Torino continued their quest for a place in Europe with an important 2-1 victory over Atalanta on Saturday afternoon.
Matteo Darmian, who featured twice for Italy in the past week, started on the bench - whilst Maxi Lopez and Fabio Quagliarella cemented their place as Ventura's first choice front two.
Toro took the lead mid-way through the first half when Fabio Quagliarella smashed a sensational free kick past Marco Sportiello in the Atalanta goal.
Atalanta almost responded immediately, but Daniele Padelli made a smart save to deny Davide Zappacosta's long range effort. However, six minutes before half time, Toro doubled their lead after Kamil Glik volleyed home Omar El Kaddouri's corner,
That was the Polish defender's seventh goal this season, and the Torino captain showed excellent technique to score it.
The Granata had opportunities to extend their lead in the second half, but both Giuseppe Vives and Omar El Kaddouri had efforts saved by Sportiello. With fifteen minutes remaining, Atalanta reduced the deficit in incredible fashion as Maxi Moralez's free kick found an unmarked Mauricio Pinilla, and the Chilean striker scored with a bicycle kick.
In injury time, an off the ball incident resulted in both Pinilla and Toro substitute Migjen Basha being red carded, although the Albanian international will feel his punishment was rather harsh. Toro held on to record a second consecutive victory, and the Granata are now just five points away from 6th placed Napoli.
Forza Toro
No comments:
Post a Comment