Torino Vs Livorno Preview as Camolese Returns To Toro

By: Marco Stucazzo | January 12th, 2008

On January 13th 1968 , Johnny Cash recorded his landmark album At Folsom Prison live, 40 years later ; Livorno will be traveling to the Olimpico in Turin to take on Torino.

After a nice long (too long if you ask Aldo Spinelli) winter break, Serie A is back on and ready to entertain Italian football enthusiasts for another 5 months . Finally some Italian football, don’t the big boys at the Serie A front office know that Christmas time means more people on holiday, hence a possibility of more people in the stadiums. (i’m indirectly complimenting the Premiership here, much to my disgust)

At least, The Scudetto and Relegation battles are closer and more competitive than in recent years, so let’s get ready for some nice games and some excitement and some photo finishes. Let’s hope this all starts with the Sunday Torino vs Livorno matchup. The 2 burgundy-ish clubs will both be looking to get as far away as possible from the drop zone.

Livorno

The Livorno outfit is currently on a 7 game unbeaten streak (Yes! 7 games and no losses) The unbeaten streak includes encounters against teams like Roma, Udinese and a Diego Tristan goal. Livorno has a game in hand on the rest of the relegation battlers, seeing how they didn’t play Milan yet because of that Japanese world conquering thing.

La Squadra Labronica stands only 1 spot over the relegation zone at 16th in Serie A with 15 points after 17 games. Torino is in 15th place with 17 points, so a win or a draw in Turin would do a great deal in helping the Labronici get closer to safety and start aiming for that 10th spot they deserve. Toro have drawn five of their eight home games so far this season, so let’s at least try to give them a loss at home. Taking all 3 points in Turin would make Johnny Camels very happy

Camolese started his playing and coaching career at Torino. He started managing the Primavera side and then went on to lead the Granata to 1st place in Serie B in 2001. He brought instant promotion to a team that was in the relegation zone (4th from Last) He was then fired in 2002.

Johnny Camels has stated that he wants to celebrate with Torino on the penultimate matchday of the season in Livorno but I get the feeling Giancarlo Camolese would still love to stick it to his ex-employer and show what a great coach he is.

Mr. Camolese deserves all the credit he gets from his peers for revolutionising Livorno’s mentality and play since his appointment. However, he doesn’t get enough recognition for his excellent squad tinkering and the fact that he reads the game very well, something that Luciano Spalletti must be jealous of.

Giancarlo Camolese has been working miracles with the limited Livorno roster he has to cope with; let’s hope he continues this way, seeing how the January Transfer Market will probably be very scarce.

Aldo Spinelli has declared that he’ll be passing on the reigns of the Livorno squad at the end of the season.
This might explain why Livorno aren’t even going to ‘’try’’ and snatch Cristiano Lucarelli back, or any other proven Serie A star.

President Spinelli , who acts more like a sporting director than actual DS Signorelli, has stated that the Winter Window will only be used for some very minor fine tuning. Diminutive Brazilian Left-Back Sidny, has been acquired (he won’t be travelling to Torino with the squad) from Nautico Recife to give Davide Balleri and his 39 years some well deserved rest.

Other than that, Livorno is looking around (especially in Serie B) for some cheap but smart, Daniele De Vezze style, acquisitions. The most pressing need is a backup for Pasquale on the left flank. At least, World Transfer Target Marco Amelia hasn’t left yet and will be starting in net for Livorno on Sunday.

Amelia is back from the minor injury that kept him out of the Atalanta game. The only players GC Camolese won’t be able to count on are Nico Pulzetti, Antonio Filippini and Fausto Rossini. The gaffer will be able to field his preferred starting XI, who of Giannichedda and E. Filippini will start being the only uncertainty.

The 3-5-2 will be in full effect !

Marco Amelia,

Alè Grandoni, Dario Knezevic, Galante,

Davide Balleri, E. Filippini, Daniele De Vezze, Martin Bergvold, Giovanni Pasquale,

Francesco Tavano, Diego Tristan

Bench : De Lucia, Rezaei, Pavan, Giannichedda, Loviso, Bogdani, Diamanti

Coach : Giancarlo ‘’Johnny Camels’’ Camolese.

Contrary to Livorno, Torino have some casualties on their side. Vincenzo Grella is suspended
,Marco Motta, Rubin, Vailatti, Ventola and ALÈ ROSINA are all ruled out due to injuries. Walter Novellino will probably field a Christmas tree with Alvaro Recoba in the Starting Eleven.

Probable Formation (4-3-2-1):

Matteo Sereni,

Comotto, Natali, Dellafiore, Lanna,

P. Zanetti, Corini , Barone,

Di Michele, A. Recoba

Bjelanovic

Bench : Fontana, Di Loreto, Bottone, Lazetic, Benedetti, Oguro

Coach : Novellino.

Even without their star player, Torino remains a dangerous opponent.
It’s a total mystery to me how they are still at the bottom of the table under such teams as Catania, Genoa and Atalanta. With a little bit more luck on the finishing end , Torino would have a much better place in the standings. Bjelanovic and Nicola Ventola are not getting the job done. This is the reason Torino have been linked with Rolando Bianchi, Lucarelli and pretty much every other available decent big man out there. Let’s hope their lack of atrue Center forward will turn to Livorno’s advantage.

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!