Torino took the provisional sole lead in the Italian league this Friday, following their 3-2 victory in Verona, while Empoli won 2-0 against Cagliari in Sardinia, in matches of the fifth round.
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With this result, Torino climbed to the top of the Serie A table with 11 points, securing a provisional lead over Udinese, who sit in second place with 10 points.
Napoli and Empoli follow closely in third and fourth positions, each with nine points. Torino’s victory in Verona was hard-fought, and the match saw plenty of drama and key moments that could shape their season.
The game started with Torino’s Paraguayan striker Antonio Sanabria opening the scoring in the 10th minute at the Marc’ Antonio Bentegodi Stadium. Sanabria’s goal, a well-placed shot from inside the box, gave Torino an early lead, showcasing their attacking intent. However, the advantage was short-lived, as just two minutes later, Cypriot Grigoris Kastanos brought Verona level with a swift equalizer. Kastanos found space in the Torino defense and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, reigniting the contest.
The match took a significant turn when the hosts were reduced to ten men. Polish defender Pawel Dawidowicz, a former Benfica player, was shown a red card for violent conduct after an altercation in the penalty area. Dawidowicz’s actions led to a penalty for Torino, but Sanabria, who had started the game brightly, failed to convert from the spot. His miss kept the score at 1-1, giving Verona a temporary reprieve despite being a man down.
Torino, however, made the numerical advantage count before halftime. Colombian striker Duván Zapata, recently signed from Atalanta, restored Torino’s lead in the 34th minute. Zapata’s powerful finish came from a well-executed team move, and his goal marked his first for the Turin club, providing them with a crucial edge going into the break.
In the second half, Torino sought to extend their lead and secure all three points. Scottish forward Che Adams, who came on as a substitute, made an immediate impact. Adams scored Torino’s third goal, capitalizing on a defensive error from Verona to give his side a comfortable cushion. With the scoreline at 3-1, it seemed Torino were well on their way to victory.
However, Verona did not go down without a fight. Colombian forward Daniel Mosquera reduced the deficit in the closing stages of the game, scoring Verona’s second goal to make it 3-2. Despite this late scare, Torino held on for the win, securing an important away victory that temporarily places them at the top of Serie A.
Earlier in the day, Empoli kicked off the fifth round of the Serie A with a solid 2-0 victory over Cagliari in Sardinia. The match saw Lorenzo Colombo score in the 33rd minute, followed by a second-half goal from Sebastiano Esposito in the 49th minute. Empoli’s win lifted them to fourth in the table, adding further pressure on the teams at the top, including Torino.
The next few rounds will be critical as teams like Udinese and Napoli aim to challenge Torino for the top spot. Meanwhile, Verona will need to regroup quickly after this defeat, as they face a tough battle to climb out of the lower half of the table.
Torino’s victory, though provisional, could set the tone for a strong campaign if they can maintain their momentum. With a mix of experienced players like Zapata and new arrivals such as Adams, they have the potential to surprise many in the race for European spots. As the Serie A season progresses, the competition at the top of the table is bound to intensify.
Updated: 11:31, 21 Sep 2024
