 15-08-07, 12:14 AM | #267 (permalink) |
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 Empoli - Torino 11th of October 2008 Carlo Castellani, Empoli Italian Serie A 2008/2009; Week 7     31'  Erik Jendrisek - 19' Silva, 63' (Pen.) 73' Elvis Abbruscato  Match Highlights (3:36)
Torino put in impressive performance in this away game against Empoli with Elvis Abbruscato scoring a truly fabulous individual effort.
There were small problems for Torino heading to this away match with Empoli. Simone Padoin was out injured and half-fit Marco Pisano had to play because of that. Alessandro Rosina, Yves Moukouri, Cedric Konan and Andrea Mei also spent watching the game from the sidelines of Carlo Castellani stadium.
Match got off to a slow start and first true chance came after nearly quarter of a hour. Riccardo Montolivo's corner created quite a lot of havoc in the Empoli area, but neither Gabriel Tamas, Daniele Bonera and Antonio Di Natale couldn't get their shots into the net as their efforts were blocked or saved. From following corner, Tamas ended the tension for a bit by heading the ball over.
But it was just for a bit, minute later Riccardo Montolivo found Silva in the area with his throw-in and the Portugese international showed some fine ball control before smashing the ball under bar for his first goal off the season.
Dangerous Torino counter-attack almost saw Elvis Abbruscato get a free shot at far post, but he was stopped by fabulous interception of Andrea Raggi.
Montolivo free-kick found Abbruscato in the area, but the striker saw his header at near post saved before Empoli got a surprise equalizer.
Svensson's free-kick found Erik Jendrisek in the area and from tight angle, his shot got a deflection off Marco Andreolli and flew into the net.
Francesco Tavano, also paired with Torino in summer, shot the ball over the net after Daniele Bonera's clearance left Marcelo Grohe goal exposed.
Torino were unlucky not to regain the lead before the break when Montolivo's free-kick was headed against the bar by Abbruscato and Rolando Bianchi follow up got blocked.
Comotto came in for obviously not match-fit Pisano in the course of half-time, but couldn't do anything about Jendrisek getting one on one situation in start of the second half, luckily for Torino his effort was rather bad and easy for Grohe to get his fingers to.
Alexis Sanchez came on for Bianchi before Torino was awarded a penalty kick. Former Torino center-back Ivan Francheschini shoved Abbruscato in the area and ref pointed to the spot after consulting with his assistant. Abbruscato himself confidently stepped up and smashed the ball into top corner.
Bonera found Sanchez run with a long ball as the striker cut in from winger before smashing a swerving effort from tight angle just above the bar.
Lasse Qvist came in for Di Natale and moved Sanchez to wing and he was small part of move that made Torino's third goal. He was the one who gave the pass to Elvis Abbruscato, which saw the last two years Serie A top scorer go past quite many Empoli defenders in spectacular move and finish low as the ball bounced in from post.
 Abbruscato scored his 6th league goal this season
Abbruscato also was close to getting an assist to his name and he flicked Montolivo free-kick on for Gabriel Tamas low shot from edge of the area which was blocked on line.
In final minutes of the game, Torino was close to adding 4th after fantastic move masterminded by Silva, but Simone Barone couldn't cap quick passing play of Torino with a goal as his shot from edge of the area flew wide.
With win, Torino became the leader of Serie A with all wins so far as Inter and other top clubs witnessed their this weekends game rescheduled, just like happened with Torino's first week game at Udinese.
Torino: 1-Marcelo Grohe; 4-Marco Andreolli, 5-Gabriel Tamas, 22-Daniele Bonera, 6-Marco Pisano (45' 17-Gianluca Comotto); 7-Simone Barone, 8-Silva; 13-Antonio Di Natale (70' 18-Lasse Qvist), 16-Riccardo Montolivo; 9-Rolando Bianchi (56' 21-Alexis Sanchez), 19-Elvis Abbruscato
Cautioned  : None
Other Results
Catania 0:0 Roma
Parma 0:0 Ascoli
Siena 1:0 Genoa
Torino Position: 1st
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