Alessio Cerci’s rise from out-of-favour Fiorentina troublemaker to key Torino player and potential Azzurri candidate has been incredible to watch this season at the Olimpico.
He has tormented left-backs both all over the peninsula this year and finally looks to be living up to all of that potential he showed early in his career at Roma.
His performance against Inter at San Siro was outstanding in the 2-2 draw, eclipsed only by Riccardo Meggiorini’s two-goal salvo, and again this past weekend was truly superb against Sampdoria.
The game may not have been one that will be discussed much this week, not being one of the most thrilling played over the weekend, or even much at all.
There were few chances created in the game for either side but one thing what was apparent was that everything Torino did effectively in an attacking sense went down their right hand side.
Danilo D’Ambrosio got forward at every opportunity and played like, well, Cerci by tearing past defenders at every opportunity and completed every dribble he attempted during the game.
He has clearly learned well from watching the man in front of him because the €6.5m summer signing is really living up to that price tag and terrorised the Sampdoria defence throughout.
The Blucerchiati did not help themselves much playing with a three-man defence and although they did attempt to double up on the 25-year-old, he still found space to get fizzing crosses and shots away.
A quick look at Cesare Prandelli’s Italy squad for this week’s friendly against the Netherlands and you would think that Cerci has certainly done enough to earn a call-up.
Perhaps that ‘badboy’ attitude is still sticking with him or perhaps Prandelli feels he will not fully suit the system but he has certainly did more to earn a place than, say, Antonio Nocerino or Sebastian Giovinco of late.
Contrast this with the other wing and the left hand side of Giampiero Ventura’s front four were Mario Alberto Santana continues to flatter to deceive, and in a major way.
The 31-year-old looks a real shadow of his former self and it is disappointing and somewhat to disheartening to see him play now and realise just how far he has fallen.
He arrived at Toro last summer on loan from Napoli and was another player, like his fellow wide man, who the club were taking a gamble on.
Unfortunately however, this one has not paid off for them and his efforts in the 0-0 draw against Sampdoria left a lot to be desired.
Remember the exciting Santana at Palermo who tore past full-backs at will and setting up Luca Toni and Andrea Caracciolo, helping each to their impressive scoring records?
Or recall the winger at Fiorentina who, along with Adrian Mutu and Giampaolo Pazzini were important players in the Viola attack (as well as old friend Toni) and was much feared by full-backs?
Sadly, this is not him anymore. He has lost that pace that made him so dangerous but his final ball this season has been much to poor while his attempt at winning a penalty against Samp with a ludicrous dive was frankly embarrassing.
There seems to be a real lack of confidence with him at the moment and unlike Cerci, he does not look to always want the ball and beat his man to send the ball in for a Toro forward line who are an aerial threat, especially when Rolando Bianchi plays.
If he does not soon get himself in order and give the Granata as good an attacking threat down the left as there is down the right then it may be time to give others a chance.
Alen Stevanovic and Valter Birsa are both viable options in the squad who could be hungry to prove a point and the the Genoa loanee has looked a threat every time he has played.
He could soon be due a run if Santana continues to keep up this level of performance.
