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Cesare Bovo scored the goal, Gianni De Biasi returned to the bench, but Torino's real hero was Christian Abbiati.
This was certainly a bizarre match from the outset. Both Torino and Cagliari fired their Coaches on Monday and brought back their predecessors - Alberto Zaccheroni making way for De Biasi and Franco Colomba stepping aside after just eight games for the returning Marco Giampaolo.
It was also, unsurprisingly considering the situation, battling against relegation. Toro were on six straight defeats, while the Sardinians had lost three of their last four and were without the injured Mauro Esposito and suspended Antonio Langella. Having been left in the stands as punishment for criticising the club, Alessandro Rosina returned to the fold under De Biasi's new regime.
David Suazo sprinted into the area and his shot was beaten away by Christian Abbiati, but it was Toro who opened the scoring.
After 23 minutes Cesare Bovo caught the rearguard unawares for a free header from a corner kick.
Rosina excelled under De Biasi last season and he was back to his best, a low angled drive beating Abbiati only to be kept out by a Daniele Conti goalline clearance.
Suazo was a constant danger and Abbiati required a desperate save to keep out the Honduran's header from point-blank range.
Abbiati was keeping Toro in front and fingertipped an Andrea Capone header out from under the crossbar.
In the final minute the former Juventus and Milan goalkeeper was again decisive, flying to push Capone's free kick out of the top corner.
Ardito was sent off for a late tackle, but Abbiati kept up the heroics on Pepe's counter.
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