Torino's extraordinary week continued as they extended their unbeaten run to twelve Serie A matches with a narrow 1-0 victory against Napoli on Sunday evening.
As expected, Bruno Peres returned to the starting eleven for Toro - with the Brazilian wing back being ineligible for the Europa League, whilst fellow South American Josef Martinez was chosen to partner Fabio Quagliarella up front.
It was Peres and Martinez who combined in the early stages for the Granata's first chance of the match, but the former's low cross was somehow blazed over the bar by the Venezuelan forward.
Omar El Kaddouri, who impressed in both legs against Athletic Bilbao, had Toro's next chance, but the Moroccan should have done better with his half volley from the edge of the area.
Napoli were restricted to long range efforts in the first half, but Marek Hamsik almost opened the scoring in sensational fashion with a volley from distance that flew narrowly past the post.
The away side were beginning to control the game, and Daniele Padelli had to fist away Gonzalo Higuain's shot from just outside the area. However with around twenty minutes remaining, defender Kalidou Koulibaly needlessly gave away a corner and Toro capitalised.
Alexander Farnerud's corner found the unmarked Kamil Glik, and the captain headed home his sixth goal of the season so far.
Napoli had two great chances to rescue a point, but Gonzalo Higuain blazed his shot over the bar, whilst substitute Manolo Gabbiadini was unlucky to see his free kick rebound off the post. Cesare Bovo almost doubled Toro's lead with a free kick of his own, but he was denied by Mariano Andujar's quick reactions.
This result means that if the season had started on January 1st, Toro would be top of the league - and have yet to taste defeat in the league in 2015.
Forza Toro!
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