Tristan and Tavano Trounce Toothless Torino

By: Marco Stucazzo | January 14th, 2008

The game in Torino started in a rather festive atmosphere with Urbano Cairo and Aldo Spinelli horsing around like the spoiled privileged millionaires that they are. Ex-Torinese, Giancarlo Camolese had an almost perfect return to the olimpico, in front of a stadium full of fans that still appreciate what he did for Torino throughout the years. Only 45 minutes were necessary for Little Napoleon, (that’s how the Granata faithful had nicknamed him) to guide his Livorno Red Army to a well-deserved victory in Turin on Sunday. He even had a little get together with the Granata faithful after the match, Novellino wasn’t all that happy

Livorno collected all 3 points thanks to a Francesco Tavano brace and continue on their unexpected positive 8 game unbeaten feeding off a Rosina-less Torino 2 – 1.

Livorno fielded the good old 3-5-2, with no notable absentees and Vidigal being the only surprise in Midfield. Unfortunately, The game started badly for Livorno. Torino was the team with the best chances at the start of the match with the Recoba-Bjelanovic-Di Michele trident hovering around the 18-yard box.

In the 17th minute, Martin Bergvold injured himself. Fractured Right collarbone, The Dashing Dane will be out for a long time. I’d love to say that it’s not that bad, but let me shock you all by saying, even with the return of Jose Vidigal ; Livorno’s midfield isn’t that deep.

Giuliano Giannichedda came in for the aching Dane, he also got injured and had to be replaced by one of the Filippini twins in the 39th minute. Giancarlo Camolese had to use 2 non-tactical/useless substitutions in the first 40 minutes a lone. Thank God Francesco Tavano decided he absolutely needed to kiss his Tattoo on National Television.

The Caserta born striker scored his 1st goal of the New Year 21 minutes in; chesting down a wicked/amazing/brilliant Daniele «DDV» De Vezze Cross to split the defence before suavely placing the ball under a lonely Matteo Sereni. 1-0! Daniele De Vezze deserves a lot of credit for that goal; he’s fitting very well in GC Camolese’s 5 man midfield.

2 minutes into stoppage time, Comotto fouls De Vezze (him again) just outside of the area. Diego Tristan’s superb resulting free kick curls over the wall to hit the crossbar, the rebound comes back to a well positioned Tavano who calmely puts in past the keeper 2-1 and we’re headed to the locker rooms. Even Eugenio Corini’s genius wasn’t enough to give Torino’s sterile attack a little boost.

Livorno was happy with it it’s 2 goal lead and had only 1 substitution left, with Jose Vidigal returning after a lengthy stop due to injury. Davide Bottone’s 78th minute goal came on an awkward play that should have been called offside anyways, bringing down the gap to 1 goal. Walter Novellino switched to a 4-4-2 putting Lazetic but to no avail. From then on, Livorno continued counter attacking with the Tristan/Tavano duo that was feeding of some great defensive stops in the second half.

Davide Balleri had a decent chance in the end but shot it wide, I wonder if new boy Sidny would have slotted that one in. The Livorno defence then went on to close the game nicely giving Giancarlo Camolese a well-deserved victory in Torino.

Torino didn’t focus on Livorno’s weaknesses (Headers and Set pieces) The Bull did not get that many set pieces and is far from having a dangerous aerial attack. Marco Amelia had to save a couple of certain goals during the game but the main thing here is; Thank God Torino can’t finish! They had 23 shots on goal. 23! And only one goal (that was arguably offside anyways) Only 8 of them were on target. They had more shots on goal than fouls (22) the whole game.

All in all, another very positive result for Livorno, Aldo Spinelli has to be happy seeing how it’s easier to negotiate when your team is on fire!

Torino-Livorno 1-2

Goals: 21’ and 48’ Tavano, 78’ Bottone

Torino (4-3-2-1): Sereni ; Comotto , Dellafiore , Natali , Lanna ; Zanetti (37’ Bottone), Corini (6’ st Lazetic ), Barone , Recoba , Di Michele ; Bjelanovic (28’ st Oguro sv).

Bench : Fontana, Motta, Di Loreto, Nitride.

Coach : Novellino

Livorno (3-5-2): Amelia 7;
Grandoni 6, Knezevic 6.5, Galante 6;
Balleri 6.5, De Vezze 7, Vidigal 6, Bergvold (17’ G.G – 37’ Filippini 5.5), Pasquale 6;Tristan 6 (46’ st Bogdani), Tavano 8.Bench : Di Matteo, Pavan, Diamanti, Rezaei.

Coach: Camolese 7.5

3 Stars:

Marco Amelia: He played a great game seeing how he saw 23 shots fly by. The young stopper is trying his best to get someone better than Lazio to put in a bid for his services. Aside from the fact that he’s a born and bred Romanista, right now, a move to Lazio would be a lateral one anyway.

Daniele « DDV» De Vezze: He played a great game! He was everywhere in the midfield, getting back on the defensive side and contributing on offense as well. He managed to play an integral part of both goals today. The 1st goal came off one his assists and he obtained the Free Kick that provoked the 2nd goal.

Ciccio Tavano: Just by the way he plays and celebrates his goals you can see that he’s over his Valencia via Roma induced slump. Ciccio is at 8 goals this season, the same as Kaka. Tavano played a great game and finished his 2 best chances. He was able to kiss the tattoo on his arm (Giulia, his daughter) twice today for his third brace of the season. As the Amaranto #10 continues to make Igor Protti proud.

Our favourite Burgundy boys continue their slow but steady climb of the table with their 3rd away win of the season. The Labronici are now in 14th place, they stand 4 points above the relegation zone and are hanging out with the likes of Lazio and Parma with 1 game in hand.

RomaChris or OffsideChris or i hate Midgets and David Pizarro Chris has deemed Livorno’s positive run cool enough to be the 8th thing we learned about Serie A this week ;

Giancarlo Camolese should be up for sainthood soon.

After easily being the worst team in Serie A under old gaffer Fernando Orsi, the amaranti are, now get ready for this, 7 points from a European spot with a game in hand. They ended the sister kissing ways of the granata with a 2-1 win on Sunday, highlighted by that aforementioned Francesco Tavano brace, and now have an 8 game undefeated streak going. If you say you saw that coming, you’re lying through your teeth, Pinocchio.

Not only is Livorno now cool enough to hang out on The Offside front page, my 2008 prediction record is 100% accurate;

Prediction:

These 2 teams are masters in the Art of the Draw. Most experts are predicting a low scoring Torino victory, but I get the feeling Livorno will at least get a draw in Turin. Rosina is out and Torino doesn’t have a lethal offensive threat (Alvaro Recoba doesn’t count!) If Livorno’s defence holds the fort and the Tavano/Tristan partnership creates some offence, the Amaranto squad could easily take all 3 points

2-1 Livorno!

Forza Ragazzi!

And Blam! My prediction comes true. A 2-1 Livorno win while all the bookies and experts were predicting at best draw for Livorno in Torino. The payout was 4.90 for a Livorno win. Livorno is baffling the experts

*89 years ago, Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht were captured and and brutally assassinated in Berlin on January 15, 1919, in response to the January Berlin Revolution.