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Today we will be looking over the summer that Cherno Samba has had at Torino. First up is how the squad looked before he took over. A lack of depth at Goalkeeper and central midfield was clear to see and would have to be addressed for Torino to have a good season.View attachment 234268
First up we will look at his sales View attachment 234266A few big names moved on and lots of wages cleared as a result. The big sales were that of last season's starting goalkeeper, Daniel Padelli, to Sassuolo in a deal worth an initial 1.2 million euros but could go to above 2 million. Lys Gomis a back up keeper went to Modena for a million. Last season second leading goal scorer for Torino Quagliarella went to Rubin Kazan for 650,000 euros and a couple of youngsters left of frees and some were released. 35 year old Amauri also agreed a deal to join Guangzhao and will leave on a free in January. There are rumours of further outgoings from Torino.

They rejected bids for Kamil Gilk from Monaco and AC Milan. Marko Vesevoic from Palermo and Maksimovic from Napoli.

Now for the incomings. Marin, Okazaki, Paloschi, Micha and Benassi were signed before Samba came and the trasfers of Micha and Okazaki meant that the two non-EU signings had been made before Samba came.



In other footballing news West Ham, CSKA Moscow and Kilmarnock all saw big money takeovers this summer. Torino missed out on striker Khouma Babacar who joined Atalanta for just over 2 million Euros. But, onto the players they did get.

Andrea Consigli
The goalkeeper joined in a deal worth seven million euros from Sassuolo and will be Torino's number 1 and an upgrade on Padelli who was subsequently sold to Sassuolo.View attachment 234258
Christian Ledesma

The thirty two year old Italian international joined Torino to beef up their midfield in a deal worth around 2.6 million euros addressing another position of concern for TorinoView attachment 234257
Lukas Podolski

Torino shocked quite a few people by signing thirty year old striker/winger Lukas Podolski from Arsenal in a deal worth 6 million euros that will also see Arsenal pay some of his wages. Unfortunately for Torino fans he broke his ankle in pre season and will miss the first three months of the season.View attachment 234256Benito Raman

The twenty year old Winger/Striker signed from AA Gent in a deal worth 1.6 milion Euros and looks to have decent potential for Torino though it may be a season or two before he makes a big impact.View attachment 234255Hector Otin

The 19 year old striker signed from rivals Juventus but many considered him to be a steal for the 600,000 euros paid by TorinoView attachment 234254
Marcel Buchel

The twenty four year old defensive midfielder also signed from Torino in a deal worth 1.1 million euros. Capped by Austria the defensive midfielder will add some quality to the central midfield.View attachment 234253
Torino have spent well but, manager Cherno Samba is thought to have wanted another central midfielder but, couldn't find one cheap and good enough.

Torino play their fist game tomorrow at home against Empoli in the Italian Cup third qualifying round.​
 
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The teams are out Darmian is suspended and Podolski injured and they are the two big misses for Torino while Okazaki, Marin, Ledesma, Consigli and Micha make their Torino debuts. Torino should beat Empoli who are in the Serie B.

14 minutes Empoli lead some nice wing play leads to a good cross that is volleyed home at the near post by a wide open striker where was the defense.

20th minute more good work from Empoli on the right wing and the ball is cut back to the edge of the box and WHAT A HIT right into the top corner keeper had no chance 2-0 Empoli

26 minutes Micha plays the ball out to Marchese he whips in a cross and Okazkai heads it onto the post the rebound hits him in the stomach and goes in. A debut goal for Okazaki a touch fortuitous but, still counts. 2-1

36 minutes Empoli again threaten down the left wing this time the cross is cleared to Micha he beats two men and crosses. The ball is cleared to him and he whips a ball in that Marin heads onto the post so close to leveling the game up.

Half Time and Empoli lead Samba will be disappointed with his team so far. Marin is off Okazaki moves to left winger and Paloschi goes up front.

60 minutes Vives replaced by Martinez

61 minutes Micha should score after Martinez picks him out in space just inside the box.

71 minutes a free kick by Torino is cleared and Empoli counter Ledesma stops it then finds Matinez in space and he slots his effort under the keeper to level the game up. 2-2

82 minutes A Ledesma corner is cleared and Empoli counter Gilk pulls back his man needlessly and gets his second yellow Torino reduced to ten men Jansson replaces Okasaki as Torino go 4-4-1

87 minutes Ledesma whips in a great free kick at the back post Martinez gets the deftest of touches to redirect it in Torino lead 3-2

93rd minute Empoli have a free kick last chance whipped in to the box and headed in wait offside. That is the end of the game.

After the game my laptop shut down to update so will instant result a win for me annoying as it was a great debut game but, oh well
 
First Serie A game against Calgari an away game that we should win. We also drew Avellino in the cup.View attachment 234195
Nainggolan will be the key man from Calgari, Ledesma for us.

2 minutes almost a great start. A Marin free kick is whipped in it bounces around in the box before Paragini slammed it in but, he was offside. Millimeters in it but, the right decision.

5 minutes Roco of Calgari gets a booking.

31 minutes Nainggolan picks up a booking for a hard tackle.

35 minutes Conti is the next Calgari player into the book

41 minutes Dossenna goes in the book can Calgari end the game with ten men?

46 minutes Parigini is injured Podolski replaces him and swaps wings with Marin.

Half time an awful half of football it can only get better.

56 minutes Nainggolan goes off injured.

57 minutes Paloschi replaces Okazaki

58 minutes Conti goes off injured second Calgari player but, no Torino player is in the book.

64 minutes Ledesma is booked for a poor tackle.

69 minutes Buchel harshly booked for a tackle.

70 minutes HIGHLIGHT ALERT After a long ball Gilk brings down Longo in the box Calgari have a penalty. It looked harsh and Darmian is booked for dissent. Caio Rangel hits a poor penalty but it sneaks past Consigli

75 minutes Martinez replaces Buchel

76 minutes Paloschi and Podolski combine but, Podolski hits the keeper from close range.

81 minutes a tackle by Gilk inadvertently plays in Longo but Darmian recovers to block his shot almost game over.

95 minutes Martinez fires well wide from inside the box and then the final whistle goes

Torino lose their first league game under Cherno Samba to a questionable penalty.View attachment 234189
 
View attachment 234173Torino outclassed newly promoted Avellino to win their first home game of the season. Gazzi headed Torino ahead after finding room from a free kick in the box. Lukas Podoloski scored his first goal for the club tapping in the rebound from a great free kick. Manager Cherno Samba sent on a couple of youngsters at half time and they did well. Okasaki finished the scoring in the 51st minute turning on the edge of the box before hitting a powerful shot past the keeper. In the 81st minute Gilk, who Torino rejected a 7.5 million euro bid from Braga for and a smaller bid from West Ham, was sent off for his second yellow card. Torino won as was expected of them and will be pleased to have picked up three points.
 
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