It is a new season, but Torino’s problems finding the net are still the same, as Claudio Ranieri made his return to Serie A with a creditable away draw for Cagliari.
The Granata were missing Demba Seck with Nemanja Radonjic, Koffi Djidji and David Zima not at 100 per cent either. The Sardinians returned to the top flight after a last-gasp promotion play-off with against Bari and coach Claudio Ranieri will be forced to do without Gianluca Lapadula, Marko Rog and Marco Mancosu for several months. There was a change of system to three at the back for this game.
Boris Radunovic was called into a tricky reaction save in the opening three minutes on an Antonio Sanabria volley from close range on a corner.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also flew to fingertip a Nahitan Nandez curler away from the far top corner, while Perr Schuurs turned a free header wide from six yards.
Radonjic came off the bench and was denied by a crucial Obert sliding tackle in the box, while Jakub Jankto at full stretch could only prod his finish into the arms of Milinkovic-Savic.
Zappa made a decisive interception to stop Pietro Pellegri going clear after the cheeky Ivan Ilic back-heel flick and Leonardo Pavoletti’s half-volley was deflected wide.
Radonjic had a double opportunity to win it in stoppages, but his first strike was beaten away by Radunovic and the rebound nodded off target.
Toro were jeered off the field at the final whistle, as the fans chanted for President Urbano Cairo to ‘buy someone.’
Torino 0-0 Cagliari