.
Nani was in the end of a bad Grohe goal-kick and went on a run, but eventually having his shot from 25 meters out tipped over bar by Grohe.
Though few minutes later Torino finally broke the duck, Riccardo Montolivo's pass found Bianchi and the striker went past Machado before smashing a powerful effort under the bar to send home fans into raptures.
 Rolando Bianchi scored a fine goal
Amazing Andreolli's long ball fell to Rolando Bianchi who squared it forward to Elvis Abbruscato but the Roman had his shot saved and Silva managed to volley the ball wide of the empty net.
Montolivo's free-kick flew over the bar and at half-time, Alexis Sanchez replaced Antonio Di Natale.
Gabriel Tamas banged Simone Padoin's low free-kick over the bar and minutes after, Riccardo Montolivo limped off with an injury to be replaced by Alexandre Bonnet and Lasse Qvist was brought on for goalscorer Bianchi.
Qvist almost got a quick goal, but his curling effort from Andreolli's free-kick flew wide.
Nani's weak shot at near post was easily caught by Grohe and minutes later, Torino grabbed the well deserved lead. Simone Padoin's cross was headed in by Abbruscato for his fourth goal in as many games.
Renato and Abbruscato both saw their efforts fly over the bar later in the match as Torino received their first ever Champions League victory and rose to second place in group rankings.
Torino: 1-Marcelo Grohe; 4-Marco Andreolli, 5-Gabriel Tamas, 22-Daniele Bonera, 12-Simone Padoin; 7-Simone Barone, 8-Silva; 13-Antonio Di Natale (45' 21-Alexis Sanchez), 16-Riccardo Montolivo (56' 15-Alexandre Bonnet); 9-Rolando Bianchi (56' 18-Lasse Qvist), 19-Elvis Abbruscato
Cautioned  : None
Other Results
Werder Bremen 0:0 Barcelona
Torino Position: 2nd
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