TORINO FC

[D-Kin]

The best defence in the league (Empoli) against the second worst attack in the league (Torino).

If that's anything to go by this will finish 0-0.

[D-Kin]

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Torino (D D L W W) Empoli (D D W D W)

Torino (probable): Abbiati; Di Loreto, Cioffi, Franceschini; Comotto, Barone, Ardito, Balestri; Lazetic, Rosina, Stellone

Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Pratali, Vanigli, Tosto; Almiron, Moro, Busce’, Vannucchi, Matteini; Saudati

[D-Kin]

It's Torino's Centenary today, Zaccheroni wants a win.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...lia/dec3e.html

[Oliver_Kahn]

Torino 1 - 0 Empoli (Comotto 88')

[D-Kin]

Oh I was so close to my prediction of 0-0.

Torino back on track anyway.

[D-Kin]

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 14 - 3/12/06 (14.00 UK)
Torino 1 - 0 Empoli
Comotto 88 (T)
Stadio Olimpico

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Gianluca Comotto's late strike started the Torino party, but Empoli can complain they had a 'phantom' goal disallowed.

This match was preceded by a celebration marking the Centenary of Torino's foundation on December 3, 1906. Over 800 heroes of Granata folklore, including Denis Law and Renato Zaccarelli, paraded around the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

Alberto Zaccheroni hoped to mark the occasion with their third consecutive victory in Serie A, but Empoli were on confident form after a seven-match unbeaten run and the League's most solid defence, having conceded just nine goals. Stefano Lucchini was suspended for the visitors.

Empoli had the first scoring opportunity after three minutes, as Moro rushed into the area and was closed down for a corner by Christian Abbiati. The home side fought back with Gabriele Cioffi's header skimming the woodwork.

Roberto Stellone was very unlucky for Toro, as he held off Raggi to turn and spin his low shot on to the base of the upright with Daniele Balli beaten.

Another Cioffi header and Gianluca Comotto shaved the post, but there was controversy at the 57th minute. Abbiati completely missed a corner kick and Marianini nodded towards an empty net. Simone Barone performed a goalline clearance, but replays suggest it definitely crossed the line entirely. Saudati was booked for dissent, but the goal was not given to Empoli.

Moments later Toro threatened with Balli rushing off his line to smother Elvis Abbruscato's cross for Stellone. Abbruscato also struck the side-netting.

Torino got to celebrate their Centenary after all as Gianluca Comotto scored a sensational goal in the final minutes. He cut in from the left and unleashed an unstoppable left-foot strike from the edge of the area inbetween the 'keeper and near post.

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Torino: Abbiati; Di Loreto, Cioffi, Franceschini, Comotto; Barone, De Ascentis, Balestri, Lazetic (Abbruscato 56); Rosina (Fiore 77), Stellone (Muzzi 84)

Empoli: Balli; Raggi (Marzoratti 63), Adani, Pratali, Ascoli (Tosto 46); Almiron, Moro; Busce', Vannucchi, Marianini (Matteini 86); Saudati

Ref: Celi

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/tor-emp.html

[skeeta]

Truly shocking refereeing, with the worst being the disallowed goal for Empoli that was at least 50 cm over the line.

[D-Kin]

[D-Kin]

Empoli have opted not to make an official complaint about their goal that was wrongly disallowed.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...lia/dec4o.html

[Forza_Roma]

Terrible officiating.....that was clearly a goal...feel bad for the Empoli fans...the goal line video review must be implemented...every sports league has video review...time to invlove technology! I know they will be using it for the 07 WC..but this should of happened years ago!

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 15 - 10/12/06 (14.00 UK)
Milan - Torino

Stadio Meazza

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Milan are slowly starting along the comeback trail, but will need to be wary of a Torino side who are picking up momentum when they welcome the newly-promoted side to the San Siro. With both teams showing signs of improvement it should be a tense encounter.

With both Alberto Gilardino and Marco Borriello hitting the back of the net last week in the 2-2 draw at Cagliari, it looks like the Rossoneri could finally be overcoming their goal drought. That was the first time a striker had scored for Milan in over a month, and only the second time since the opening match of the season.

That lack of goals has also had a severe affect on the team’s results. Starting with the loss to Inter in the Milan derby they went on a spell ending with just one point from four games. They finally broke the curse with the Week 13 home win over Messina, but the draw in Cagliari was less than they would have hoped for, regardless of the sending off of Andrea Pirlo.

That red card also means that Milan will be without Pirlo for this match thanks to his suspension, but that will be far from Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s biggest concern. The Rossoneri’s growing injury list now includes Serginho, Marcos Cafu, Giuseppe Favalli, Alessandro Nesta, Alessandro Costacurta, Gennaro Gattuso and first choice goalkeeper Nelson Dida. That means the likes of Zeljko Kalac, Cristian Brocchi and Daniele Bonera will have another opportunity to impress Carletto in the first team.

Torino boss Alberto Zaccheroni – facing the club he took to Scudetto glory in 1999 – has no such problems. The only absence from his side is defender Marco Di Loreto who has picked up a suspension. That means Giuseppe Pancaro, Massimo Taibi and Christian Abbiati will also return to their former club, even if only the latter – who is still owned by Milan – is expected to feature from the start.

Former club or not, Zaccheroni’s men will be eager to add to their hosts’ woes. After three consecutive victories and the enormous celebrations last week for the club’s centenary, morale is at a real high amongst the Toro squad. The fallen giants are starting to claw their way back up and with the top four now just three points away the Granata will be desperate to keep up the pace.

Man on fire: Yoann Gourcuff (Milan) – Milan may have been stumbling, but the young Frenchman has been a revelation this season. Virtually unheard of this summer the midfielder has been in excellent form since his return from injury.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Milan (L L D W D) Torino (D L W W W)

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Milan (probable): Kalac; Bonera, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski; Gourcuff, Brocchi, Seedorf; Kaka; Gilardino, Inzaghi

Torino (probable): Abbiati; Brevi, Cioffi, Franceschini; Comotto, Barone, Ardito, Balestri; Lazetic, Rosina; Stellone

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/mil-tor.html

[D-Kin]

Torino are trying to sign Monaco midfielder Lucas Bernardi.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=20762

[D-Kin]

Cafu is back from injury and could play on Sunday.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...lia/dec8a.html

[D-Kin]

Modena are after Torino defender Matteo Melara.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=21004