Torino and Catania drew 2-2 in an exciting encounter at the Olimpico on the final night of Serie A action.
Former Juventus midfielder Sergio Almiron put the Sicilians ahead before Alessio Cerci brought the Granata level before Pablo Barrientos again put the Rossazzurri ahead and then Rolando Bianchi rounded off the drama with a fairytale goal on what looks to be his final Torino appearance.
Cerci was first to test the goalkeeper in this one with Alberto Frison diving down smartly to make the stop from the Torino winger who was certainly in the mood.
The departing Ferdinando Coppola was then called upon at the other end for the home side and he did equally well to prevent Barrientos from giving Catania the lead.
However take the lead they did midway through the half after Cerci tried an audacious strike from range, the ball found its way into the Toro half and Almiron pounced to convert from Lucas Castro’s cross.
The Granata’s Italian international was continuing to cause problems though and did have the ball in the net before the break but that effort was ruled out for offside.
Shortly after the break though the goal that he deserved duly arrived when substitute Matteo Brighi’s pass found the winger who remained cool in front of goal to slot the ball home.
No sooner had they pulled level than their defensive problems came to the fore once more when Barrientos capitalised on uncertainty between Angelo Ogbonna and Guillermo Rodriguez to drive the ball home and put Catania in front once more.
Little else of note was happening as the game moved towards a dull finish before the Olimpico exploded after getting the goal that everyone came to see: a parting gift from the captain.
Bianchi came off the bench and, despite first hitting the upright, would not be denied what will surely be his 77th and final goal in the claret colours when he scored from close range after getting in front of Nicolas Spolli.
