Dreams Of Beating Juventus - Page 10 - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

**VeggiSmurf** · 05-07-07, 12:00 PM

To bad of your draw against Ajax butt a nice victory over Udinese.

Tanel · 05-07-07, 08:09 PM

Atalanta - Torino

19th of December 2007
Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo
Italian Serie A 2007/2008; Week 14

17'

Silva, 76' (Pen)

Elvis Abbruscato

Match Highlights (3:52)

Torino continued to impress with a victory over Atalanta, but it wasn't a joy ride for Torino as they needed quite a lot of luck to do so.

Lionel Mathis and Simone Barone were both out again, but Silva's impressive form in the last matches, allowed Torino to think about other things than the worry of central midfielder position. Tursk stated before the match that their hosts don't have any magic induvidual player, but are made without any weak links and it's very balanced side Torino has to face.

And his fear for Atalanta came true, the Bergamo side got quick start to the match, but Derlei shot the ball over after Gabriel Tamas had trouble stoping him.

Then Nicola Ventola missed two good chances, first he hit a header just centimetres wide of the left-hand post and then after Raffaele Schiavi gave him too much room, his shot went not much over the bar.

Mistakes proved costly when Gyan's clearing header fell on to the foot of Silva who spoted goalkeeper out of the goal to send in a fantastic curling effort that had no problem finding a way to the far top corner.

Atalanta went for another close shave when Marquinhos headed over a Antonio Lopez free-kick from the right wing.

There was more bad news for Torino who couldn't get the ball upfront as Stefano Fiore left the pitch injuried and Antonio Di Natale came on to replace him.

Derlei shot a free-kick wide and Atalanta's incompentance with finishing showed off once more when Ferreira Pinto headed over a pin-point cross from Antonio Lopez.

Torino almost doubled their lead minute into the second half when Roberto Stellone got one on one with goalkeeper, but his cheeky chip went wide of the goal after leaving Alex Calderoni beaten.

Torino looked more lively in the second half and Gabriel Tamas proved that when his diving header was blocked off the line by Lopez.

Cedric Konan and Giuseppe Pancaro came on to add some fresh legs to Torino game, but neither of them had immediate effect.

It was Ventola who got past Tamas once more, only to send his shot with right foot flying over the cross-bar. Raffaele Schiavi had a similary bad effort at the other end, but he shot it metres wide from outside of the area.

But Torino eventually sealed it in dramatic circumstances. Andreolli showed his long ball skills once more, setting up Cedric Konan a race with Alex Calderoni for the ball, which the Ivorian won, but Calderoni pulled him down. Referee didn't hesitate, pointed at a spot and sent Atalanta's goalkeeper out of the match with all subs made.

D'Acol went to goal after coming on as a substitute minutes earlier, but he couldn't do anything with a precise Elvis Abbruscato effort. Neither team did anything in remaining 15 minutes.

Torino didn't get any advantage with this hard-fought win though as all the important opponents recieved three new points in table aswell.

Torino: 1-Marcelo Grohe; 4-Marco Andreolli, 5-Gabriel Tamas, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 22-Iacopo Balestri (59' 16-Giuseppe Pancaro); 7-Stefano Fiore (30' 13-Antonio Di Natale), 28-Silva, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 11-Roberto Stellone (59' 20-Cedric Konan), 19-Elvis Abbruscato

Cautioned

: None

Other Results

Bologna 0:1 Roma
Empoli 1:2 Sampdoria
Fiorentina 2:1 Siena
Juventus 1:0 Ascoli
Lazio 3:2 Catania
Milan 2:0 Chievo
Napoli 1:0 Messina
Parma 1:0 Palermo
Udinese 0:2 Inter

Torino Position: 1st

Visit Torino Channel FM on YouTube

Tanel · 06-07-07, 06:04 PM

Milan - Torino

22nd of December 2007
Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milano
Italian Serie A 2007/2008; Week 15

4'

Daniel Alves - 7' 66'

Elvis Abbruscato

Match Highlights (5:40)

Elvis Abbruscato made sure that Torino's Scudetto dreams got another boost away from home as Torino got a win againist 10-men Milan side.

Torino was having slight injury problems going to the match, while Clarence Seedorf was out of Milan's midfield, Tanel Tursk boys had to do without Lionel Mathis, Simone Barone and Stefano Fiore.

Despite that Torino side hoped to continue their hot form and atleast a rob a point from Milano againist much more known opponents who were sitting far behind in table.

And already at the start, Milan had problems handling the "magical duo" of Alessandro Rosina and Elvis Abbruscato. Rosina intercepted the ball in front of his own area, to make a run down to the half-way where he was tackled the ball away, but it fell straight to Abbruscato who continued the run and seemed set for one on one with Dida before Dani Alves came from behind and bringed him down.

Referee showed Brazilian a straight red card and right-back left the pitch without even touching the ball once during game.

Milan was shocked with Alves letting the team down and Alessandro Nesta gave a horrible pass to Andrea Barzagli which Rosina managed to intercept and start another mazy run down the middle of the pitch. He spoted Abbruscato freeing next to him, but his pass took a deflection of Nesta. It was a lucky deflection though, the ball went past Dida and Abbruscato still got the ball, converting it to empty net.

Antonio Di Natale had a bad effort from a free-kick 30 metres out as the ball flew over the goal and Marcelo Grohe got his first real touch in the game when he made an amazing save on Julio Baptista shot heading towards far post.

At other end, Rosina's cross was punched out of the area by Dida, where Nikola Lazetic crossed for Abbruscato whose header went over the goal.

Torino was taking full advantage of one extra man and eventhough Kakha Kaladze tackled the ball away from Alessandro Rosina, it fell to Roberto Stellone who went past two to send his shot wide of the goal from the edge of the area.

Di Natale gave a great cross for Nikola Lazetic in 6-yard box, but Dida made an amazing reaction save to deny Lazetic's header from going into the net at far post.

Dida made even more fabolous save, when Lazetic turned into a provider for Abbruscato, who turned around in box and seemed to have easy goal at near post, but Dida's last second rescue was enough to deny Italian striker another goal.

Dida continued to stun the crowd and keep Milan alive as he made a double save on Abbruscato at near post again with Nikola Lazetic providing the cross.

Marcelo Grohe had to show to his counter-part that he aren't any worse and saved a low Ricardo Oliveira shot at near post.

Roberto Stellone gave a brilliant through pass to Elvis Abbruscato, who kept off a Nesta challenge, but took too much time with the shot and had it saved at near post.

Rosina's header was catched with a great save by Dida and Kaka's central shot was punched to safety by Grohe.

Stellone picked up Abbruscato run again with a lovely pass, but with two defenders on him, Abbruscato couldn't get a good enough shot to beat Dida and had to grab his head again in disbelief.

At start of second half, Torino continued the pressure when they had three shots blocked in Milan area. And the headless game of the Milanese side continued when Gabriel Tamas was left totally uncovered on the edge of the area during a throw-in, but luckily for Milan, his shot was saved by Dida.

Cacau and Konan came in for Torino, but it was Milan who got the following chance through a rather unregular source. Gennaro Gattuso went past three Torino players, but couldn't get his shot on target when facing Grohe in box and hit wide of the far post.

It proved costly as Torino got their second minutes later. Schiavi sent a long ball foward for Cacau, who was racing with Dida for the ball, two Brazilians up againist eachother, Cacau decided to brilliantly head the ball over Dida as Abbruscato picked it up and got another empty net.

Abbruscato couldn't beat Dida face to face, but still managed to score two goals

Kaladze headed wide from corner and Rosina's deflected effort was saved by Dida for Nesta to clear.

Win extended Torino's lead at the top to 4 points and Elvis Abbruscato became the Serie A top goalscorer with twelve from his thirteen games.

Torino: 1-Marcelo Grohe; 4-Marco Andreolli, 5-Gabriel Tamas, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 22-Iacopo Balestri; 13-Antonio Di Natale (60' 20-Cedric Konan), 28-Silva, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 11-Roberto Stellone (60' 9-Cacau), 19-Elvis Abbruscato

Cautioned : None

Other Result

Palermo 1-1 Sampdoria

Torino Position: 1st

Visit Torino Channel FM on YouTube

Tanel · 06-07-07, 06:45 PM

Torino Will Spend In January

29th of December, Turin - Several reports say that Torino could be buying a new left-back in January already as Urbano Cairo promised Tursk funds for the move.

Tursk is a big fan of Pasqual

Manager Tanel Tursk stated in media after game with Ajax that they are looking for a new left-back to solve problems on that position.

Iacopo Balestri and Giuseppe Pancaro are ageing in Tursk eyes and don't offer anything but consistent average performances to Torino.

Eventhough there's a problem that Tursk would want to sign three full-backs at one time. He already has a verbal agreement of bringing in Argentine U21 starlet Cecilio Velazquez with both Boca Juniors and the player himself, but if he could go for one full-back only, then this move would be made in summer like originally planned.

It's reported that out of many possible targets from earlier this week, Tursk has ruled out the arrival of Javier Garrido, Liam Rosenior and Marcell Jansen.

His roster still consists of Manuel Pasqual, Razvan Dinca Rat, Marco Pisano, Maxwell, Alex and Urby Emanuelsson.

He's also interested in Velazquez and Vicenza's Simone Padoin.

Tursk denied the claims of extra funds on telephone, insisting that he is very happy with the players at his disposal and he'll stick to the squad until the end of the season.

"Pancaro's and Balestri's contracts will run out then. We won't sign any players before that, but we've agreed with both that they'll leave at the end of the season. We're fine the way we are," stated Tursk.

Tanel · 06-07-07, 10:45 PM

Pasqual Hours Away From Torino
By Unknown Author - Created on 01 Jan 2008

Italian Serie A leaders Torino are just a night of sleep away from signing Manuel Pasqual from Fiorentina according to several reports around the media

Torino who is looking to sign a left-back before Serie A season restarts for them on the 6th of January with a visit to Napoli, is planing to add Pasqual to their charts as soon as possible.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Torino bidded sum of 8 million pounds to Fiorentina for the services of the Italian international Pasqual.

Fiorentina's transfer guru Pantaleo Corvino told that there are no negotiaons between the clubs and the left-back is staying put.

"He is untransferable for us. Just like many other players. We are just behind Torino in the table. Why would we strenghten our direct rivals for the title which we plan to challenge on," he told.

Torino has declined to comment the news, while Fiorentina have stated on their offical site that those reports are unfounded.

It's reported that if the deals go through Torino will offer Pasqual an half million pound raise to his current contract in Fiorentina.

His agent was spoted in Turin on the evening, entering to the Torino offices, while talking to Pasqual on the phone.

Meanwhile Torino is set to announce the arrivals of several promising stars tomorrow, including Danish U21 international Jan Johanssen.

**John10** · 07-07-07, 01:57 PM

Well done mate great result!!

Tanel · 07-07-07, 05:19 PM

Six New Youngsters

Torino completed the signing of six new youngsters for the Primavera team with the transfer window opening.

17-year old Danish defensive midfielder Jan Johanssen joined from Brondby, 20-year old Swedish goalkeeper Markus Eskilsson signed from Höllviken, 17-year old Tunisian goalkepeer Geoffrey Leclerq signed from CS Sfaxien, 17-year old Argentine midfielders Eduardo Leguizamon and Matias Sproat from Gimanasia (LP) and 17-year old Argentine central midfielder Roberto Gutierrez from Argentinos.

Club scout Foued Sandjak, who discovered the talented Argentine players, and also Torino's current starters Marcelo Grohe and Silva, praised them: "They are all with extra-ordinary South-American talent. I believe that Torino can provide them with right guidance and they can learn and become world known players for their class on pitch and outside of it."

"I personally wanted to sign them in January and not in summer, so by next season they could get some experience for Italy's game. They have enough talent to improve this club to a new level," told manager Tanel Tursk.

Tursk will go to Torino's new youth tomorrow for Primavera team training.

Tanel · 07-07-07, 07:45 PM

Pasqual Deal Collapses

Deal involving Manuel Pasqual's move from Fiorentina to Torino has collapsed according to an anonymous inside source as the defenders wage demands were too high for Turin club to agree with.

Eventhough there has been no words about the transfer in past days by neither clubs officals who deny everything, it was known that Torino was negotiating with Pasqual's agent and Fiorentina for the transfer.

Eight million transfer was accepted just yesterday and with transfer window open today, Torino hoped to seal it as quick as possible, but meeting with the agent didn't go as planned.

Torino was ready to offer full-back a deal of 2,3 million euros per year, but defenders claims were for half million more and Torino couldn't offer such amount with 8 million transfer price.

"I admit we've talked with Pasqual and Fiorentina, but that was only about the availability of his. And the answer was clear no which we respect," told Tursk on a press-conference.

"I don't want to keep the fans waiting and needing to believe media. I admit that we're in middle of negotiatons at the moment. But with two very different players from Pasqual," Tursk uncovered the secret of additional transfer budget.

"Our transfer team is doing it's best to get the player for our next Serie A game, but I don't think it's possible at the moment."

It's likely that Tursk is buying Marco Pisano of Palermo, but there is no sign of meeting between two teams or player's agent.

But Tursk did give a strong hint on the arrival of Simone Padoin of Vicenza, "Pasqual's agent in our offices. You chould check who are his other players."

Gastone Rizzo became the agent of Padoin just last summer.

Vincenzo Rocci, 2nd of January 2008

Tanel · 08-07-07, 03:03 PM

Pisano plus two for Torino!

Turin, 5th of January - Torino today morning completed the transfers of Marco Pisano, Cecilio Velazquez and Simone Padoin for a combined 8,5 million pounds.

Pisano switches pink for maroon

Torino's offical site gave a great morning start for club fans with announcement of deals at very early. The press-conference was held at team's training ground at noon before the team headed for a trip to Naples.

It was rumoured that Pisano was only Tursk's second choice after deal with Manuel Pasqual collapsed so he had money for him and two other players.

"It's not true. From the day the transfer market opened, we started negotiations with both Pisano and Palermo. We're happy that they are here now. Our transfer team did a great job and made everything possible within smallest possible time while negotiating for three players at the same time," he told.

"Pisano is a great full-back. He can be one of Italy's best, if he already isn't one, in a short space of time with right guidance. He can offer us cover at both sides of the field which makes him even more valuable for us in future," he praised the 26-year old left-back.

The rumoured amount paid for the full-back was 3,6 million, just slightly more than Torino paid for central midfielder Simone Padoin from Vicenza. The 23-year old can also play at left-back or right-back to Tursk's delight and has experience at U21 level.

"Simone is a footballer with great potential and I spoted him playing for Vicenza when I was going to check one other player on a free weekend at the start of the season," Tursk told media about Padoin.

Padoin was delighted himself, "It's a dream move for me and I'm very happy that I didn't have to wait too much to get into a top club. I'll want to work hard and fight for the first team place in here which isn't easy againist the likes of Simone Barone and Silva."

Tursk's third signing, just 17-year old left-back and Argentina's man of future, Cecilio Velazquez, couldn't be in Turin as he was on duty with his country's U23 side who he scored a goal for the last night.

Velazquez arrived from Boca Juniors after making 20 games over past two seasons in local league and winning himself a regular place in U20 squad of the country, alongside River central defender Leandro Del Bosco, who is rumoured to join Turin side for next season.

Both Padoin and Pisano will travel with the team to Naples and the later could very well be handed his debut.

Tanel · 08-07-07, 06:01 PM

Napoli - Torino

6th of January 2008
San Paolo, Naples
Italian Serie A 2007/2008; Week 16

15'

Mario Reguiero, 45+2' (Pen)

Roberto De Zerbi - 63'

Cacau

Match Highlights (5:05)

Two dubious goals gave Torino a defeat in Serie A first match after the break in a match againist Napoli at famous San Paolo stadium.

There were missing several players, most importantly goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe who was away on international duty with Brazil U23 side and fighting for an Olympic ticket. New buy Cecilio Velazquez was away for same reasons with Argentina.

Though there were even more trouble with injuries. Grohe's internatinal leave couldn't come at any worse time as second choice goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli missed the game with a flu, leaving off-form Andre Zuba as a only option left and young 17-year old Geoffrey Leclercq was watching on the bench.

Stefano Fiore, Simone Barone and Lionel Mathis were out aswell, but Marco Pisano was given a debut with a shirt number six. Another new-comer Simone Padoin didn't make it to the bench.

Match took a long before teams started attacking more and on 14th minute Elvis Abbruscato headed a Nikola Lazetic cross just over.

Less than minute later, Silva went past several Napoli defenders, but was stoped by brilliant last ditch tackle of Bruno Cirillo which sparked off a counter-attacking move of Napoli which led to a goal.

But there was strong doubts on offsides on Regueiro who seemed to be behind the defence before the ball was passed to him, but linesman didn't do anything and Regueiro saw no resistance from Zuba as the Brazilian allowed him to score in near post.

Elvis Abbruscato tried to beat Napoli's new goalkeeper Tim Howard at the other end, but couldn't unlock the Napoli goal with a shot from Alessandro Rosina pass.

Roberto De Zerbi's free-kick went wide, but Roberto Stellone had much better chance at the other end, when he was denied by Tim Howard at near post after a long run to the box.

Torino was dominating, but Silva's two efforts from distance didn't trouble Howard and Elvis Abbruscato's low shot was brilliantly tipped wide by him again after Serie A top scorer recieved the ball from Antonio Di Natale.

From following corner, Christian Bucchi almost scored an own-goal, but Howard managed to punch it clear.

More controversy came in the dying seconds of the first half though, Alessandro Rosina jumped for the ball with Regueiro, but referee noticed a very small push by Rosina in the are and pointed to the spot. It was certainly a very soft decision by the referee. Roberto De Zerbi went to convert the chance.

Cedric Konan joined the game for Antonio Di Natale in the second half, but as his presence didn't seem to make much difference, Tursk decided to bring more new blood into the game with replacing Stellone with Cacau on 52nd minute.

Napoli's two efforts from distance didn't seem to threaten the goal and Torino striked back with a nice counter-attacking move.

The ball went through Nikola Lazetic, Alessandro Rosina and Elvis Abbruscato before reaching Cedric Konan who out-paced the defenders, but had his shot saved by Howard, fortunately on to the feet of Cacau who tapped it in to give Torino a climpse of hope.

And Rosina almost used it ten minutes before the end, but he blasted over from a good position on the edge of the area with his powerful effort flying over the goal.

It was Torino's first defeat since losing to Lazio early in November, but with favourable results from other matches - Torino still remains as first with a comfortable four point lead.

Torino: 32-Andre Zuba; 4-Marco Andreolli, 5-Gabriel Tamas, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 6-Marco Pisano; 13-Antonio Di Natale (45' 20-Cedric Konan), 28-Silva, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 11-Roberto Stellone (52' 9-Cacau), 19-Elvis Abbruscato

Cautioned

: None

Other Results

Atalanta 0:0 Chievo Verona
Bologna 0:2 Inter
Lazio 2:1 Siena
Milan 2:0 Catania
Parma 2:2 Roma
Udinese 0:1 Ascoli
Messina 1:0 Palermo
Empoli 0:0 Fiorentina
Juventus 0:3 Sampdoria

Torino Position: 1st

Visit Torino Channel FM at YouTube

Tanel · 08-07-07, 09:10 PM

Torino - Bologna

13th of January 2008
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Italian Serie A 2007/2008; Week 17

45+2'

Nikola Lazetic, 71' (Og)

Sebastian Romero - 27'

Tsvestan Genkov, 90+2' (Og)

Marco Andreolli

Match Highlights

Torino's Scudetto hopes got a second hit in short space of time when they had a dramatic draw with bottom of the league Bologna as Marco Andreolli scored a last minute own goal.

Torino was hoping to bounce back from Napoli defeat with Marcelo Grohe returning to the squad after playing twice for Brazil in Olympic qualifiers. Another South-American international Cecilio Velazquez didn't make it to the squad due to tired legs though as he played day later than Grohe.

Marco Pisano was handed another start in Granata shirt, while Simone Padoin was on the bench for the first time. Stefano Fiore, Simone Barone and Lionel Mathis were still out with an injury.

Bologna, who sit at the bottom of the table in the league, got a good start, but Tsvestan Genkov shot wide with a powerful effort from the edge of the area.

Torino got very close to the first goal though, when Antonio Di Natale's shot from Nikola Lazetic pass was deflected off defender to the post.

Bologna tried to break the deadlock minute later at the other end, but Bellucci hit the side-netting with a low shot after recieving a cross from the right wing.

Roberto Stellone went on a nice run from side of the pitch to Bologna's penalty area and managed to get a shot aswell, but his effort was easy for Rami Shaaban to parry at near post.

Bellucci fired harmlessly wide at the other end before he gave the pass to Genkov, who went past Gabriel Tamas and Marco Andreolli, to make a brilliant finish low into right-hand post.

Silva shot a free-kick wide from a good distance, but Torino did got a goal back in bizzare fashion. Nikola Lazetic's low cross was missed by absolutely everyone in the box, even marksman Elvis Abbruscato, and it bounced into the far post as the goalkeeper had come out. It was Torino's second cross that turned into a goal this season.

Marcelo Grohe made a great save on Genkov's header minutes into the second half and he had to save Granata once more as Pisano's unimpressive start to Torino career continud with a bad pass to Raffaele Schiavi which was intercepted by Jorge Molino. Molino got a good chance to shoot from an angle after some running, but Grohe managed to get his hands to it and keep it out.

Cacau and Simone Padoin joined in for Stellone and Pisano and it was Padoin's first ever ball touch in Torino shirt that created a goal. He recieved the ball from Alessandro Rosina's corner right after coming in and sent a volley towards far-post which Shaaban saved againist his own player Sebastian Romero and into the own goal it went off defenders chest.

Silva sent a good Rosina pass into the sidenet and it proved costly when Bologna equalized at the final minute. Degen's shot was brilliantly saved by Grohe, but it was too late to stop for Andreolli who went there in case Grohe couldn't save the shot and the ball fell onto his feet and went over the line before Andreolli got a second touch.

92nd minute own-goal meant drama for the home-side who now have given away five points againist newly promoted sides after a great run of wins. Draw melts Torino's lead to just one point in table.

Torino: 1-Marcelo Grohe; 4-Marco Andreolli, 5-Gabriel Tamas, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 6-Marco Pisano (69' 12-Simone Padoin); 13-Antonio Di Natale, 28-Silva, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 11-Roberto Stellone (69' 9-Cacau), 19-Elvis Abbruscato

Cautioned : None

Other Results

Siena 1:0 Empoli
Inter 2:0 Atalnta
Ascoli 1:1 Milan
Catania 0:1 Juventus
Chievo 2:0 Udinese
Messina 0:0 Parma
Palermo 0:2 Fiorentina
Sampdoria 2:1 Lazio

Torino Position: 1st

Visit Torino Channel FM at YouTube

Tanel · 09-07-07, 01:12 PM

Torino - Parma

16th of January 2008
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Italian Serie A 2007/2008; Week 18

12'

Elvis Abbruscato, 44'

Silva - 36'

Julio Cruz

Match Highlights (4:12)

Torino got back to winning ways with a deserved 2:1 victory over Parma in front of the home crowd with Elvis Abbruscato and Silva grabbing the goals.

Torino was having lots of trouble. Cedric Konan went to African Cup of Nations while Marcelo Grohe and Cecilio Velazquez returned to South-America for a fight for Olympic place. Meanwhile Lionel Mathis, Simone Barone and Stefano Fiore were still out.

Cristiano Lupatelli started in goal, but had nothing to when Ivica Dragutinovic hit his shot into the sidenetting ten minutes into the game.

It was Torino who grabbed the lead, Marco Pisano got a cross to Elvis Abbruscato which was headed in without problems by the Serie A top goalscorer from few metres.

Elvis Abbruscato combined great with Roberto Stellone and went for one on one with Kinsky in Parma goal, but his shot was saved.

Cristiano Lupatelli punched Hahne's cross over from top corner as it would've gone in otherwise.

At other end Elvis Abbruscato went on a dazzling run past two defenders, but had a shot saved. It seemed that Roberto Stellone got an easy goal from the rebound but Kinsky made a super recovery and stoped in on line and Dragutinovic blocked Stellone's second effort.

Marco Pisano sent Alessandro Rosina's corner kick not much over the near post, but the playmaker of Torino limped off the pitch minutes after for Simone Padoin.

Domenico Morfeo's free-kick was punched away by Lupatelli, but he had nothing to do when minute later Morfeo and Cruz torned apart Torino's defence with quick passing play and Cruz went past to Schiavi to score a low finish into the near post.

Torino managed to get their lead back less than ten minutes later when the ball was cleared as far as Silva and the Brazilian midfielder went to make his trademark curling shot from the edge of the area, which beat Kinsky and flew into the near post.

Young midfielder has really bloomed over last couple of months

Domenico Morfeo's header that flew over started a boring second half and minutes after Claudio De Sousa came in to replace Roberto Stellone.

Antonio Di Natale's free-kick went high and wide, but Elvis Abbruscato took care of the miss of the week when he banged a low Lazetic cross over the goal from edge of the 6-yard box without no-one marking him.

Luis Figo made his return to the Granata shirt, but didn't have much effect and Domenico Morfeo and Elvis Abbruscato had decent efforts saved at either end.

Win turned around Torino's bad results from Bologna and Napoli and extended their lead in Serie A for atleast one more week. But there are worries over Alessandro Rosina's injury.

Torino: 26-Cristiano Lupatelli; 4-Marco Andreolli, 5-Gabriel Tamas, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 6-Marco Pisano; 13-Antonio Di Natale (82' 77-Luis Figo), 28-Silva, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina (30' 12-Simone Padoin); 11-Roberto Stellone (67' 44-Claudio De Sousa), 19-Elvis Abbruscato

Cautioned : 39' Marco Andreolli

Other Results

Fiorentina 2:1 Lazio
Catania 2:0 Udinese

Torino Position: 1st

Visit Torino Channel FM at YouTube

Tanel · 09-07-07, 05:46 PM

Nicola Mitea Joins Torino On Loan

Torino and Ajax today have reached an agreement of loaning Ajax winger Nicola Mitea to Torino for the rest of the season.

Nicola Mitea played for Dinamo Bucaresti before joining Ajax in 2003 and impressed in the side until picking up an injury in 2005 that sidelined him for a long time.

"We need Mitea because we lack of players currently with all the injuries and international duties. And even if all players are fit at one point, we'll have lots of tired legs, so we need every extra help we can get," told Tursk to offical site.

"Mitea is a great talent. I think I can make him a good player for Torino and he'll help us a lot in our fight for the title. As Cedric Konan now left for African Cup of Nations, we needed a new player to take his place in line-up."

"I'm happy that I was picked up by Torino. They are a great club and have proved that over last years. You need to have some luck to go to Serie A's first placed club in middle of the season. I guess I had some," said Romanian international on brief interview.

Tanel · 09-07-07, 10:04 PM

Just wanted to let you know that I'll take two day break from writing stories at the moment. So please leave comments for my story and I'm open for discussion during the time. I think I deserve some time days without thinking of which words to use in updates.

Tanel · 12-07-07, 10:14 PM

And we're back!

Torino - Messina

20th of January 2008
San Filippo, Messina
Italian Serie A 2007/2008; Week 19

8'

Marco Zanchi - 1'

Roberto Stellone, 69'

Silva, 83'

Elvis Abbruscato

Match Highlights (3:29)

Torino continued the recovery from two shock results againist Bologna and Napoli with goals from Silva, Elvis Abbruscato and a first minute striker of Roberto Stellone.

Torino was having loads of problembs with missing player as teams worry list now also includes of captain Alessandro Rosina. And alongside him, Lional Mathis, Stefano Fiore, Simone Barone, Cedric Konan, Marcelo Grohe and Cecilio Velazquez missed the game.

New-boy Nicolae Mitea was on bench while Simone Padoin was handed his first ever Torino start due to several missing players.

Torino got off to a dream start, scoring just 24 seconds into the match despite Messina kicking the ball off. Fantastic move of nearly ten passes freed up a run for Roberto Stellone and the striker didn't miss the one on one situation after Abbruscato headed the ball down for him.

Roberto Stellone scored his first of the New Year and 100th league goal of the career

Torino could've doubled the lead just minutes later, Simone Padoin's long pass finding Stellone who sent a low pass for Elvis Abbruscato seven metres from goal. The striker got his shot on goal, but he gave Marco Storari an opportunity to save it by shooting it rather central and the goalkeeper used his opportunity well by parrying it away.

And the miss proved costly when Marco Zanchi headed in a corner at the other end just four minutes later.

Torino didn't let the goal to disturb them though and continued attacking. Simone Padoins header from Antonio Di Natale's corner got saved back in front of goal where Nikola Lazetic banged it over.

Abbruscato got another chance to get his name on the scoresheet after making a fifty metre run and being left alone with goalkeeper at near post, but again he couldn't beat Storari who made a super-save.

Though Storari continued to frustrate the former-Arezzo man when Abbruscato thought he had done all he could when sending in Antonio Di Natale's cross high towards the near top corner, but Storari got his fingertips to it with a brilliant reaction and tipped it wide.

Abbruscato then tried from distance, but that central effort was punched over by Storari.

Messina's Andre Leone sideneted a deflected free-kick from tough angle just before the break.

Elvis Abbruscato's was having problems with 'lady luck' in this sunday afternoon and saw his volley go just over the net from a brilliant Marco Pisano long ball after the restart.

Roberto Stellone's free-kick went wide from the edge of the area while Marco Zanchi's effort from another corner kick was stoped near the top corner by Cristiano Lupatelli in Torino's goal.

Diego De Ascentis and Nicolae Mitea came on to add a little spice to the game and soon after their arrival, game went much more open.

Elvis Abbruscato saw another shot saved by goalkeeper when the two were face to face whlie Messina had two efforts in short space of time saved by Lupatelli.

On 69th minute Torino got what they wanted and deserved though when Roberto Stellone earned a free-kick and Silva converted it with a slight help from the wall with a deflection as the ball flew low into the far post.

Abbruscato had another one on one situation saved and Roberto Soldado shot the ball millimetres wide of the far post from a good position before Abbruscato finally scored.

Striker was spoted by a brilliant pass from Silva and he rounded the goalkeeper to send a low ball into the net at near post and make it 3-1 and secure the game.

Thiam's late free-kick didn't even trouble Torino who continue their adventure at the top of the Serie A after this victory.

Torino: 26-Cristiano Lupatelli; 4-Marco Andreolli, 5-Gabriel Tamas, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 6-Marco Pisano; 13-Antonio Di Natale, 28-Silva, 12-Siomne Padoin (62' 15-Diego De Ascentis), 17-Nikola Lazetic (62' 36-Nicolae Mitea); 11-Roberto Stellone, 19-Elvis Abbruscato

Cautioned : None

Other Results

Atalanta 0:1 Catania
Bologna 2:1 Ascoli
Lazio 0:0 Empoli
Napoli 0:2 Chievo
Palermo 1:2 Roma
Parma 0:2 Inter
Juventus 3:1 Fiorentina
Udinese 2:3 Sampdoria
Milan 2:0 Siena

Torino Position: 1st

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**VeggiSmurf** · 13-07-07, 06:18 AM

Nice wins. to bad u lost to Napoli. U made some good buys KUTGW