Torino's slump to continue with Bari loss
Nowadays, Torino are recognised as the poor relations of Turin's big cheese Juventus - a yo-yo club at best who have come to spend more time struggling in Serie B than impressing neutrals in Serie A, where their last top-half finish came back in 1993-94.
They weren't always known for constantly chopping and changing coaches and being shown up at home by the likes of Frosinone though. Back in the 1940s, they had the most statistically successful team in Italian football history - Il Grande Torino - before 18 players were tragically killed in the Superga air disaster in 1949.
The Granata had just captured their fourth consecutive title before that horrific turn of events and while they have been champions once more since in 1975-76, Torino have had little to celebrate in recent years and a promotion charge is already looking unlikely this season after a poor start.
The Coppa Italia therefore provides a welcome distraction, as well as a reminder of better times. They've won the competition on five previous occasions, with their last triumph in 1992-93 marking the last time they've got their hands on silverware, with the exception of the Serie B championship.
Franco Lerda's side stumbled past third-tier Cosenza after extra time to earn a trip to face the tenth-best performers in Italy last term, Bari, who have suffered three straight defeats. Further fuel for those fancying the upset at [5.1] is provided by Torino's five-match unbeaten run against their hosts.
It's impossible for us to look past Bari at the tempting price of [1.85] however. The Biancorossi have only lost one home game to date this campaign and that was against surprise leaders Lazio, while they've already seen off Juventus and Brescia at the Stadio San Nicola.
Bari v Torino
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Live on ESPN
Are there any Torino fans on the site? If so, have your say on their current plight below...
Published: 28 Oct 2010
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