Torino recovered from the disappointment of losing three points in the courts on Friday evening by claiming a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Crotone.
The controversial decision to award Torino a 3-0 victory after December's match against Padova (that was abandoned due to floodlight failure) has now been overturned, so Torino went into this match level on points with Sassuolo who were victorious last night.
Torino made a few changes from the team that beat Reggina on Wednesday, with Alessandro Sgrigna, Stefano Guberti and Nnamdi Oduamadi coming into the team. Torino had the perfect start after just three minutes when Sgrigna's corner was met by a thumping header from Kamil Glik, as the Polish international scored his second goal for the club.
The visitors had a fantastic opportunity to equalise soon afterwards, but French defender Kevin Vinetot missed the target despite having a free header from a set piece. Crotone were made to pay for that miss six minutes before Half Time as Mirco Antenucci crossed perfectly for striker partner Alessandro Sgrigna to head home from six yards.
On the hour mark, Crotone were given a lifeline when the referee pointed to the spot after Angelo Ogbonna was adjudged to have fouled Brazilian striker Caetano Calil. It seemed to be an extremely harsh decision to award a penalty as it looked as though Ogbonna had lost his footing before unintentionally bumping into the player. However, despite the bewildered Italian international protesting his innocence, Calil stepped up to take the penalty himself and he sent Francesco Benussi the wrong way to reduce the deficit.
That goal meant the momentum was with the Calabrians, and Calil almost scored again moments later, but his 20 yard strike was palmed away by Benussi. Crotone's goalkeeper Vid Belec almost gifted Toro a third goal when his attempted pass was intercepted by Giuseppe Vives, but the Slovenian stopper made amends to deny the experienced midfielder.
Torino were able to see out the rest of the match without any serious scares, and this victory puts them two points clear of 2nd placed Pescara. Toro will have an opportunity to extend their lead on Tuesday evening, although they face difficult looking fixture away to Livorno.
Forza Torino
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