Dreams Of Beating Juventus - Page 4 - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

Tanel · 02-01-07, 09:18 PM

Manager's Corner

Torino manager Tanel Tursk reveals his transfer plans, promises a surprise and looks back at fantastic month of December.

Hello Toro Fans!

December was a month of dreams for us. Almost, that Inter result was the only bad one, I wish we would've won, but we didn't.

We had fine results from every other game though. Espescially pleasing is the Palermo Coppa Italia win. We overcome a tough situation and as a reward we play Juventus ten days from now.

The players were really motivated and they knew how much fans wanted the derby again. And lots of them wanted it too very much, it's great.

All our team is motivated and we always go for win, but without too much arrogance and overconfidence. That's one of the reasons why we've gotten such great results this year.

We're third in the table and enjoyed some great triumps in the Serie A aswell - againist Roma, Parma and Palermo again to make it very memorable. We had some injury problems over the course of the month, but we managed to deal with those as a real team and now we'll look to improve our fortunes for next such incidents.

And probably what fans have been waiting for. Due to the lack of money we cannot spend big bucks and we'll be looking for loans more. There aren't much great players available in the January transfer window, but couple of loans are great possibilty.

Our scouts that are sent around Europe, Africa and Asia have found us couple of hot talents and in the end of December young Uzbekistan full-back Vitaly Demissov came to trial with us and he played for the youth team. I got a positive view on him and I will sit down with the Primavera coach to discuss his signing. His club has given us the price already and it's cheap.

I'm worried with our current winger situation though. We have some constant injuries there and I need to find atleast one extra player, if not two to give myself the needed cover to avoid playing full-backs as midfielder. I've got my eyes on Santiago Solari, dos Santos from Bayern and one young Belgium midfielder De Ceul from some Dutch club.

Though there is also one very big name involved and we've reached an agreement with him and his club already, but let it be a surprise.

Other problem is a striker as we need to play Konan as a winger or an attacking midfielder a lot so we need a fourth man. Again we've talked to Inter about young Goran Slavkovski and Julio Cruz.

Roberto Cuevas will leave during the transfer window as he failed to adapt here and I wish him all the best. Also Fabio Gallo has agreed a move to Serie C2 with Frosione.

Obviously I need to sign some new contracts and we've got a gentlemans agreement with Stefano Fiore, Cedric Konan and Cristiano Lupatelli, who are currently on loan with us, that they'll sign at the end of season as their contracts end.

Toro For Scudetto! And Happy New Year!

Tanel Tursk
1st of January 2007

Tanel · 03-01-07, 04:09 PM

Updated: Jan. 05, 2007

TORINO SIGN FIGO

Torino, who sit 3rd in the Serie A table, have today announced that they have signed out-of-favour Inter player Luis Figo on loan!

The former Portugese international was put on the transfer list this January and Torino manager Tanel Tursk, who has constantly noted up his fan-relationship with Inter, was quick to grab him, though on loan due to the lack of transfer funds in Torino.

If everything goes well the former Real Madrid and Barcelona player may sign a full-time contract with the Turin outfit in summer, but it's highly unlikely that the Estonian manager wants the services of the 34-year old winger for much long.

Torino has been battling with injuries on the wing this season and they were looking for couple of new wingers in January. Figo will join Italian Stefano Fiore, Serbian Nikola Lazetic and Ivorian Cedric Konan for the fight for the two places in the starting line-up. Gianluca Comotto, Alessandro Rosina, Iacopo Balestri have played as wingers this season aswell.

"I'm extremely delighted to have such legendary player in our outfit. He needs to be given time to adapt to the new club and he hasn't played for quite a while in Inter so he isn't match fit yet," said Torino manager Tanel Tursk shortly on Torino offical website.

It's likely that Figo will make his debut on this Sunday againist Messina already as Fiore, Konan and Lazetic are all out.

Il Granata has also announced that they've signed a 19-year old Uzbekistan international Vitaly Denisov, who can play almost every position in the left wing.

They have retained the services of on-loan goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli, midfielder Stefano Fiore and foward Cedric Konan on permanent basis for next years.

Tanel · 03-01-07, 06:29 PM

Torino - Messina

7th of January 2007
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 18

21'

Elvis Abbruscato, 45'

Roberto Stellone, 66'

Roberto Stellone - 46'

Christian Rigano'

Magical duo of Roberto Stellone and Elvis Abbruscato provided Torino with their fourth successive league victory and shows that the break hasn't done anything bad to the bulls.

Torino was in injury crisis ahead of their game with Messina, but Luis Figo was in the starting line up to make his debut with a number 5 on his back. Cedric Konan, Stefano Fiore and Nikola Lazetic all were sitting on the stands, though the later should be fit for the Wednesdays showdown with Juventus.

Torino knew that win would put them to second place as Milan drawed with Sampdoria at home last night.

The match started with a quick Torino attack, but Simone Barone headed a Gianluca Comotto cross wide.

Then Christian Rigano' gave some problems with Torino with his headers, once shot just a bit wide and then minute later he headed over.

Match started off open and the first brilliant chance game in 11th minute already, Marco Di Loreto shot was pushed away by Marco Storari to the path of Raffaele Schiavi, but in middle of the area with the ball on his foot the central defender couldn't keep his mind clear and shot softly into goalkeepers path.

Vampeta sent his free-kick miles over and Luis Figo showed his skills with a bomb from 25 meters that flew just wide.

The opener game just a minute after. Goal-kick made by Storari fell to Alessandro Rosina who sent the ball to Elvis Abbruscato who didn't have much problems with posing his skills by turning past an opponent and then also fooling the goalkeeper to sent the ball into back post.

Abbruscato's 20th goal in all competitions!

Marco Storari prevented Stellone for doubling the lead with a stunning save on the striker's header and Vasilis Tsiartis shot wide from 30 meters as Messina couldn't break into the box.

Torino got a vital goal just before the break with an amazing two-man move.

Gianluca Comotto's throw-in was played back to him a bit high and wide by Roberto Stellone, Comotto though managed to save the ball by making a jump to hit a powerful cross to Stellone in the box while being in the air. Stellone then brillinatly chested the ball down and turned around to sent it to the back post.

Luis Figo got knocked just before half-time and another new player Vitaly Demisov came on for him.

It wasn't the best start for the Uzbekistan international, his wrong pass in attack started a Messina counter-attack which was lead by Sergio Floccari. Floccari's run down the wing ended up with a cross to Christian Rigano' who headed it in from few meters. Though Cristiano Lupatelli should've ran out in that case and Giuseppe Pancaro's marking was very questionable.

Stellone was played through one on one by Elvis Abbruscato, but the striker failed to score his second as Storari saved.

The same man was probably the only one keeping Messina from getting their biggest loss this season as he soon after made a great double save on Roberto Stellone's header and Alessandro Rosina's low follow-up shot.

But Torino finally got their third, Stellone skined an opponent before hitting Raffaele Schiavi's long pass over the stranded Storari into the back post.

Stellone scores his second!

In the closing minutes Iacopo Balestri got injuried and in-form striking pair of Stellone and Abbruscato almost made another goal, but Stellone header after an Abbruscato cross was again saved by Storari.

The victory puts Torino to the 2nd place, one point ahead of Milan and three ahead of Chievo Verona, but the Granata attention is turned to Wednesday's fixture with Juventus instead.

Torino: 28-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 5-Luis Figo (45' 33-Vitaly Denisov), 8-Simone Barone, 22-Iacopo Balestri (89' 20-Claudio Ferrarese); 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato

, 11-Roberto Stellone

Cautioned : 10' Luis Figo, 70' Elvis Abbruscato

Other Results

Catania 1-0 Livorno
Ascoli 0-0 Siena
Atalanta 2-0 Parma
Chievo 0-0 Udinese
Lazio 1-1 Empoli
Reggina 0-5 Inter
Fiorentina 1-2 Roma
Milan 2-2 Sampdoria
Cagliari 1-2 Palermo

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 03-01-07, 09:25 PM

09/01/2007 18.32

Torino Hoping To Beat Juventus
The Italy's number one sporting event tomorrow without a shadow of doubt is the local derby between Torino and Juventus in Coppa Italia. Torino striker Elvis Abbruscato promises goals.

Elvis Abbruscato

The two sides last met in 2002/2003, but Torino lost both of the matches back then. The last victory dates back to year 1995, when Torino won 3:2.

The less glorious side though now sits in the third place of Serie A while their neighbours Juventus have to fight for promotion in Serie B after the Calciopoli scandal.

Elvis Abbruscato is the top scorer in both Coppa Italia and Serie A and he hopes to add to his tally in the derby match aswell.

"I want to get the victory and score some goals past Buffon, in both legs. This would probably be the best moment of the season even when we could get into the Champions League," told the striker who has 20 goals all-together in two competitions, 14 in Serie A and 6 in Coppa Italia.

The match held tomorrow in Stadio Olimpico will be shown live on over 100 countries and it's predicted to have tens of millions viewers.

"It's a big day for Torino. A victory would be the best way to remark the era of victorious Torino and we could start marching for glory from now. I'm confident that our players understand the meaning of this game as many of them are Torino thick and through," told Torino manager Tanel Tursk.

"We'll go to win. Anything but a win tomorrow is out of question for us. It'd be ashame to lose to a Serie B side," he continued.

"I sincerely hope that the referees haven't gotten any calls last night and no Maserati's had to be given out to the referee designators," he sarcastically noted at the Calciopoli scandal for the finale.

Tanel · 04-01-07, 05:21 PM

Torino - Juventus

10th of January 2007
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Coppa Italia 2006/2007 - Quarter-Final - Leg 1

7'

Elvis Abbruscato, 13'

Simone Barone - 1'

Alessandro Del Piero, 12'

Alessandro Birindelli

Torino got a win in a memorable, but rather boring, derby thanks to goals from Elvis Abbruscato and Simone Barone. Birindelli got sent off for elbowing Abbruscato just before the second goal.

The game that both sides of the city had anticipated for years finally arrived. The Turin derby in the Coppa Italia quarter final was no doubt the highlight of the draw and the so-called first "home leg", eventhough both teams share the stadium, was given to Torino.

Torino signed 25-year old Brazilian Renato Algre on free transfer last night, but he wasn't even on the bench. Neither were Stefano Fiore, Iacopo Balestri and Cedric Konan, but Nikola Lazetic made a return.

It was a cathasrophic start for Torino with a quick move from Juventus. Pavel Nedved sent through a Valeri Bojinov run as the Bulgarian crossed for Alessandro Del Piero header in near post. The scoring had opened in the 20 seconds and in Torino fans hearts a cathastrophe was predicted.

Del Piero fast opener

Though the hosts equalized with the first chance after that. Gianluigi Buffon's cleance fell to Roberto Stellone who immediately sent the ball to Elvis Abbruscato as the two were left alone with the Italian international. Abbruscato, who promised to score againist Juventus, did his job very well by comfortably sending the ball into Juventus net one on one with the goalkeeper.

The game got another twist five minutes later with Abbruscato again involved. This time he got hurt by an elbow from Alessandro Birindelli while fighting for a header in the middle of the pitch.

That gave referee no chance but to give out the red card and Torino fans sent wild scream of joy at the decisions which soon after went over to Juventus taunts.

It took just a minute for the one additional man to become useful. Luis Figo fooled Robert Kovac in the wing to send in a low cross to Simone Barone and face to face with a player he won the World Cup together he didn't make a mistake and sent the powerful shot into near post.

Barone turns the game around

Torino continued to put the pressure on the Serie B giants, but Luis Figo's shot was catched by Buffon and Stellone lobbed over the world's best goalkeeper.

Bojinov schooled Raffaele Schiavi on the other end, but his shot was saved by Cristiano Lupatelli and quickl on the other end Figo shot over from 20 meters.

Though then the game calmed down with Gianichedda's badly hit free-kick and Buffon's great save on Alessandro Rosina being the only events in the next half hour.

Vitaly Denisov was given another game by Tanel Tursk as he replaced Giuseppe Pancaro.

The final minutes weren't much create football shown, but still both teams got some chances. Marco Marchionni and Igor Tudor both got close for Juventus with headers and Stellone's effort at the other end was pushed away by Buffon.

The second leg will be held next week with Torino being the favourites to advance after a first derby victory in 12 years.

Torino: 28-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro (65' 33-Vitaly Denisov); 5-Luis Figo, 8-Simone Barone

, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato

, 11-Roberto Stellone

Cautioned

: None

m91 · 04-01-07, 05:42 PM

Fantastic!! you make some real work of it 'nd thats nice to read. Your results are very good with a club like torino. can i get a screen from Elvis Abbruscato?
KUTGW

Tanel · 04-01-07, 11:00 PM

I'll provide you with that when I next open the game. :)

Tanel · 04-01-07, 11:03 PM

Victorious Torino!

Turin, 10th of January 2007 - Torino is flying even higher now after a win againist city-rivals Juventus today in the Coppa Italia thanks to the goals from Simone Barone and Elvis Abbruscato.

Simone Barone gets the fans going after netting the eventual winner

The game opener game after just 20 seconds through an Alessandro Del Piero header, but Torino soon drawed with Elvis Abbruscato and after Alessandro Birindelli got sent off for elbowing the Torino goalscorer, the home team got another goal thanks to Simone Barone sending in a Luis Figo cross.

"It's a great day for us, the fans and for the history of this club. We've won the first battle in the war of rooting the evil out of this city. But there will be great many more battles ahead and this wasn't the biggest one for certain," said triumphant Torino manager Tanel Tursk.

"We'll keep our minds clear at the moment as there is second leg coming up though, but if that'd be a league game we'd party for sure. Unluckily though we have to play in the seperate leagues."

"Birindelli? I actually had a little bit of respect left for the guy, but with this move he proved to be a scum. I'm glad that we won after such thing. Hopefully he'll get banned for long aswell, he deserves it," said Estonian.

"I'm pleased to have scored another goal for this team as I promised, but there is second leg ahead. We had a great match and soon I hope we will be joined by Goran Slavkovski from Inter and we have little bit of new blood in the bench, at the moment Oguro is my only back-up. Though Konan is recovering well," said Elvis Abbruscato who had yet another great game.

The second leg will be held on Olimpico just next week and it may really turn out to be a hot showdown with just one goal seperating the two teams after the first leg.

Tanel · 05-01-07, 07:50 PM

Siena - Torino

14th of January 2007
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Siena
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 19

45'

Erjon Bogdani, 74'

Tomas Locatelli - 20'

Luis Figo, 30'

Simone Barone, 38'

Roberto Stellone, 86'

Simone Barone

The Siena defenders were too busy marking Elvis Abbruscato to notice the other players as they lost 2:4 with Luis Figo scoring his first goal for the club and Simone Barone grabing a brace.

Torino was in high mood as great season continued on Wednesday with a win againist rivals Juventus and Cedric Konan returned to the bench aswell! It was the last game of the first half of the Serie A season.

Stefano Fiore, Iacopo Balestri and Massimo Taibi were out though for Torino, while the 14th placed Siena had no serious injury worries to deal with lately.

The match started off with Alessandro Rosina free-kick flying miles wide of the goal while Cristiano Lupatelli made a great save on Vincent Candela's low shot as the French man was cutting in from wing.

Nikola Lazetic got closer to the goal in similiar way, but he sideneted from five meters after a great run down the wing.

Though Torino eventually did grab the lead, Giuseppe Pancaro's free-kick was headed in by veteran Luis Figo for his first ever goal in Torino shirt after January loan move from Inter.

Luis Figo scores in his 3rd Torino game

It was Giuseppe Pancaro with an assist again ten minutes later. The full-back sent a low pass in from the edge of the box to Simone Barone who bombed in quite a similiar goal to the one he scored againist Juventus midweek to put visitors 2-0 ahead after half hour.

Mario Frick scored over one on one with Lupatelli quickly after, but Torino still grabed the 3rd.

Luis Figo who has gone better with each game so far sent in a low cross to Roberto Stellone and the striker placed a soft shot between the hands of Siena goalkeeper Alex Manninger to give Torino a surprising 3-0 lead.

Though Siena got some life-time just a minute before half-time whistle and in hillarious way. Cristiano Lupatelli took a free-kick from the wing and that hit Erjon Bogdanis head. Albanian striker then still managed to outran Torino defenders for the ball and shot it into empty net.

Bogdani scores a hillarious goal

In the second half Simone Barone's powerful shot got blocked in the sea of men as the start of the half was very eventful.

Not soon after Erjon Bogdani managed to hit it over from 30 meters and it didn't even took a minute for him to make another miss, this time he headed over Candela cross from eight meters.

On the other end Roberto Stellone headed over a Luis Figo free-kick while Diego Souza's curling shot went just wide from 25 meters.

That wasn't it though, Frick lobbed over Lupatelli, but also the goal soon after on a counter attack and Luca Antonioni shot wide. Siena's goalkeeper had to do some job aswell with holding out a powerful Simone Barone shot from the far post.

Siena broke through soon after the game had calmed down though, in the 74th minute Tomas Locatelli headed in an Antonioni cross to make the game interesting for the final 15 minutes.

Tursk responded to the goal with a substitution though, bringing out veterans Luis Figo and Giuseppe Pancaro who both had stellar games for Cedric Konan and Vitaly Denisov respectively.

It paid off and Konan sent Abbruscato through on a run down the wing. The Serie A top-scorer was always under special care in this match, but when he finally got through with the ball he immediately was a threat and his cross found Barone in the near-post.

Sky Italia's unquestionable man of the match didn't show no mersey to Siena, hitting a powerful header past stranded Manninger in near post.

Barone has been in hot form since the break

So even without Abbruscato scoring Torino managed to get quite a memorable win in Siena with Luis Figo opening his account and Barone continuing his great form which he has had since the break ended.

Torino: 28-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro (75' 33-Vitaly Denisov); 5-Luis Figo

(75' 23-Cedric Konan), 8-Simone Barone

, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato, 11-Roberto Stellone

Cautioned : None

Other Results

Chievo 2-0 Lazio
Roma 1-0 Udinese
Empoli 0-1 Milan
Parma 4-1 Cagliari
Livorno 2-0 Ascoli
Palermo 4-0 Reggina
Inter 4-2 Fiorentina
Sampdoria 5-0 Catania
Messina 1-1 Atalanta

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 05-01-07, 10:55 PM

Unstopable Torino is happily second

Simone Barone gave a fantastic display with two goals

Torino's unstopable form continued today in Siena with a 4-2 win and that even without the star striker Elvis Abbruscato scoring. Instead Simone Barone scored a brace, Roberto Stellone added one alongside the first ever Torino goal from Luis Figo!

"I'm delighted that the doctor (Luis Figo) scored a goal today, he is showing improvements every game. Againist Juventus he gave an assist, this time he scored a goal and also gave another assist. His overall display was pleasing aswell," said Tanel Tursk about the Portugese veteran on loan from Inter.

Though Torino fans were a little worried with Elvis Abbruscato not scoring, but Tursk said it was just the extra attention he was getting.

"He had many players covering him, Siena thought that by stoping Elvis they can stop whole Torino, which they found out wasn't true. We took good use of the openers that game with extra players marking Abbruscato. And in the end he got his one run and immediately made a dangerous move which ended with a goal from Barone."

"The overall display I must admit, could've been better, but Siena, surprisingly for me, went very attacking this match and so were we. It was open game and I'm very lucky that we were more decisive upfront. Both teams has basically equal amount of chances," he commented on the overall display.

"I think the main difference was Simone (Barone). He gave some great passes and was at the end of two great moves aswell in the box to score goals. Not that he was bad before, but after the break Simone has been in amazing form and he'll be a driving force all season long I believe," Tursk praised the midfield maestro.

Torino is now preparing for a tie with Juventus in Coppa Italia quarterfinal second leg, but Tursk didn't want to comment on that issue before the press conference on Tuesday.

Boyce · 05-01-07, 11:23 PM

Keep your great story up Tanel....its great!

Tanel · 06-01-07, 12:26 AM

Thanks all for your replies.

Unfortunately I forgot the Abbru screenshot. Will do once i remember.

Tanel · 06-01-07, 10:38 AM

Juventus - Torino

17th of January 2007
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Coppa Italia 2006/2007 - Quarter Final - Leg 2

28'

David Trezeguet, 33'

Pavel Nedved, 75'

Pavel Nedved - 17'

Elvis Abbruscato

Torino fell out of the cup with a classless second half display in the derby as Pavel Nedved scored a brace for Juventus.

It was another big derby match for Torino as this time their future in Coppa Italia was going to get a boost or end. With Stefano Fiore and Iacopo Balestri still out Tanel Tursk had couple of bench worries, but he was hoping for the good games to continue.

'Visitors' Torino got the first chance and went very close, but Raffaele Schiavi failed to score his first ever Torino goal as his header bounced back off the post after an Alessandro Rosina free-kick.

Though Torino seemed to have got off to a great start when Elvis Abbruscato sent the ball in despite the tackle attempt by former Torino captain Federico Balzaretti. Before that hit Gianluigi Buffon had made a great double save on Alessandro Rosina free-kick and Roberto Stellone's follow-up.

Abbruscato goes another step closer to becoming Coppa Italia top scorer

Robert Kovac headed over Juventus first chance of the evening, but on the 28th minute Juventus equalized. Full-back Jonathan Zebina dribbled past Nikola Lazetic to cross in for a David Trezeguet header in the near post.

And soon after Juventus got their second. Both goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli and defenders misjudged the Mauro Camoranesi cross and as an addition to that, also left Pavel Nedved free to tap the ball into empty net in back-post.

Torino got close to equalizer just couple of minutes later, but Alessandro Rosina missed an incredible chance by sending the ball over with a volley from 10 meters after being unmarked for a Nikola Lazetic cross in the box.

Before the half-time whistle Lupatelli made a great save on David Trezeguet after the Frenchman had gotten past Raffaele Schiavi while from the following corner Pavel Nedved shot wide.

At half-time Tursk tried to bring some life and pace into Torino attack by introducing Cedric Konan for Roberto Stellone.

It was a cathastrophic second half though, boring to watch aswell and to avoid it going to extra time Tursk made a surprise choice to bring in Masashi Oguro for Lazetic.

It didn't prove to be a great one and just few minues after the substitution Alessandro Rosina made a bad clearence as the ball fell to Pavel Nedved after the corner. With Lupatelli wondering around the box without any particular reason the Czech had no troubles to put the ball into the back of the net through sea of legs.

Pavel Nedved takes Juventus into the next round

Torino never recovered and it was Juventus who got close to more goals, but Igor Tudor sideneted after a corner and Valeri Bojinov header flew over the goal as Torino was out of the cup.

Torino: 28-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 5-Luis Figo, 8-Simone Barone, 17-Nikola Lazetic (71' 12-Masashi Oguro); 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato, 11-Roberto Stellone (45' 24-Cedric Konan)

Cautioned : None

Tanel · 07-01-07, 09:03 AM

Updated: Jan. 18, 2007

TORINO BOSS SLAMS HIS TEAM

After Torino's dismissal in cup with a 1:3 defeat to rivals Juventus manager Tanel Tursk slamed his team for producing a pathetic and heartless performance.

Torino took the lead in 18th minute and hit the post before letting in David Trezeguet and Pavel Nedved brace. The first leg of the cup tie was won 2:1 by Torino.

"They thought that with the Abbruscato goal everything was done and we could already be checking out on our semi-final opponent. Well it wasn't. You don't go like that to a derby. Every game has a unique importance, you don't go for some aggergate win," he said angryily after the game.

"I'm very disappointed with Cristiano Lupatelli. Two big mistakes in last two games and he could've act better in the second goal aswell. I have a personal chat with the guy. Luckily for us Zuba is regaining his form," told Estonian.

"This is not the big derbies yet, but they will arrive next season. We failed at first test, next season this cannot repeat."

"Some could say that with the post and Stellone missing a golden one on one chance at the end of the half we were unlucky, but look at our second half. I don't want to say it, but Juventus deserved this win," he finished.

Tanel · 07-01-07, 08:20 PM

Livorno - Torino

21st of January 2007
Armando Picchi, Livorno
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 20

45'

Pedro Rias - 18'

Alessandro Rosina (Pen), 35'

Roberto Stellone, 88'

Luis Figo

Torino got an important win that puts them four points clear from the 3rd place, but Elvis Abbruscato lost his top scorer position with another dry Serie A game.

Torino was fresh from a Juventus 1-3 trashing while making the trip to Armando Picchi to face Livorno. and manager Tanel Tursk put goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli on bench in favour of Brazilian Andre Zuba. Stefano Fiore and Iacopo Balestri were still out with long term injuries.

There was some good news for Torino though as in the warm-up Marco Amelia had gotten injuried for Livorno and second goalkeeper Paolo Orlandoni had to come in.

The away side had luck with Gervinho header bouncing off the crossbar back into the game in the 6th minute already, but game didn't start off quickly.

Next chance had to be waited more than 10 minutes for as Elvis Abbruscato was pushed in area by Marc Pfertzel and Alessandro Rosina steped up to conver the spot kick.

Rosina sends in the penalty

Abbruscato tried to double the lead minutes later with a spectacular bicycle kick, but it went into sidenet.

It wasn't much of a football show, but still Torino got a great chance to double the lead in 35th minute as Roberto Stellone succesfully headed in a Gianluca Comotto cross to make it 2-0.

Though just before half-time Livorno got a lifeline with Andre Zuba's bad positioning allowing Pedro Rias to tap in a low Silvio Meibner cross in near post.

At half-time this mistake costed lot for Zuba and Cristiano Lupatelli was introduced by manager Tanel Tursk while Konan also came in for Stellone.

Lupatelli started off with a great save on Weissenberger low effort from 10 meters, but just after that Simone Barone got a yellow card which means with already many midfielders missing, he'll be out of the next match.

Nikola Lazetic had the chance to bring the victory much closer to Torino, but he incredibly shot two meters wide while being left alone with Paolo Orlandoni in Livorno goal.

Torino got more bad news in 72nd minute with Comotto's yellow card which puts him out of the next match aswell.

Lupatelli then pushed over a Weissenberger header and Vidigal shot his free-kick miles wide.

Livorno was trying to get the equalizer, but Dario Passoni couldn't beat Lupatelli either, while Meibner header went wide.

And the misses proved costly, Luis Figo thumping in a powerful effort from 10 meters after he was set up by Comotto.

Torino rised the gap with 3rd place to four points with the win as chasing package all lost, but as Roma's Francesco Totti got a brace, invisible Elvis Abbruscato falls second with David Villa.

Torino: 1-Andre Zuba (45' 28-Cristiano Lupatelli); 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 5-Luis Figo

, 8-Simone Barone, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina

; 19-Elvis Abbruscato, 11-Roberto Stellone

(45' 24-Cedric Konan)

Cautioned : 54' Simone Barone, 72' Gianluca Comotto

Other Results

Palermo 2-0 Fiorentina
Messina 0-0 Cagliari
Chievo 0-3 Roma
Empoli 2-2 Catania
Inter 3-2 Udinese
Parma 2-1 Reggina
Sampdoria 1-0 Ascoli
Siena 1-0 Atalanta
Lazio 2-1 Milan

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 08-01-07, 05:57 PM

Tursk reveals Champions League plan!

Livorno, 21st of January 2007 - Torino manager Tanel Tursk is pleased that the succesful league run continued at the expense of Livorno and says that with the gap increasing with the followers he may have a Champions League chance.

Rosina had a great induvidual performance

3:1 victory didn't just bring good news for Torino who now is four points clear, but also they have to face their next game with many first team players out as a two-assist hero Gianluca Comotto got a ban alongside Simone Barone.

"That is a bad thing for us. We already have Balestri and Fiore out and we need to asset Rosina's situation aswell as he got knocked near the end," commented Tursk.

"What makes the matters worse is that we have to face Sampdoria in the next game who are one of the most unpredictable sides in the league."

Though Torino's once slender hopes about Champions League already this season have gotten bigger with time and Tursk says the most important club football competition in the world could be at their reach.

"We sit second now with four points clear, but we must remind that there are 18 games to play. Our goal is still Uefa Cup, if we can continue the form then we may have a chance, but it'll be tough race. I mean Roma, who has gotten over their crisis and Milan I believe eventually will go past us, but we can stage a fight with Chievo and Palermo."

Though Tursk has a contract until the next june and he has been associated with many big jobs around Europe as his success with Torino has been big, but he stands loyal to the new team.

"It's a matter of time until I sign the contract. I think there should be no reasons to worry about my future here. I wouldn't even go to Inter from here," he confidently promised to stay in Turin with Toro.

nilsen2k3 · 09-01-07, 03:23 PM

KUTGW!

Very good.

Tanel · 10-01-07, 06:11 PM

Torino - Sampdoria

28th of January 2007
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 21

46'

Elvis Abbruscato, 60'

Elvis Abbruscato, 82'

Elvis Abbruscato (Pen) - 28'

Fabio Bazzani, 52'

Fabio Bazzani, 90'

Andrea Parola

Half-Torino lost the win in the last minute as Sampdoria managed to get a draw despite a magnificient Elvis Abbruscato hattrick.

Torino was in crisis with Cedric Konan, Alessandro Rosina, Gianluca Comotto, Simone Barone, Stefano Fiore and Iacopo Balestri all missing the Sampdoria match againist Sampdoria as the team w