 14-08-07, 05:36 PM | #266 (permalink) |
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 Milan - Torino 1st of October 2008 Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro, Milano Italian Serie A 2008/2009; Week 6     16'  Alberto Gilardino - 24' 41' 56' Rolando Bianchi  Match Highlights (4:33)
Rolando Bianchi scored a fantastic hattrick to give Torino a tough win against Milan side that dominated them for most of the time.
Torino was going into the game with Milan in fine form, winning last six games and conceding just two, but this was certainly another big test for them at almost full San Siro stadium. Memories of past games with Milan under charge of Tanel Tursk have been good for Torino, two wins, draw and one unlucky loss and they certainly hoped to add to it.
Andrea Mei, Alessandro Rosina and Marco Pisano continued to sit on the sidelines, but the later should be back for Torino's next game after international break.
Milan got the best of starts, but couldn't capitalize on first chances. Daniele Bonera missed a vital header already in 4th minute and Marcelo Grohe was forced into a fine save from Goran Pandev shot from edge of the area.
Pandev then banged Alberto Gilardino cross over as Torino defense couldn't handle Milan's attacking players.
Breakthrough game with third chance for Milan, Daniel Alves found Alberto Gilardino at far post for a great diving header and Milan was upfront for the delight of home crowd.
Pandev shot over from edge of the area, but Torino showed good composure to capitalize on their first chance of the evening. Elvis Abbruscato pass was deflected off Andrea Barzagli and it sent Rolando Bianchi one on one with Milan goalkeeper Dida and the striker sent a fine finish into near post despite Dida getting his fingers to it. It was his first Serie A goal for Torino.
Elvis Abbruscato almost hit spectacular second for Torino, but his lovely chip rolled closely past the post with Dida beaten.
Few minutes before the break, Torino did manage to get their goal and it was Bianchi again as he headed in Antonio Di Natale cross. Again Dida got a hand to it, but it wasn't enough to stop the ball from going between the posts.
 Bianchi finally opened up his cannons in Serie A
At half-time Torino opted for no changes, but Gilardino produced another nice save out of Marcelo Grohe with a curling long range effort during fine piece of counter attacking football from Milan.
Save proved vital and ten minutes into the half, Torino grabbed a surprising third. Di Natale's corner was again headed in by Bianchi at far post and the striker was really living the dream in this Wednesday evening face off.
Torino tried to keep the legs fresh and brought on Gianluca Comotto for Marco Andreolli, but new player quickly saw himself exposed in the wing by Pandev, but Macedonia's fantastic effort flew wide of the far post.
Elvis Abbruscato made a huge run from center circle towards the net for Marco Andreolli long ball, but saw his shot saved by Dida after he had shown his back-heels to Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze.
Alexis Sanchez replaced Riccardo Montolivo, but Torino couldn't keep up the pace of Milan who put on wild pressure for final minutes. Julio Baptista was denied from tight angle and guardless Kaka amazingly sent a low ball wide of the goal from follow up situation.
Kaka powerful shot flew wide of the top corner before Alberto Gilardino was denied in one on one situation.
Roberto Stellone was brought in for his first display of the season, after hitting 17 goals in league last time, but he didn't get much of the ball.
Andrea Barzagli almost got an own goal from Comotto's cross, but his header towards his own net was caught by full stretch Dida before substitute Leandro Pischulini shot wide in another opening behind Torino defence.
But Bianchi's three goals were enough and Torino climbed another place in table as they now occupy second place with one less game and all wins so far.
Torino: 1-Marcelo Grohe; 4-Marco Andreolli (61' 17-Gianluca Comotto), 5-Gabriel Tamas, 22-Daniele Bonera, 12-Simone Padoin; 7-Simone Barone, 8-Silva; 13-Antonio Di Natale, 16-Riccardo Montolivo (70' 21-Alexis Sanchez); 9-Rolando Bianchi (77' 11-Roberto Stellone), 19-Elvis Abbruscato
Cautioned  : 76' Daniele Bonera
Other Results
Catania 1:0 Livorno
Chievo 1:0 Roma
Empoli 1:1 Genoa
Juventus 3:0 Ascoli
Lazio 1:1 Napoli
Palermo 0:1 Fiorentina
Parma 1:3 Inter
Sampdoria 3:0 Brescia
Siena 1:0 Udinese
Torino Position: 2nd
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