It was a tale of two penalties on Sunday afternoon as Torino dropped valuable points in the race for a Europa League place.
With perhaps one eye on the derby next week, Giampiero Ventura left Bruno Peres, Alessandro Gazzi and Maxi Lopez on the bench, with Cristian Molinaro, Giuseppe Vives and Josef Martinez preferred.
Marco Benassi capitalised on a slip from Saphir Taider, but his long range effort was diverted wide by Andrea Consigli. Josef Martinez was looking dangerous upfront, and the Venezuelan first effort hit the side netting, and then moments later his curling strike also forced Consigli into action.
The former Young Boys striker was then guilty of missing Toro's best chance of the half, as he blazed over the bar despite striker partner Fabio Quagliarella being better placed.
On the stroke of half time, the hosts were controversially awarded a penalty when Antonio Floro Flores conned the refereed by running into Kamil Glik, and theatrically diving to the ground. Domenico Berardi converted the spot kick to give Sassuolo the lead.
On the hour mark, Toro were awarded a penalty of their own, and coincidentally it was the same two players involved, with Floro Flores catching Glik with a wild attempted clearance. Fabio Quagliarella stepped up, and sent Consigli the wrong way to equalise.
Minutes later, substitute Maxi Lopez was through on goal after an exquisite pass from Quagliarella, but Consigli denied the Argentine striker. In the dying seconds of the match, Andrea Consigli saved his best save til last as he turned a Fabio Quagliarella snap shot round the post.
Given their dominance, Toro will look at this as two points lost in their quest for the Europa League, but will have an opportunity to make amends next week - in the derby against Champions elect Juventus.
Forza Toro
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