TORINO FC

[Forza_Roma]

Glad Torino are up. Hope they win this game!

[Forza_Roma]

2-0 Torino...goal by Rosina..from the penalty spot. Nice kick!

[D-Kin]

That should be the win right there.

[D-Kin]

I love the commentary:

75' PENALTY TORINO! Masiello hauls down Rosina at the edge of the box and Messina can have no complaints. Well, OK, they do have complaints, but they really shouldn't.

[Forza_Roma]

3-0 Goal from Stellone...nice cross and a header by Stellone....good for him!

[Forza_Roma]

FT 3-0 Torino

[Forza_Roma]

Good game by Rosina...goal and an assist...good goal for Stellone as well!

Serie A Week 29 - 18/3/07 (14.00 UK)

Messina 0 - 3 Torino
Muzzi 26 (T), Rosina pen 77 (T), Stellone 85 (T)
Stadio San Filippo

Torino celebrated a rare away victory that sends Messina tumbling back into the bottom three.

These two teams were desperate to earn points as the relegation dogfight really gets going. Gianni De Biasi has boosted Toro since his return, but Messina had goalkeeper Nicholas Caglioni suspended after failing a doping test, so former Granata man Gabriele Paoletti stepped in.

Edgar Alvarez skipped past two players inside the area for Christian Abbiati to tip his finish over the bar. Toro ran on the counter-attack with Alessandro Rosina and Fabio Gallo's low drive.

Arturo Di Napoli had a shot charged down from eight yards, but Masiello saw Abbiati off his line and unleashed a lob from 40 metres that the former Juventus goalkeeper tipped over the bar.

It was Torino who took the lead against the run of play. Elvis Abbruscato found space down the left flank and his chipped cross was nodded back by Rosina for Roberto Muzzi to deposit into the net from a yard. It was the veteran's first goal in six months.

The Granata could so easily have made it 2-0 moments later. Rosina was extremely unlucky to hit the crossbar twice in the space of 15 seconds! The first was a curling left-foot strike, the second a more powerful effort.

Christian Rigano' smashed an angled drive past the far post just before the break.

The referee pointed to the spot when Masiello pushed Rosina over, but questions remain over whether or not the foul was inside the area. Rosinaldo got back up to take the penalty and coolly rolled it into the right corner, sending Paoletti the wrong way.

Roberto Stellone came on for Rosina and within 120 seconds had made it 3-0 for the Granata with a free header from a corner kick.

Messina: Paoletti; Lavecchia, Zoro, Zanchi, Parisi (Pestrin 63); Alvarez, Candela, D'Aversa (Iliev 46), Masiello; Di Napoli (Floccari 63), Rigano'

Torino: Abbiati; Comotto, Brevi, Bovo, Balestri; Gallo, Ardito (De Ascentis 67); Lazetic, Muzzi (Barone 59), Rosina (Stellone 83); Abbruscato

Ref: Bertini

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by Joel

I love the commentary:

75' PENALTY TORINO! Masiello hauls down Rosina at the edge of the box and Messina can have no complaints. Well, OK, they do have complaints, but they really shouldn't.

haha...that's so typical....here's the pic, definitiely no complaints! But good for them arguing lol.....you never know

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

TalkSoccer Media Player

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 30 - 1/4/07 (14.00 UK)

Torino - Palermo
Stadio Olimpico Palermo hit the road again as they attempt to stop their freefall out of the Champions League places. From their position in the winter as legitimate challengers to Inter in the Scudetto race, they now find themselves on a seven game run without a win and desperately clinging to fourth spot.

Without a win since the ill-fated match at Catania back in February, it has been a failure to settle ties that has cost them – five draws in seven matches. However, their form away from the Stadio Renzo Barbera has not been bad this campaign, with just four defeats out of 14 road trips. Torino, meanwhile, have found their home to be far from impenetrable – racking up losses in half of their games at the Stadio Olimpico – so perhaps this will be a turning point for the Rosanero.

Nevertheless, the Granata are in form – and are looking for a trio of Sicilian scalps, having dispatched Messina and Catania in the last two weeks. Alessandro Rosina has been in good knick for Gianni De Biasi’s side and if he continues to find the net the Northerners will look likely to have the advantage. But Francesco Guidolin’s men may have a remedy to their malaise in the form of Uruguayan striker Edison Cavani – who has scored in both of his two Serie A appearances since his switch from Danubio.

As well as having form and confidence in their pockets the Turinese side also have an eye on revenge – following their 3-0 drubbing at Palermo in Week 11. Eugenio Corini, David Di Michele and Amauri were on target in the November encounter. Di Michele will again lead the pink and black attack, this time partnered by Cavani.

Former Palermo man Simone Barone looks set to miss out on the chance of starting against his former teammates, although he will be included on the substitutes bench. Palermo look to switch their formation to a 4-4-2 as Guidolin aims to seek out a win and ease some of the pressure increasing on his shoulders.

Torino have a fully fit squad, aside from Giuseppe Pancaro and Claudio De Souza – although Cesare Bovo, Oscar Brevi and Fabio Gallo are all one match away from a suspension. Palermo find Ciro Capuano on the sidelines alongside long-term crock Amauri, while Roberto Guana serves a suspension.

Man on fire: Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – Netted in each of Toro’s last three matches and was the main man ahead of Italy Under-21’s trip to Wembley. He may have been upstaged by Giampaolo Pazzini in the scoring stakes beneath the arch, but his deft touch of the ball set the Fiorentina man away for his third goal.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Torino (L W L W W) Palermo (D D L D D)
Torino (probable): Abbiati; Comotto, Brevi, Bovo, Balestri; Gallo, Ardito; Lazetic, Muzzi, Rosina; Abbruscato
Palermo (probable): Fontana; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli, Pisano; Diana, Corini, Simplicio, Bresciano; Cavani, Di Michele
Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Tough one for Palermo.

Torino should win here.

[D-Kin]

Cavani is out with a thigh problem.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

This has potential of being a really good game. It should be a close game. I think it may end up being a draw. Let's hope Rosina has a good game and nets a goal!

[D-Kin]

Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli believes the Rosanero will have to play a perfect match against Torino in order to return to winning ways.

The islanders, without a win in seven games, travel north on Sunday and are in desperate need of a victory if they hope to cling on to the fourth spot, as Milan are only four points behind.

“The match with Torino is a challenging one. After the Granata changed their Coach they have done very well,” said Barzagli, who will wear the captain’s armband in Eugenio Corini’s absence.

“It won’t be easy, but we will have to play a perfect match and try to win at all costs if we want to secure a spot in the Champions League preliminaries,” continued the World Champion.

“Our opponents are equally motivated and eager to get the three points, but we must return to victory.

“We have to be very careful and try not to make any mistakes, lately we have paid dearly for every single error. We cannot afford any more slip-ups,” concluded Barzagli.

Palermo will probably have to do without on-form striker Edison Cavani, who picked up an injury in Thursday’s training session, limping off the pitch with a thigh problem.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Francesco Guidolin insists Palermo’s poor form will in fact help them escape from their malaise and recapture third place.

“We are no longer the favourites for a third spot that had until not long ago seemed like a mere formality,” noted the Coach.

The Sicilians were for a while leading the table, but have picked up just five draws and two defeats leading into today’s match against Torino.

“This new situation could be an advantage, because it takes some of the pressure of us. We know full well that Torino are a good side that have rediscovered their confidence and are maintaining the pace of Champions League contenders at the moment.

“I hope, though, that Palermo can play the way they know how, putting on to the pitch all those ingredients that for a long period this season allowed us to challenge for the podium.”

Guidolin is forced to reshuffle, as hitman Edison Cavani – fresh from two goals in as many games – is out with a muscular problem.

“These are things that happen and there’s no point complaining,” said the tactician. “We must look forward and know we can trust in those who do take the field.”

channel4.com - Football Italia