Tuesday 19 December 2017

Torino 1-3 Napoli

Torino were defeated for the first time since October as they were left to rue a nightmare first half hour against Napoli on Saturday evening.

Alex Berenguer was once again preferred to Adem Ljajic, as Toro remained unchanged from the team who started the victory against Lazio on Monday.

Toro were behind after only four minutes as Kalidou Koulibaly headed home from a corner following Allan's flick on. Dries Mertens could have doubled their lead moments later, but the Belgian international dragged his shot wide of the post.

Napoli did double their lead after twenty-five minutes when Piotr Zielinski was awarded the freedom of Turin by a generous Torino back line to go clear of the defence and score. Five minutes later, Marek Hamsik made it 3-0 as he fired a Mertens assist into the top corner of Salvatore Sirigu's goal.

Toro should have got a goal back before half time but Daniele Baselli was unable to make a significant contact on Iago Falque's excellent assist.

Torino looked a lot more secure at the back in the second half, and with half an hour remaining, Andrea Belotti scored his first Serie A goal since September as he fired home from the edge of the area.

Iago Falque wasted a good opportunity to reduce the deficit once more with a poor shot on his weaker right foot when well placed. However, Toro's hopes of an unlikely comeback were ended when they were reduced to ten men as substitute Adem Ljajic went off injured and the Granata had already made all three changes, and Napoli claimed a deserved victory.

Forza Toro

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