Match Preview: Torino Calcio vs UC Sampdoria

By: Kshitiz | October 6th, 2007

Match Details
When: 7/10/07, 3 pm ( 6:30 at my place)
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Turin aka The bull stable of Turin

Last Season’s Meetings

Last year, the two sides met twice, and scored 1-0 victories over each other at their respective homes. Novellino was the coach of the Doriani ( Any guesses where he is now?) , and the only thing consistent about Samp was that they were inconsistent throughout the whole year. The first meeting ended in a 1-0 win for Toro after a highly dubious late penalty awarded to them. In the second match, we didn’t have the regular first XI. So Novellino gave a start to the highly talented Vladimir Son-of-a-Gun Koman, who immediately proved his class by sending a superb through ball to Bonazzoli who had no problems in finishing from close range.
The season ended on a not so good note for us, and we lost Quagliarella and Parola, two of our most consistent performers over the last year. Still we can take heart from the fact that we quite unlucky over the whole season, and atleast the better team than Torino over the two matches

The difference from last season

Having lost arguably the most exciting young player of the last season, and another hardworking midfielder in Parola,we even decided it was time to let go off Novellino. Even today, the blucherati are indebted to him for making the passage from Serie B to Serie A when all hope was lost. His achievements are not limited to this, and he almost got us back to the UCL next season , just finishing behind Spalletti’s Udinese. But after that, darkness. The next two seasons were very messy, and I’m happy we signed another able coach in Mazzari.

a)To make up for the departure of Quags,Bazzani and Flachi( temporarily), we signed Bellucci, Cassano,Montella and Caracciolo(Yuck!!!)

b)To provide for Defensive cover, after Losing Falcone and Parola, we got Lucchini,Campagnaro and Gastaldello

c) Paolo Sammarco, ex-Milan and Chievo, was bought to run amok on the wings.

d) After Antonioli’s time as goalie, I dont recall any good goalie playing, everything in between was a blur. So we got Mirante on loan from Juve

As of now, it is very early to say how these new signings have performed, even though Bellucci has banged in quite a few goals, Montella has provided numerous assists and Campagnaro is one of the better wingbacks this season. Samp lie 10th in the table, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses amounting to 8 points.

Match Forecast

Probable starting XI
Mirante, Lucchini, Sala, Gastaldello, Campagnaro, Palombo, Volpi, Sammarco, Delvecchio, Bellucci, Montella

Bench: Castelazzi,Ziegler,Koman,Pieri,Bastrini,Cassano,Caracciolo

Doria have lost their last three matches away from home, but come from a comforting victory over Internazionale lookalikes Atalanta, but after that there was the Aalborg humiliation. Expect Mazzari to send out his boys with all guns blazing to avenge the defeat against the ageing bulls of Turin.

Key Protagonists

a)Antonio Mirante:Showed flashes of brilliance during his term at the Gobbis in Serie B when that monster of a goalie was injured or suspended. Miles better than Castelazzi or berti, hope we net him in a co-ownership deal
b)Reto Ziegler: If Frank Arnesen and Martin Jol are siad to be good judges of talent, then how did they let this kid go. An absolute gem of a left foot, can play on the wing too. Expect him to show some moments of magic in the coming matches
c)Sergio Volpi: The veteran, the general, the captain. The midfield maestro has been here for so long, its hard to recall when he came here first, his stability in midfield will be crucial against the likes of Grella and co.
d)Gennaro DelVecchio: On his day, he can play well enough to get an azzuri callup, on another day however he can self-destruct. His physical presence and height give him such an advantage, can easily be a matchwinner. Was close to joining celtic, but chose to stay and the doriani faithful should be glad that he did
d)Antonio Cassano:Talentino was close to being the burger king of spain, then he chose sampdoria, hoping for a road to revival. It will probably take him a whole season to reach the form that prompted Roma to shell out 28 mn for a teenager, but he still has the flair that can turn a match around. Showed a glimpse when he scored against Atalanta las tweek, by first nicely trapping the ball, and then slotting home coolly. the Blucehrati expect a lot of him, especially if any one of Montella or Bellucci is injured.
e)Vincenzo Montella: The prodigal son has come back home again.We lost him to some southern team in 1999 when we had to endure Serie B hell, but were well paid for his worth. Played at Roma, coming often as a decisive substitute initially and had major role after Batistuta retired. Initially played as a poacher, now more as a trequartista with some visionary play. Why does Spalletti want to get rid of such a gem, when he obviously has a dearth of in the box finishing strikers, is still a mystery. Will be marked closely in the match, but has to free himself if we want to create chances.
f)Claudio Bellucci: The revelation of the season. If you didnt guess by now, the picture on the top is of his first stint with us, which didnt go very well. Has been Bologna’s saviour in Hell for the past two seasons, and likely to be ours in this. A true fox-in-the-box, his partnership with Aerplanino has been amazing. Expect a brace from him in the Toro match.No wonder Spalletti wanted him for his team.

Key Antagonists

a)Gianluca Comotto: A former Roma player, has worked hard to become Toro captain. Has chipped in quite a few goals too. To be handled with care.
b)Vince Grella: The lesser known of the two aussie evils( the other’s at Palermo), had rock solid displays for Parma, and when they couldnt hold him any longer, Toro came calling. A vital part of their midfield, expect major battles with Volpi.
c)Alessandro Rosina : Simply put, the hottest new youngster in town. Every other club his after this livewire, but he signed a new contract and that should be a major boost to Torino. Has to be controlled thoughout the match, if not, he will score or create decent chances.
d)Alvaro Recoba:Has been our nemesis in the past, and for a reason too. The 3-2 match has become a part of legends.Still can’t believe how he put the ball in,when only seconds remained on the clock. Extremely dangerous on set pieces
e)Andrea Caracciolo: Am I kidding? No I’m not. There is no other way to put it, I am more comfortable with Kalu playing upfront rather than him. Will be our key opponent if he plays, counting the number of misses he has had in recent times.

Prediction: If we let Recoba and Rosina play their natural game, there is no way in hell we are gonna win. However if we keep them in check, and play our natural game, I don’t see them winning. Expect a 2-1 win for the Blucherati.

Random Stuff

a) Random Video of the day: Enjoy Boy George

b)Grandissimo Goal di Bonazzoli

c)Some video-games don’t portray us very well

d) Volpi plays some Random guy :