Torino 2-2 Fiorentina

Torino took the lead twice against high-flying Fiorentina, but the Viola fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon.

Giampiero Ventura made just the one change from the team that were beaten by Roma on Monday, as Riccardo Meggiorini replaced Alessandro Sgrigna upfront.

 

The only significant incident in the opening thirty minutes was a nasty clash of heads between Torino defender Kamil Glik and Fiorentina striker Luca Toni which led to both players being substituted. Five minutes before half time, Torino opened the scoring with their first shot on goal, as two former Fiorentina players combined when Mario Santana delivered a perfect cross to find an unmarked Alessio Cerci who scored his first goal for the club.

Fiorentina, who had won their previous five matches, had a chance to equalise before the break, but Mati Fernandez's shot went wide of the post. And Torino could have doubled their lead with the last kick of the half when Mario Santana went on a slaloming run past four Viola defenders, before his shot was saved by Emiliano Viviano - and on reflection, he probably should have played in Alessio Cerci who was once again unmarked.

Alessio Cerci was continuing to create problems against his former side, and after good work down the right wing, he cut in with his left foot and forced Viviano into making another save. However Fiorentina were not rolling over, and in quick succession Gonzalo Rodriguez and Haris Seferovic both came close to scoring an equaliser.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Fiorentina did get back on level terms, as for the second game in succession Danilo D'Ambrosio conceded a controversial penalty. On this occasion there did seem to be slight contact with Juan Cuadrado, but the Colombian certainly did make the most of it. Centre back Rodriguez made amends for his missed chance minutes earlier, as he sent Gillet the wrong way to make it 1-1. 

Incredibly however, Torino regained the lead less than two minutes later, as a low cross from substitute Valter Birsa evaded everybody and went straight into the bottom corner. It initially looked as though fellow substitute Alen Stevanovic had made some contact on the ball, and although he didn't - he did seem to distract Viviano away from the ball.

That goal looked as though it may be enough for all three points, but in the closing stages Fiorentina fought back once again as Mounir El Hamdaoui collected Cuadrado's pass and fired a fierce shot into the bottom corner.

The Granata will be disappointed by the fact that they let the lead slip on two occasions, but against an in-form Fiorentina side, a point is certainly a respectable result. Torino are back in action on Wednesday evening in the Coppa Italia, which will provide an unnecessary distraction ahead of the biggest game of the season so far - the derby against Juventus - on Saturday night.

Forza Torino