Serie A Top Four Betting Odds after Torino 0-0 Fiorentina

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Written by: Nathan Owusu

Fiorentina failed to cut the gap on Atalanta and the European places as they struggled to break down a resolute Torino side on Saturday. 

Midfielder Samuele Ricci was sent off for Torino in stoppage time of the first half but the home side held on to earn a point at the Olympic Grande Stadium. 

Fiorentina's European hopes further dented

The game started in an unfortunate way for Torino as Ranieri brought down Illic stopping a promising attack on the right hand side in the first minutes of the game. The challenge was strong enough to force Ivan Juric to an early sub and bring on Ricci. The game was even with both sides struggling to get control of the game.

The first meaningful attack came from the home side, Zapata bulldozed a run on the left hand side, dragging defenders with him before checking back on his right foot, crept into the box and hit a shot that just went over. This was the trigger Torino needed because the next attack came minutes later, a cross into Vlasic on the edge of the box but his tame effort was pushed away by a smart save from the keeper.

Another chance came for Torino who continued to push for an opener as Sanabria had a chance in the box blocked, continuing their growing attacking intent in the game.

Fiorentina had their first chance on the 25th minute. Biraghi pushed up the left flank and from defence and swung a pin point cross to who directed a header to the back post which crept wide.

The best chance of the half fell to Sarabria when he was played through by a sumptuous arrowed ball from Savic flying over the stretching into his path but as he got into the box he got caught into two minds which allowed the defender to come back and clear the ball. Torino had the ball in the back of net soon after from another lofted goal kick pass to Zapata and he buried a deflected shot into the net but VAR ruled it out after officials ruled he had pushed to the ground illegally in the build up.

Ricci dismissed in stoppage time

As half-time beckoned, Melo fouled Ricci to stop a counter attack. Frustrated, Ricci let his feelings be known to the referee, causing him to be sent off for the first time in a Torino shirt. It was his second yellow card after he was initially booked moments earlier. 

Two substitutes were made in the second half by the away side as Maxime Lopez and Antonin Barak came on for Arthur Melo and Lucas Beltran as they looked to use their man advantage to try and pose a more attacking threat.

As predicted, Fiorentina dominated possession, passing and probing for an opening to get their first shot on target. Torino still looked dangerous with attacks of their own when Bellanova was played on the right and drove a shot low but saved at the keepers near post & Gvidas Ginitis a second half sub for Torino fired over a free-kick from close range.

On the 63rd minute, Fiorentina finally had their first shot on target after a good cross in front was headed at the back post by Bonaventura and saved bravely by Savic who crashed into the post. Nico Gonzalez also tried to come into the game more by hitting a long range strike into the hands of Savic and curving in an inswinging cross into a dangerous area clearing everyone to go out for a goal kick.

Vincenzo Italinano made attacking changes by throwing on Mzola and Ikone came on for La Viola in the last 5 minutes to try to sneak a last-gasp winner. Just like the first half, drama which ended the second when Ivan Juric was sent off after expressing his frustration with the referee for a decision. Gonzalez came close at the end again but Torino held on and it remained goalless at full time.

Fiorentina odds widen following 0-0 draw

The result leaves Fiorentina in sixth position and six points off Bologna in fourth. The former now sit at 30/1 with PaddyPower to secure a spot in the Champions League next season following the result in Turin. 

Inter, Juventus and Milan's places all look secure as they sit comfortably in Serie A's top three. Atalanta remain favourite to land the final top four spot in Italy's top flight, coming in at 5/4 with PaddyPower (an implied probability of 44.44%). The former face Bologna on Sunday. 

Bologna stand at 10/3 with 888Sport, carrying an implied probability of 23.08%, while PaddyPower offer Roma at 7/2 with an implied probability of 22.22%. 

 

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