Giampiero Venture made five changes to his Torino side that went down 4-1 to Parma last week, introducing Guillermo Rodriguez, Matteo Darmian, Alessio Cerci, Paulo Barreto and Riccardo Meggiorini for Salvatore Masiello, Angelo Ogbonna, Valter Birsa, Giuseppe Vives and Rolando Bianchi. Vladimir Petkovic made four changes from his side that lost to Fiorentina last week, Michael Ciani, Antonio Candreva, Ogenyi Onazi and Libor Kozak coming in for Andre Dias, Ederson, Hernanes and Sergio Floccari.
Torino vs. Lazio, final score 1-0: Toro down Lazio at snowy Olimpico
Torino beat Lazio 1-0 at a snow-covered Olimpico di Torino, the visitors having to play with ten men for over an hour.
Valerio Pennicino
The match began with snow pouring down and covering the pitch, an orange ball was necessary for the players to see it. Another result of the snow was that it produced quite a heavy pitch, with the ball holding up and both sides struggling to keep possession.
The first chance fell to the visitors, Lorik Cana heading Alvaro Gonzalez's cross against the post and Gonzalez fluffing the follow up, the ball going harmlessly wide.
Michael Ciani was awarded a yellow card for taking down Paulo Barreto and a minute later, he again knocked the Brazilian flying. The referee had no choice but to give the Frenchman another yellow card and force Lazio to play with ten men for the remaining 74 minutes. In the immediate aftermath of the card, Torino struggled to make the advantage count although Guillermo Rodriguez headed Alessio Cerci's free kick just wide. Lazio were remaining in the game despite the sending off but in truth very few clear chances were created for either side, the snow harming any chance of fluent passing.
Into the second half and Torino were still struggling, a chance coming when Danilo D'ambrosio's cross came off the back of Antonio Candreva's head, although Marchetti was comfortably able to gather.
With just under ten minutes to play, Torino finally managed to make their advantage count as they found a goal. Alessio Cerci's corner was flicked home by substitute Jonathas, the Brazilian having just been introduced and scoring with his first touch. Although it came late, the goal appeared to buoy Torino and Cerci himself cut in from the right to unleash a shot which skidded along the slippery surface, Federico Marchetti scrambling to hold it at the second attempt.
The match should've ended 2-0 to the hosts as substitute Rolando Bianchi was played clean through, but Marchetti did well to get out to him and forced him to shoot wide. Despite this, Torino held on for the points and Lazio's push for the Champions League has been harmed yet further.
Torino: Gillet; Darmian Glik, Rodriguez, D’Ambrosio; Cerci, Brighi, Gazzi, Santana (Birsa 61); Meggiorini (Bianchi 57), Barreto (Jonathas 80)
Lazio: Marchetti; Pereirinha, Ciani, Cana, Radu; Candreva, Gonzalez (Biava 77), Ledesma, Onazi (Saha 79), Lulic; Kozak (Ederson 77)
Goals: Jonathas 82 (T)
Sent off: Ciani 16 (L)
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