Toro win the second in a row!

di Andrea Rosselli

The bad days now seem just a distant memory: Toro collected their second straight victory, and first on an away ground, by defeating Atalanta 2-0 at the end of a great performance, by far the most convincing of the season, thus confirming the huge improvements already shown against Sampdoria.

Toro started with the same lineup of last week’s win over the Blucerchiati, with the lone exception of Abbruscato who replaced suspended Stellone, while the hosts fielded their usual 4-4-2 formation. Led by an immense Rosina, who gave the Orobici plenty of problems with his movement, the Granata played a really good first half: even though they were unable to create any big scoring opportunity, as Abbruscato was too isolated upfront, Zaccheroni’s men played with an impressive personality, taking control of the midfield and putting a big pressure on the hosts’ defence for most of the 45 minutes, while once again Cioffi superbly led a very concentrated defensive line and Ardito gave his usual great contribution in the middle.

Apart from an early counterattack by Ventola, favoured by a bad Di Loreto mistake, and a last-minute shot by Rivalta that skimmed the bar, Atalanta never managed to threaten Abbiati’s net and were often booed by their own fans. Rosina, who looked even more inspired than last week, was the protagonist of Toro’s lone real chance, precisely in the 32nd minute, when he fired a left-footer by the edge of the box that skimmed the post.

Atalanta started the second half with a different attitude and in the first minutes Toro suffered a bit the Orobici’s pressure: soon, however, the Granata settled and the game became more balanced. Between the 59th and the 60th minute both teams went close to the lead: first Soncin wasted a good chance by shooting weakly from the edge of the small box, while seconds later a right-footer by Ardito finished just wide.

In the final part of the match Toro took once again control of the midfield, and after a great play by Rosina, whose shot was well saved by Calderoni in the 66th minute, the Granata took the deserved lead in a very lucky way: in the 78th minute, while trying to sweep the box following a shot by Lazetic, Atalanta defender Loria hit his teammate Bernardini and the ball finished behind Calderoni with a tricky trajectory.

Zaccheroni made his first change, replacing Lazetic with De Ascentis, and Toro defended their lead with determination. The Granata sealed the victory in the 88th minute with a masterpiece by Rosina: the diminutive forward conquered the ball in the middle and flied all alone towards Calderoni’s net, dribbling a defender and beating the Atalanta goalkeeper with a soft touch.

Atalanta managed to score in the last seconds of the injury time with a header by Loria, but it was too late: another win for Toro!