Simone Inzaghi’s men returned their attention to Serie A with their trip to Turin. The Toro had got the first points of the season against Sassuolo but were unable to stop Lazio from taking the three points on offer.
Marco Giampaolo and his charges were under pressure to perform, dropping eight points from winning positions. With only a single point to show for from their five Italian top-flight outings, time seemed to be running out.
With the Biancocelesti taking the lead in only the fifteenth minute, it seemed another toiling day would be on offer. It would not be so, with Torino marshaling back into the tie with goals from Bremer and Andrea Belotti. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic would equalize, but Sasa Lukic would peg them back again in the 87th minute. The Romans would not be denied in Turin, with Ciro Immobile and Felipe Caicedo scoring in added time to claim victory.
?| STARTING XI
— Torino FC English (@TorinoFC1906_En) November 1, 2020
Here's our starters for the upcoming #TorinoLazio#SFT pic.twitter.com/MJp3mNLuW9
In the initial exchanges, Lazio hogged the ball but were unable to make anything of it, while Torino were expressive in the attack. The hosts would get chances through Soualiho Meite and Simone Verdi, but their efforts were not on target.
Their inability allowed Torino to carve out an excellent chance that exemplified their creativity. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic sent in a lofted ball forward, which was capitalized on by Vedat Muriqi on the left side of the box. The Kosovar switched the ball and sent a cross on the right post to Patric. The Spaniard gave the ball to unmarked Andreas Pereira, who finished the enterprising move with a fierce shot into the back of the net.
Torino got the chance to equalize immediately through Karol Linetty. The Polish midfielder skipped advances from Lazio defenders before unleashing an attempt. He had a great opportunity to score, but Pepe Reina stood in his way. The Bulls would not be denied moments later from the corner kick. Simone Verdi swung in the corner and found Bremer, who headed the ball home.
The Romans should have restored their lead in the next minute but failed to do so. Francesco Acerbi put in a cross from the left flank and found Patric. The advancing forward was unmarked but his first-time volley went high over the bar.
Lazio were reeling from the missed opportunity when disaster struck. A struggling Andrea Belotti was brought down in the box by Andreas Pereira, with the referee Daniele Chiffi pointing towards the spot without hesitation. The Italy international would hit the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season as Torino led 2-1.
? Mister #Inzaghi ha scelto l'undici per affrontare il @TorinoFC_1906! #CMonEagles ? pic.twitter.com/njZGAnfE4J
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) November 1, 2020
Both sides continued their attacking forays without success. Only a goal separated the duo and both sides went into the break with plenty to contend with. Torino had to find a way to keep their lead, while Lazio had to find a way to equalize.
It was Simone Inzaghi’s men who answered the rallying call. Tomas Rincon tripped Joaquin Correa just on the right edge of the Torino area. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic stepped up for Lazio and his free-kick went directly inside the left post for the equalizer. The clock read 49 minutes and it was game on again.
Torino wasted a golden opportunity through Simone Verdi. The four-time capped Italy international received a great pass from Andrea Belotti but somehow managed to put it wide of the right post. Lazio would squander an equally great chance. Luiz Felipe sent in a cross that was not cleared by Mergim Vojvoda. The ball fell to Jean Akpa Akpro but the Ivory Coast international’s effort was blocked.
Torino would find a way to breach Lazio’s defenses thanks to the Romans’ lapse in concentration. Sasa Lukic capitalized on Wesley Hoedt’s error and rounded out Pepe Reina to make it 3-2. With only three minutes of regulation time remaining, the Bulls were on course for their first league win of the season.
However, in a harsh twist of fate, the visitors clawed their way back into the fixture. Lazio were fortunate to get a chance from the spot after Daniele Chiffi consulted VAR. Three minutes of added time were wasted in arriving at the decision but the result would be swift. Ciro Immobile put it away from the spot to equalize.
The drama at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino did not finish with the equalizer. There was more to come, and Torino were on the receiving end. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic swung in from a free-kick, which was headed in Felipe Caicedo’s path by Wesley Hoedt. The Ecuadorian could not capitalize on the first attempt but latched on to the loose ball and his first-time effort gave Salvatore Sirigu no chance.
Lazio took the lead after being a goal down in regulation time. Simone Inzaghi ran to his players while Pepe Reina made the 90-yard dash to celebrate with his teammates.
There would not be any more drama in the fixture. The match would be remembered as Torino succumbing to defeat rather than Lazio claiming an impressive away win. But it will be remembered as an entertaining fixture with the pendulum swinging in both team’s favor. The goals, especially in the final minutes made it all worthwhile.
Lazio will be pleased with the win and the points stolen right underneath Torino’s noses. The rejuvenated Romans moved into the top half of the table with the victory.
Meanwhile, Toro have themselves to blame and will be looking towards the gods for help. The penalty conceded was harsh by all standards but they should have been able to take care of Caicedo’s effort. Pressure on Marco Giampaolo increases as his side have only a single point to show for from their five Serie A outings. They have now dropped an alarming 11 points from winning positions this season.
MATCH REPORT
November 1, 2020 – Serie A 2020-2021 Round 6
TORINO-LAZIO 3-4
SCORERS: 15′ Pereira (L), 19′ Bremer (T), 25′ Belotti (T, pen.), 48′ S. Milinkovic-Savic (L), 87′ Lukic (T), 95′ Immobile (L, pen.), 98′ Caicedo (L)
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TORINO (3-4-1-2): Sirigu; Vojvoda (70′ Singo), Lyanco, Bremer, Rodriguez; Meite, Rincon, Lynetty; Lukic; Verdi (71′ Nkoulou), Belotti (76′ Bonazzoli) (Rosati, V. Milinkovic Savic, Segre, Gojak, Ansaldi, Edera, Murru, Vianni, Buongiorno) Coach: Giampaolo |
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LAZIO (3-5-2): Reina; Luiz Felipe, Hoedt, Acerbi; Patric, S. Milinkovic Savic, Parolo (46′ Lucas Leiva), Pereira (46′ Akpa Akpro), Fares (81′ Cataldi); Correa (73′ Caicedo), Muriqi (56′ Immobile) (Strakosha, Alia, Armini, Novella, Czyz, R. Moro) Coach: S. Inzaghi |
REFEREE: Mr. Chiffi from Padova
NOTES: Yellow Cards: ; Extra Time: 1st Half, 2nd Half
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