Serie A Week 37 - 24/5/09 (14.00 UK)
Torino - Genoa
Stadio Olimpico
Torino have a golden opportunity to stave off relegation in their final home game of the season, as they welcome a sated Genoa side.
The Granata are clinging on for dear life to the last remaining safety spot, as they have a slender one-point cushion over Bologna. Last week they took a giant leap forward with a surprise 2-1 victory at Napoli, their first away win of the campaign, but it’s all still to play for. Considering the final round is at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico, Giancarlo Camolese’s men have got to get full points here.
They are in luck, as Genoa have now qualified for the Europa League – only the second time since the war that this club has reached continental competition – and know they have very little chance of catching Fiorentina in fourth. Gian Piero Gasperini also set aside questions over his future by extending his contract this week, while Diego Milito and Thiago Motta are on the verge of joining Inter. The mood, in other words, is relaxed and ready for the summer holidays.
Matteo Paro, Giuseppe Biava and Raffaele Palladino are sidelined, so Bosko Jankovic looks set to complete the trident attack with Giuseppe Sculli and Milito. Domenico Criscito, Giandomenico Mesto and Sokratis Papastathopoulos all return from suspension. The Rossoblu have managed just five points from as many games and appear to have run out of steam.
Torino’s long-term injury list remains intact with Eugenio Corini, Elvis Abbruscato, Marco Di Loreto and Paolo Zanetti. Alessandro Rosina finally got his first goal that wasn’t a penalty last week, even if it was a free kick, and is finding his feet in the 3-4-1-2 system. Roberto Stellone and Nicola Ventola are both options to partner Rolando Bianchi.
These are two of the oldest clubs in Italy and the last Genoa victory here in Serie A was a spectacular 6-3 result in April 1941. Due to one side or the other being in Serie B, there have been few meetings recently, last season’s 1-1 draw ending a 13-year drought for this fixture.
Keep an eye on: Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – Rosinaldo is the man who can invent something for this Toro side and keep them in Serie A, providing passes for the two big strikers upfront as well as making the most from set plays.
Last season: Torino 1-1 Genoa
Form guide: Torino (L W L D W) Genoa (L L W D D)
Torino (probable): Sereni; Franceschini, Pratali, Pisano; Colombo, Dzemaili, Barone, Rubin; Rosina; Bianchi, Stellone
Genoa (probable): Rubinho; Papastathopoulos, Ferrari, Bocchetti; Rossi, Thiago Motta, Juric, Criscito; Sculli, Milito, Jankovic
Ref: To follow...
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/tor-gen.html
Torino - Genoa
Stadio Olimpico
Torino have a golden opportunity to stave off relegation in their final home game of the season, as they welcome a sated Genoa side.
The Granata are clinging on for dear life to the last remaining safety spot, as they have a slender one-point cushion over Bologna. Last week they took a giant leap forward with a surprise 2-1 victory at Napoli, their first away win of the campaign, but it’s all still to play for. Considering the final round is at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico, Giancarlo Camolese’s men have got to get full points here.
They are in luck, as Genoa have now qualified for the Europa League – only the second time since the war that this club has reached continental competition – and know they have very little chance of catching Fiorentina in fourth. Gian Piero Gasperini also set aside questions over his future by extending his contract this week, while Diego Milito and Thiago Motta are on the verge of joining Inter. The mood, in other words, is relaxed and ready for the summer holidays.
Matteo Paro, Giuseppe Biava and Raffaele Palladino are sidelined, so Bosko Jankovic looks set to complete the trident attack with Giuseppe Sculli and Milito. Domenico Criscito, Giandomenico Mesto and Sokratis Papastathopoulos all return from suspension. The Rossoblu have managed just five points from as many games and appear to have run out of steam.
Torino’s long-term injury list remains intact with Eugenio Corini, Elvis Abbruscato, Marco Di Loreto and Paolo Zanetti. Alessandro Rosina finally got his first goal that wasn’t a penalty last week, even if it was a free kick, and is finding his feet in the 3-4-1-2 system. Roberto Stellone and Nicola Ventola are both options to partner Rolando Bianchi.
These are two of the oldest clubs in Italy and the last Genoa victory here in Serie A was a spectacular 6-3 result in April 1941. Due to one side or the other being in Serie B, there have been few meetings recently, last season’s 1-1 draw ending a 13-year drought for this fixture.
Keep an eye on: Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – Rosinaldo is the man who can invent something for this Toro side and keep them in Serie A, providing passes for the two big strikers upfront as well as making the most from set plays.
Last season: Torino 1-1 Genoa
Form guide: Torino (L W L D W) Genoa (L L W D D)
Torino (probable): Sereni; Franceschini, Pratali, Pisano; Colombo, Dzemaili, Barone, Rubin; Rosina; Bianchi, Stellone
Genoa (probable): Rubinho; Papastathopoulos, Ferrari, Bocchetti; Rossi, Thiago Motta, Juric, Criscito; Sculli, Milito, Jankovic
Ref: To follow...
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/tor-gen.html
