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Sunday, February 6, 2011

Torino 1-2 Sassuolo

Torino's promotion hopes were dealt a huge blow after an embarrassing home defeat against relegation threatened Sassuolo. The defeat was disappointing for the home side, due to the fact Torino had taken the lead in the first half, with Rolando Bianchi (who else) converting a penalty after Angelo Rea was penalised for a handball in the area. However, Torino were unable to capitalise on the lead given to them by their captain, and Sassuolo equalised ten minutes into the second period, via Andrea De Falco's outstanding free kick. De Falco then scored what proved to be the winner mid way through the second half, after Sassuolo were awarded a penalty when Valerio Di Cesare was harshly adjudged to have fouled Andrea Catellani.

Whilst this defeat was undeniably a painful one for the fans to endure, the reality is that Torino are only out of the playoff positions on goal difference, and promotion, albeit via the playoffs is still possible. However, questions must be asked as to why Torino continue to underachieve despite having one of the best squads in the division. In Angelo Ogbonna and Rolando Bianchi, they have two players who have been the subject of interest from many Serie A teams, and the fact they have been able to retain these players should have acted as a catalyst for a promotion push. Instead the team seems to have gone backwards since the winter break, and have not won a league match since December 18th.

After the final whistle on Saturday, a lot of the fans anger was directed towards chairman Urbano Cairo, and perhaps a change in ownership would be one way to move the club forward. The future of coach Franco Lerda could also be questioned, though for a club who have had seven coaches in five years, stability is certainly something that has been lacking, and wouldn't be helped by another change in that department.

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