|
Torino grabbed a crucial 2-0 victory over Cagliari thanks to Alessandro Rosina and an own goal.
This was both a battle to avoid falling into the drop zone and a potential launching pad for the Granata's UEFA Cup bid, according to Coach Walter Novellino, as the two teams were locked together on eight points. Toro were without Ivan Franceschini, Nikola Lazetic, Simone Barone, Vincenzo Grella and talented youngster Matteo Rubin – who could be out for the rest of the season - while Cesare Natali sat out a two-match ban. At least Alvaro Recoba was back from injury.
Within three minutes Cagliari had gone close to an opener when Alessandro Matri got his head to a Pasquale Foggia cross and forced Matteo Sereni into a tough save.
Toro had an even better opportunity soon after, as Recoba rolled a free kick across to Alessandro Rosina for a fierce left-foot strike from the edge of the area that cracked against the upright.
Sereni missed a dangerous Ferri cross from the right and Nicola Ventola's weak header was comfortably saved from a Recoba assist.
The Sardinians should have done better on 32 minutes, as Del Grosso's centre found a diving Daniele Conti header that skimmed the near post. In the first half Cagliari had the better of the overall play, but could not turn their possession into clear-cut chances.
Torino's injury problems deteriorated when Recoba limped off with new muscular setback to make way for Marco Motta. Nonetheless, the home side had a splendid scoring opportunity on the stroke of half-time. Motta's cross found Tommaso Vailatti's powerful header that thumped the post with Marco Fortin beaten.
Paolo Bianco's deflection on a Vailatti cross risked an own goal, but Cagliari also found the woodwork after the restart with a trademark Conti free kick from 20 metres.
Roberto Stellone made his seasonal debut after recovering from injury, but the visitors were furious when Lanna appeared to handle the ball twice in the box to close down Foggia, but the referee and linesman waved play on.
Conti and Eugenio Corini both had long-range free kicks smothered and the Cagliari man also just failed to tap in a promising cross.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 71 minutes when took advantage of a Parola deflection, leaving Rosina clear on goal to beat Fortin in a one-on-one situation.
Cagliari poured forward and introduced three attacking substitutes, but Under-21 international Robert Acquafresca could not get enough power on to his header to surprise Sereni.
Torino were pinned back into their own half, but doubled their advantage four minutes from time. Corini's corner kick found Motta's header and a deflection off Ferri scored a heartbreaking own goal.
Marco Giampaolo's men did not give in and in stoppages Sereni flew to parry a Conti free kick.
| 
