Dreams Of Beating Juventus - Page 5 - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

Tanel · 15-01-07, 04:45 PM

Empoli - Torino

4th of February 2007
Stadio Carlo Castellani, Empoli
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 22

50'

Francecso Mariani - 26'

Alessandro Rosina, 45+3'

Simone Barone

Two first-half goals were enough for Torino to beat Empoli who played all of the second half with ten men.

Lot's of first teamers returned from injuries and suspensions for the must win game at struggling Empoli. Massimo Taibi, Diego De Ascentis and Stefano Fiore were the only missing players, even Iacopo Balestri was back on bench after many months out.

Sergio Almiron created the first opportunity for the home side, bus his shot from nearly 30 meters wide of the far top corner he was aiming at.

Elvis Abbruscato, who got called up for Italy earlier this week, had his header bunched over by Zeljko Kalac as there hadn't been not much in the opening minutes.

It took the brilliance of Alessandro Rosina to open up the scoring. He found his way between two Torino defenders to send a fantastic angled shot over the goalkeeper into far post.

Rosina scored one of Torino's best goals of the season

Buzzegoli headed Luca Saudati cross over the far post at the other end as Empoli enjoyed far more possession, but failed to get past the defence line of Granata.

And it paid costly, deep into the added time Torino were handed a corner which fell to Elvis Abbruscato after a clearence. Abbruscato sent the ball low into the unmarked Simone Barone in the middle of the box who then sent an unbeateable bomb into the top corner.

Barone puts Torino comfortably ahead for half-time

At half-time Cedric Konan came in for Luis Figo and he immediately created some danger, but his soft shot was saved by Zeljko Kalac.

Just a minute after that Francesco Marianini was involved in a scramble with Roberto Stellone and he got sent off for kicking Torino's striker and it was set to be a walk in park for Torino after that.

After that Nikola Lazetic's fantastic effort from 45 meters was barely kept out by Kalac who was under small cross-fire.

Iacopo Balestri returned to Torino action with replacing Giuseppe Pancaro while Australian goalkeeper Kalac made another fantastic save on Simone Barone's powerful effort from the edge of the box.

Vitaly Denisov also got a a brief game time with replacing Nikola Lazetic for final minutes. Roberto Stellone's low shot was blocked on the line after a scramble in the box while Empoli's Fabio Moro scored miles over from the edge of the box.

The game ended 2-0 so Torino continues their incredible march on the second place with amazing run of results.

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; 10-Alessandro Rosina

; 19-Elvis Abbruscato, 11-Roberto Stellone

Cautioned : None

Other Results

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

Tanel · 16-01-07, 04:35 PM

'Stop us please', says Toro

Empoli, 5th of February 2007 - Torino is running riot in the Serie A and they have begged for someone to stop them before they start living in the 7th heaven.

Rosina stared in the Empoli win

Torino's run continued with a win over Empoli away from home last night with Alessandro Rosina and Simone Barone scoring two fabulous goal in a convincing win.

"I cannot do anything about it, my mind goes more and more on the Champions League. Deep in my mind I know that it seems like an impossible target, yet assuming by our form it isn't," said manager Tanel Tursk.

"I think someone needs to stop us, before we start living in the dreamworld, which this season has been so far. I hope we can continue, but considering that the falling out of the CL race is probable, it'd be better for it to happen now, than in the final games of the season," he finished.

"I always knew what I was doing when picking Tanel as our manager. I'm shocked at what he has done, I didn't give him much funds in January, because I didn't want to distrupt the harmony. Yet he bringed in new guys and they ended up improving the team a lot," told Urbano Cairo to Gazzetta.

It's been a season of wonder for Torino, no names besides Elvis Abbruscato shine out a little and everyone has been playing up to the excpectations. Even Figo's career got some better final breathes with a surprise loan move.

Tanel · 17-01-07, 06:29 PM

Torino - Lazio

10th of February 2007
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 23

23'

Elvis Abbruscato, 85'

Elvis Abbruscato - 34'

Tomasso Rocchi

Elvis Abbruscato had another stellar display in the Torino sheet as his double got Granata another victory that put them 5 points clear of second placed Milan!

Torino didn't have much problems, with just Stefano Fiore staying out of the game as Masashi Oguro made a quick survey from a flu got earlier this week to make it to the bench.

Game started with Lazio pressure and Goran Pandev hit the bar just one minute into it as he had already beated Cristiano Lupatelli with his 25 meter volley. From the following corner kick Lupo catched a Pasquale Foggia central shot.

Pandev again threated but this time his shot even further away from goal was easily pushed wide by Lupatelli.

Torino was starting to eat themselves into the midfield more and more and Luis Figo long range free-kick hit the sidenet, but Angelo Peruzzi had it under control.

Breakthrough game in the 23rd minute though, Nikola Lazetic got an assist over a long time after a brilliant break through into the box to put it up for Elvis Abbruscato who obviously headed it in the near post.

Abbruscato opens scoring

After that both teams took some time to get used to the new pace, but for the final ten or so minutes things livened up. First Rocchi lobbed the ball past an empty goal from nearly 50 meters, but then Lazio got the equalizer.

From the following goal-kick Abbruscato mishit his header into the path of Borja Oubina who set through Tomasso Rocchi one on one to comfortably send the ball under the hand of Lupatelli into the net.

Christian Ledesma long range volley was saved while Luis Figo's free-kick didn't cause much problems at the other end.

Though Simone Barone curled a powerful effort from 30 meters which was tiped away by Peruzzi for a brilliant save and the same guy hit the bar from that distance again and Abbruscato incredibly couldn't head the ball that bounced back into the empty goal.

Both teams got another chance, but goalkeepers were on their toes and it remained 1:1.

At half-time rather average Luis Figo was replaced with Iacopo Balestri.

The second half wasn't much of a show, Lupatelli made a great save on Valon Behrami low shot in the box. Tursk tried to refresh his luck with bringing in Cedric Konan for Roberto Stellone to add pace to the attack.

It paid off, though a little bit later than planned. Cedric Konan was the guy who headed through Elvis Abbruscato like a through targetman in a brilliant counter attack as Abbruscato chiped the ball over outrushing Angelo Peruzzi into the back post.

Abbruscato scores another double

The final minutes didn't bring much joy, though if Konan would've not been made a brilliant tackle on he would've probably set up an empty net for Abbruscato for a hattrick.

With the victory Torino even secured the 2nd place as many important contenders had surprise results. Marco Di Loreto was Sky Italia's surprising man of the match.

Torino: 28-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 5-Luis Figo (45' 22-Iacopo Balestri), 8-Simone Barone, 17-Nikola Lazetic; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato

, 11-Roberto Stellone (68' 24-Cedric Konan)

Cautioned : 67' Simone Barone, 76' Nikola Lazetic

Other Results

Atalanta 3-1 Empoli
Inter 4-1 Palermo
Ascoli 1-0 Milan
Cagliari 0-1 Sampdoria
Catania 0-3 Chievo
Reggina 0-0 Livorno
Roma 1-1 Parma
Udinese 3-0 Messina
Fiorentina 2-0 Siena

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 18-01-07, 03:55 PM

Tursk praises Torino character
By Unknown Author - Created on 11 Feb 2007

After Torino late victory over Lazio last night thanks to an Elvis Abbruscato brace manager Tanel Tursk praised the character of the team.

"We didn't give up and went to just close the game out. As a fan you don't like draws usually, but sometimes as a player you feel that draw would be nice. It's tough to get out of this feeling if for 30 minutes there haven't been much going on," said Tanel Tursk.

"We sit second and 5 points clear as other teams sliped up, more importantly Milan got a surprise lost to Ascoli and we have to thank them. It's important that with this full team we keep on winning as it really builds the morale," he continued.

Star of the evening was again Elvis Abbruscato with a brace and the national team candidate is sitting atop of the top scorers in the league with 19 goals, 3 ahead of Luca Toni and Francesco Totti.

"I'm happy that I'm continuing with the scoring ways. I have few breaks here and there but I tend to make up for it with some additional goals in the next games. I liked my second strike, but I should've scored that header close after the opener," said Abbruscato.

He has been lately called 'Abbruzi' after the American TV series Prison Break character, a mob-boss played by Frank Grillo.

"I haven't seen that show, though that nickname would sound nice if it wouldn't have anything to do with mafia. I don't want to be called after some mafioso," he said to Sky Sports Italia after the match.

The next big test for Torino is a trip to Milan as a win from there would really put them on pole for the Champions League positions.

Tanel · 20-01-07, 02:06 PM

Milan - Torino

17th of February 2007
Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro, Milano
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 24

90+1'

Andrea Pirlo - 4'

Elvis Abbruscato, 64'

Roberto Stellone (Pen)

Torino got their most important and most memorable win of the season as they managed to withstand a heavy pressure to beat Milan 2-1 in probably the most thrilling Serie A game of the season for all clubs.

It was a vital tie for Champions League hunting teams as Torino was sitting 2nd with an five point lead over the chasing package, led by the Calciopoli punished Milan.

There was no injuries for Torino, even Milan had just one player missing - Ricardo Oliveira.

The game started off with Dida pushing over an Elvis Abbruscato shot that was hit almost parallel with the goal.

Just couple of minutes later another opportunity opened up for the Serie A leading goalscorer. He was amazingly set through by Gianluca Comotto high long pass, which he allowed to bounce off the ground before lobing it into the back post with the first touch.

What a 20th in the league for Abbruscato

On the other end Milan looked to get back into the game, but Filippo Inzaghi managed to send a low Kakha Kaladze cross over from just 8 meters.

Then it was a bit more calmer until some serious pressure from Milan for a short period of time.

Cristiano Lupatelli first saved a powerful Rafael Van Der Vaart free-kick, from the following corner Kaka headed wide and soon after Andrea Barzagli also sent a Van Der Vaart corner past the near post.

Then for twenty minutes there happened almost nothing until Elvis Abbruscato almost doubled his tally minutes before half-time but Giuseppe Pancaro cross was headed just past the far post.

At half-time tired Luis Figo was replaced by Iacopo Balestri and Tursk was set to make another sub five minutes in as Nikola Lazetic got injuried and Cedric Konan steped in.

And after that it went from interesting to cracking.

Stellone was unmarked in the corner of the box, but instead of trying to pass the ball to Elvis Abbruscato who would've had an empty net he tried himself and he shot it straight into the path of the Brazilian.

On the other end Kaka tried to shoot from 30 meters, but it was central and over. Gilardino almost got through soon after, but his low shot was hit wide off the empty far post thanks to a pressure from Marco Di Loreto.

Seedorf had a similiar shot to Kaka as it went central and over from distance.

The ultra-attacking Milan left some gaps in the defence aswell and Raffaele Schiavi almost took advantage of it, but his shot after a corner was pushed over by Dida.

On the other end Kaka shot wide from 30 meters again as Milan really had some trouble getting into the box and the missed chances had to be paid for.

Roberto Stellone ran down the wing and broke into the box, just when he had made few steps in Daniele Bonera scrambled into him and despite the Milan protest referee Domenico Messina handed a penalty for Torino.

Stellone himself step up and Dida barely could react as he powerfully struck it near the left post.

Stellone ended his 3 game dry-streak

Closely after the restart Kaka bombed was brilliantly saved by Cristiano Lupatelli and the Brazilians runs made Tursk to sub in Diego De Ascentis for goalscorer Stellone to make it 4-5-1 for final 20 minutes.

Torino had to thank the luck that Massimo Ambrosini headed a Andrea Pirlo corner into the bar, but they had their bad luck just minute later.

Marco Di Loreto set through Abbruscato, but the 25-year old was forced to go to more wing position and his shot got easily tiped past the goal by Dida.

Ambrosini was now becoming the threat for Torino though and on the other end his shot from 25 meters was saved by brilliant Cristiano Lupatelli.

It was far from just Milan though, Elvis Abbruscato crossed in for Cedric Konan in the far post who was left unmarked in the panic attack period, but the Ivorian headed wide from incredible position.

Ambrosini then curled the ball wide from distance while the defensive midfielder was again dangerous couple of minutes later when Lupatelli managed to make an incredible save on his header as he tiped it to the post while Andrea Pirlo soft curler was catched easily by Lupatelli to calm the game down.

Though it was only calm for few minutes as Gilardino headed wide from great position in the box and Alessandro Rosina saw his free-kick catched comfortable by Dida.

Torino should've put the final nail in the Milan coffin, but Abbruscato couldn't capitalise on his one on one situation and Dida managed to make a low save on him.

It seemed like it was going for a comfortable win still until Milan put the pressure on for the final minutes again.

First Alberto Gilardino hit the post with a thundering header from few meters as there was no-one to save the goal while Daniele Bonera curled over from 30 meters.

Milan finally got one back in the 1st minute of injury time, as Andrea Pirlo took the advantage of Lupatellis desperate clearence in the box and shot it into the uncovered near post from the edge of the area.

Pirlo gave Milan a late chance

Though Milan only managed to create one chance after that, a chance that made sure who was going to be the man of the match.

Gilardino thought that another one of his thunder headers from dozen meters was going in, but Lupatelli managed to make an incredible reaction to it and pushed it out of the goal just before it crossed the line to clinch a brilliant man of the match title for himself and a vital victory for Torino.

Torino now sits 6 points ahead of 3rd placed Roma while Milan fell 5th in the standings.

Torino: 1-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 5-Luis Figo (45' 22-Iacopo Balestri), 8-Simone Barone, 17-Nikola Lazetic (50' 24-Cedric Konan); 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato

, 11-Roberto Stellone

(69' 15-Diego De Ascentis)

Cautioned

: 1' Simone Barone, 15' Nikola Lazetic, 22' Raffaele Schiavi, 74' Gianluca Comotto

Other Results

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

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 21-01-07, 06:27 PM

Champions League bound Torino!

Torino's Champions League run got an amazing continue in Milano with a match that could be really put down as Serie A classic as 2:1 victory went to the visitors.

"It was the most open game my eyes had ever seen. If I even once tried to sit down I was up again just seconds later. I have to hand it to Milan for attacking hard for minte one, but we stood proud. We could've even hit few more and had couple of half-chances!" said Tanel Tursk.

"I have to admit it. This club has to get to the Champions League. This was a Champion worthy performance. Class, spirit, skill... Like a real team," he continued.

"Abbruscato's goal? It was fantastic, proves exactly why he is topping the Serie A top scorer standins. There is plenty more to come from him. I'm surprised teams like Chelsea haven't given us the call already. But maybe they understand that we won't sell him. Not even for 25 million pounds," said the Estonian about star striker Elvis Abbruscato.

"He is has atleast 7 more years in him and he can develop. I have few young players who to build the team around and I won't sell them. One of them, Comotto, we want to get on permanent from Roma in the summer."

In their next game they face Catania and with 14 games to go they have a 6 point lead over the chasing package as Torino sits 2nd.

Tanel · 21-01-07, 06:28 PM

By the way, here is the Abbruscato printscreen. Taken in the start of february, forgot to post.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...abbruscato.jpg

KoNvIcT · 21-01-07, 07:17 PM

That is Amazing Story :D. Abosulte Master at stories bud.

I Really Hope there is more to come from u :D

Tanel · 22-01-07, 03:24 PM

Torino - Catania

25th of February 2007
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 25

9'

Roberto Stellone, 65'

Elvis Abbruscato, 81'

Roberto Stellone, 86'

Roberto Stellone - 10'

Marco Di Loreto (OG), 32'

Fabio Caserta, 49'

Alejandro Lembo

Roberto Stellone grabed a hattrick in a Torino second half fantastic come-back over a 10-man Catania.

Torino was missing some key players like first choice right wingers Luis Figo and Stefano Fiore for the match againist the 'elephants'. Also second goalkeeper Andre Zuba was sitting out on injury. Iacopo Balestri got a surprise start due to that in the left wing as Nikola Lazetic played on the right of midfield.

The Serbian international was the one with the first chance, but his shot from 25 meters went wide of the Catania goal.

Torino started off brightly, but Gianluca Comotto could only head straight at goalkeeper Federico Vilar after a Alessandro Rosina free-kick.

Another chance was wasted by Elvis Abbruscato with his long header going over the goal, but the breakthrough finally came.

Iacopo Balestri's cross found Roberto Stellone in the near post who powerfully headed the ball under bar, leaving Vilar no chance and making it 1-0 for Torino in the 9th minute already.

Roberto Stellone opens up the goalscoring

Though the lead only lasted for about a minute as Catania equalized in hillarious fashion. Marco Di Loreto couldn't really judge the Fabio Caserta cross and he hit it toward the wrong way from the edge of the area.

Surprised Cristiano Lupatelli could only watch how the ball almost flew into the top corner.

Torino needed to get their feet back in the game, but Elvis Abbruscato sent his bomb from 30 meters over.

Giuseppe Mascara then fooled Raffaele Schiavi at the other end, but his shot went over aswell.

Then some great goalkeeping was to be shown by Federico Vilar as he managed to bring out a powerful Abbruscato header hit from dozen meters.

Alejandro Lembo then sent his free-kick wide, but Catania managed to be dangerous on the counter-attacks and after Cristiano Lupatelli was again wondering around the area, Fabio Caserta had an easy job to lob him from the edge of the area.

Caserta allowed an easy goal

Torino got some chances to equalize, but Vilar tiped an Abbruscato header wide of the goal and then he closed down great on the Torino striker again before Abbruscato could get a proper shot.

At half-time Cedric Konan came in to add more pace to the Torino line-up as Iacopo Balestri made way.

Simone Barone was the first to try out Torino's luck in the second half, but his bomb went over the back corner.

A sigh of relief came to Torino two minutes after that. In an unharmful situation Alejandro Lembo got sent off as he without a now serious reason headbutted Roberto Stellone and referee pulled out a straight red card.

From the following situation striker headed over a Gianluca Comotto cross and then Stellone was saved one on one by fantastic Vilar.

Though the goalkeeper finally cracked in the end. Marco Di Loreto long ball sent through Elvis Abbruscato who clearly avoided offside as he scored his 21st of the season by sidesteping Argentine goalkeeper.

Abbruscato equalizes the game

Simone Barone was carrying a knock so for the final 20 minutes or so Diego De Ascentis came in for him.

Giuseppe Mascara shot a free-kick over, but Catania players were starting to get tired and Torion was putting on the pressure.

They grabed the lead already in the 81st minute as Gianluca Comotto cross found Elvis Abbruscato who hit the bar though, but from the same situation Roberto Stellone was allowed to tap in his second from just few meters.

Fabio Caserta saw his desperate long range effort go over, but Torino got another great chance in the 85th minute when Cedric Konan's low cross found Elvis Abbruscato who despite the goal was a little off form in this match and proved it by sideneting the ball from 10 meters instead of just gently send it to the far post.

Torino eventually sealed the win with a Giuseppe Pancaro throw-in finding Stellone who fooled an opponent in the box and sent the ball past Vilar into the near post to complete his hat-trick.

Cedric Konan headed wide and Vilar produced a great save on Stellone, but the scoreline in the end was 4-2.

Torino: 1-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 17-Nikola Lazetic, 8-Simone Barone (73' 15-Diego De Ascentis), 22-Iacopo Balestri (45' 24-Cedric Konan); 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato, 11-Roberto Stellone

Cautioned : None

Other Results

Atalanta 1-0 Milan
Cagliari 1-1 Lazio
Fiorentina 0-2 Sampdoria
Inter 4-0 Messina
Palermo 3-0 Parma
Reggina 0-1 Empoli
Roma 2-0 Siena
Udinese 1-0 Livorno
Ascoli 1-0 Chievo

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 23-01-07, 08:07 PM

Updated: Feb. 26, 2007

Tursk hails Torino come-back

Torino is pushing strong towards Champions League

Amazing season of Torino continued with a 4-2 win from 1-2 down in the final 30 minutes againist Catania as the Champions League position seems more and more certain for the Turin side.

Roberto Stellone scored a hattrick in the match againist the Sicilian side with Italy's league big star Elvis Abbruscato grabing another goal.

"It was another mentally strong display. In the past matches we've showed exactly what we've made of. We've been resistant throughout all 90 minutes, able to score when needed. We are now 11 points clear of Milan on the 5th place and with our current form I cannot see us losing that much points to them overall," said Tursk.

"Though we don't need to get overconfident yet. We've always taken it one by one. I haven't tried to make some calculations of how we can get to the best club competition in the world as it's pointless."

"It's too early to make any conclusions, because weirder things have happened than a team losing a 11 point advantage," told the Estonian in the interview with Mediaset.

There have been raised questions about Tursk's future in the Torino side as it was only an one year contract.

It's said that lately clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United are knocking on the legendary manager's door to get him at the end of the season.

"I have a verbal agreement with Urbano Cairo. He is going to settle all contract extensions at one point. It'll be soon," the former Champions League champion as a manager of Univeristatea Cluj in Romania concluded his interview.

m91 · 25-01-07, 03:46 PM

Your results are brilliant! Keep Up The Good Work
Tnx for the screen of Abbruscato. Torino and CL :D

Tanel · 29-01-07, 06:54 PM

Ascoli - Torino

28th of February 2007
Cino e Lillo Del Ducca, Ascoli Piceno
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 26

5'

Mantorras, 9'

Christopher Samba - 21'

Elvis Abbruscato, 45'

Gianluca Comotto, 75'

Simone Barone

Torino got another victory againist Ascoli away as the opponents lost a lead thanks to an early sending off.

Torino was still flying high, but visit to Ascoli wasn't set to be an easy one. The relegation struggles have invested a lot into the team under new management and have surprised quite a few teams with some brilliant displays.

Stefano Fiore, Luis Figo and Andre Zuba were still missing out with injuries.

The game did got off to a very bad start for Torino. After just five minutes Marcel Ketelaer had a shot brilliantly saved by Cristiano Lupatelli, but the ball unluckily fell to Mantorras who taped the ball into an empty net.

Torino's 12-match unbeaten run was getting under threat, but Ascoli helped them to get a way back in. Center-back Christopher Samba couldn't hold his nerves and elbowed Elvis Abbruscato in an airial challange, being sent off.

And it immediately started to become dangerous, first Joan Luis Mora brilliantly saved an Abbruscato header, but referee said that it would've not been valid anyway as the Torino striker had adjudged to have fouled his marker.

Then on the twenty minutes another great save was pulled out of Mora, this time by a Simone Barone fantastic curling bomb from the edge of the area.

From the following corner the Torino pressure paid off. Abbruscato was having an eventful start to the match and he broke free of his marker in the box to head Alessandro Rosina's cross in from the near post.

Abbruscato scored his 30th of the season!

Mora had his hands full of job and he then pushed over a Nikola Lazetic header.

He had to thank luck though, Rosina was having a great performance and he dribbled past three players on his way to the box, only to see his shot clip back from the post.

Though Torino broke through few minutes before half-time whistle. Iacopo Balestri played his free-kick to unmarked Gianluca Comotto on the edge of the area as the full-back got past one Ascoli player to send the ball past stranded Mora.

At half-time Torino made a change despite leading, invisible Roberto Stellone was replaced by Cedric Konan in attack.

It wasn't much of a show though at the start, in the first 25 minutes the only events were Comotto's & Daniele Galoppa's shots from 30 meters that both were far from hitting the target and a substitution that saw Balestri come out for young Uzbek Vitaly Denisov.

Though then for final minutes some better chances came. Brilliant opportunity to seal the game fell to Rosina who again couldn't score.

Konan saved the ball with a header on line that fell into path of Rosina in the middle of the box with a free way to goal. Rosina though opted to make a first touch shot and it went straight at Mora.

Torino though wanted to make sure the victory and they did so in the 75th minute, and in style. Nikola Lazetic passed the ball to Simone Barone who had previously already made a dangerous long range shot.

This time the Italian international tried again, even more further away and his curling powerful shot gave no chance to Ascoli goalkeeper.

Barone scored a great goal

The final chance of the match fell to Ascoli, but Ervin Skela's free-kick went just wide of the far post.

Eventhough they won Torino didn't really get any extra advantage againist following opponents.

Torino: 1-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto

, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 17-Nikola Lazetic, 8-Simone Barone

, 22-Iacopo Balestri (67' 33-Vitaly Denisov); 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato

, 11-Roberto Stellone (45' 24-Cedric Konan)

Cautioned : 72' Gianluca Comotto, 74' Vitaly Denisov

Other Results

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

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 30-01-07, 05:51 PM

Authors Note: I've decided to cut down the post match comments as it's getting boring to be repeative etc. I only use them for big matches and when some interesting things happen etc. (controversial decisions) That way we have more games.

Torino - Chievo

4th of March 2007
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 27

17'

Elvis Abbruscato, 90+3'

Cedric Konan - 37'

Simone Tiribocchi

Cedric Konan netted a dramatic winner for Torino in a thrilling 2:1 victory over Chievo Verona on Sunday afternoon.

Stefano Fiore was fit enough to return on bench for Torino for a game againist Chievo Verona who were surprising the pundits with quite high 6th position in the league and it wasn't obviously going to be an easy game for Torino. Luis Figo and Andre Zuba continued their injuries, eventhough the first is set to return next week aswell.

Chievo got the first chance, but Victor Obinna's powerful effort from the edge of the area didn't hit the target.

Dozen minutes later after some passive play two the match opened up with a goal. After a scramble on the Torino side of midfield the ball fell to Alessandro Rosina who made an amazing low pass to Elvis Abbruscato who avoided offside to go one on one.

Goalkeeper Vicenco Sicignano didn't see that coming and he was already out of the goal so he had to close down Abbruscato out of the box, making it very easy for the league top scorer to net another one of his goals as he rounded Sicignano.

Abbruscato couldn't be without a goal in this match either

Michele Marcolini had a run down the wing, but his cross was headed over by a sprinting Obinna.

Stellone had a nice chance to double Torino's lead. The ball bounced off a Chievo defender to the path of Stellone, but since the ball was a bit behind his back his attempted lob over Sicignano was too soft and the former international managed to catch the ball before it flew into the net.

Chievo soon after almost cost for another defence blunder. Petri Pasanen failed to connect with a back-pass and Abbruscato was through again, though with goalkeeper more ready and defenders pressurising he shot the ball straight at the man with gloves.

Torino was starting to put big pressure on their opponents and Alessandro Rosina saw his powerful free-kick to get tiped out of the top corner by Sicignano.

Rosina has been in hot form in last games and he was again involved as his free-kick found Abbruscato standing at near post. Though it still didn't go in - Nigerian striker Obinna manged to make up for his earlier misses by making an incredible heading save on line at Abbruscato.

Chievo started to recover and Obinna saw his soft central header pushed away by Lupatelli, but they got the equalizer.

Michele Marcioni sent a low corner in which no-one tried to intercept eventhough it should've been easy. Neither did Torino defenders remember to mark Simone Tiribocchi at far post as the striker sent in a cool low finish at far post.

Though that equalizer was the only big attempt in the remaining of the first half and Stefano Fiore came in to boost Torino's luck over the second half.

Sicignano started off second half the way he ended the first, he made another save. He managed to react great to an Abbruscato header from the edge of the 6-yard box.

Michele Marcolini was having a great evening, but his assist was again wasted as Tiribocchi shot wide and over, eventhough it was very hard to score from a tough angle he should've atleast gotten close to the goal.

After some very boring minutes Tanel Tursk made quite a traditional sub of replacing Roberto Stellone with Cedric Konan.

Marcolini then tried to shoot himself, but his shot wasn't good from 10 meters as defenders did just enough to interupt him.

Abbruscato was heavily involved in everything and earned a MoM eventhough his shot from 10 meters was amazingly tiped wide by Sicignano who was strongly contending his award though.

Torino really thought that their amazing winning run of five games was coming to an end, but there was just one more chance to come.

Nikola Lazetic got the ball from Giuseppe Pancaro on the wing as he sidesteped Chievo full-back Mantovani to cross in to Cedric Konan header in the near post which flew past the badly positioned Sicignano.

Konan proved to be a great substitution once again

The Ivorian hasn't enjoyed too much scoring this season, but when he has given the chance of joining the game he has always done something to it with his pace like he did againist Chievo with just less than 20 minutes.

It was Torinos 6th consecutive win and 12th unbeatten league game in a row and Champions League is not only a dream anymore, it's a must. With Roma and Sampdoria having draws the gap with third raised to eight points already.

Torino: 1-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 17-Nikola Lazetic, 8-Simone Barone, 22-Iacopo Balestri (45' 7-Stefano Fiore)); 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato

, 11-Roberto Stellone (74' 24-Cedric Konan

)

Cautioned

: None

Other Results

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

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 31-01-07, 07:59 PM

Torino - Atalanta

11th of March 2007
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 28

66'

Luis Figo, 78'

Elvis Abbruscato

Luis Figo made a great return, but Elvis Abbruscato was in the spotlight once again with a stellar display in front of full house at Olimpico.

Torino was having an amazing run of form and they hoped to continue it againist a rather unpredictable Atalanta. Luis Figo and Stefano Fiore were on bench again as manager Tanel Tursk obviously is cautious about putting them back in the squad after long injuries. Andre Zuba and Masashi Oguro were sidelined.

Like typically with Torino fans, opponents got the first more dangerous shot. Nicola Ventola gave Cristiano Lupatelli a scare, but Italian managed to react well to his shot from 15 meters and make a great save.

And Atalanta was the more dangerous side in a boring start, but Benjamin's effort from 30 meters with a free-kick flew wide.

And it was the only event for almost twenty minutes until Elvis Abbruscato headed wide a Giuseppe Pancaro free-kick but even when it would've gone between posts it would've been an easy catch for Alex Calderoni.

Alessandro Rosina's deflected free-kick that was catched without no big problems by Calderoni remained as the last chance of the opening half.

Tursk was obviously disappointed with the game so he bringed in Stefano Fiore for Iacopo Balestri.

Immediately the game lived up. Rosina low pass sent through Roberto Stellone, but his shot was smothered by the goalkeeper. Nikola Lazetic shot harmlessly over in a following situation.

Stellone header in the box found Abbruscato, but his one touch shot flew over as the dominant Torino decided to bring in Luis Figo for Nikola Lazetic.

This sub paid off in just three minutes. Elvis Abbruscato earned a free-kick from the edge of the area, which was succesfully sent into the top corner by the former Portugese international.

Figo returned from injury with a great goal

The game was very alive since then. Espescially from the Torino side who had transformed completely over the half-time.

Espescially one man looked to be hungry to do lots of stuff. Abbruscato's ran down the wing to pass the ball to Alessandro Rosina on the edge of the area. Though Rosina's shot was tiped over by the Atalanta goalkeeper as it was too central.

Though two men again combined minute later as Rosina set through Abbruscato himself this time. National team canditate tried to put the ball into the back post from a tough angle though Calderoni managed to get his fingers to it just before it was out of his reach.

And it wasn't last from those two, the roles exchanged again in a bit different version that showed how good those two are together. Abbruscato set up a great ball with his head to Rosina's foot, but the attacking midfielder volley was too soft and central so Calderoni managed to push it away.

Torino eventually got the securing goal though. Roberto Stellone made a long run of 20 meters before threading the ball to Abbruscato in two vs two situation with defence. Abbruscato then managed to find just enough pace to outrun Marquinhos and lob Calderoni for his 24th league goal!

Abbruscato's hunt for European Golden Boot was confirmed once more

Atalanta managed to create some danger in the final minutes, but Aaron Hunt's amazing curling first touch shot from the edge of the area went just wide of the area and a Ventola 30 meter lob flew over the goal.

With opponents again sliping up Torino increased their lead to 11 points ahead of 3rd placed Roma already!

Torino: 1-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 17-Nikola Lazetic (63' 5-Luis Figo

), 8-Simone Barone, 22-Iacopo Balestri (45' 7-Stefano Fiore); 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato

, 11-Roberto Stellone

Cautioned : 10' Iacopo Balestri

Other Results

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

Torino Position: 2nd

Tanel · 01-02-07, 06:44 PM

Cagliari - Torino

18th of March 2007
Sant' Elia, Cagliari
Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 29

19'

Habib Bamogo - 26'

Elvis Abbruscato, 61'

Iacopo Balestri

Elvis Abbruscato and Iacopo Balestri scored memorable goals for Torino in another victory, but the display wasn't promising.

Stefano Fiore was allowed to return into the first eleven for this tricky away tie at Cagliari. The home-side didn't have any injuries, though the visitors had to do without Giuseppe Pancaro who catched a virus and Andre Zuba who couldn't complete his recovery.

Masashi Oguro was surprisingly left on the stands as Vitaly Denisov sat on the bench alongside Luis Figo.

Cagliari had a strong start, but Wender's shot towards the back post from the left side of the box didn't change the scorline as it went wide.

Though after a passive start where Cagliari was dominant they got the lead. Habib Bamago taped in a low Mauro Esposito cross from 6 meters.

Then Cabayae couldn't double the lead with a free-kick 25-meters from goal - his shot flew over.

Torino didn't have much of a say at the start of the match, but it was known that Elvis Abbruscato will make use of even one centimetere of too much space you give him and it proved costly.

The striker combined with Gianluca Comotto on the wing before rushing past two players on his way to the box and lashing an amazing powerful shot from a tight angle, more than 10 meters from goal, into the back post.