Torino staged a sensational second-half comeback to beat Roma 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino on Sunday and take a decisive step towards salvation. The Granata have now extended the gap on 18th-placed Cagliari to five points and still have a game in hand on the Sardinians.
Although in-form Borja Mayoral gave the Giallorossi an early lead, a lapse of concentration after the restart saw the visitors fall apart in the second half. Antonio Sanabria initiated the comeback in the 57th minute before Simone Zaza tapped in a rebound to put Torino in front.
Andrea Belotti stole the ball away higher up the pitch and unselfishly set up Tomas Rincon, who sealed the home side’s triumph in the 92nd minute.
The victory was imperative for Davide Nicola’s men as they fight tooth and nail to preserve their Serie A status. Meanwhile, a defeated dropped Roma to seventh as they now face a risk of missing out on European football next season.
During the post-match interview, Paulo Fonseca took the blame for his team’s lackluster second-half display.
“I must take my responsibilities. It is hard. We have made a lot of mistakes in the league,” the Roma boss said, as quoted by TUTTOmercatoWEB.
The capital-based giants now sit eight points adrift of fourth-placed Juventus, who lost 1-0 at Atalanta earlier today.
Asked to comment on his side’s chances of securing a top-four finish, Fonseca replied: “I must be honest, it is difficult. There’s math, but it’s hard.”
Meanwhile, Torino manager Davide Nicola heaped praise on his players for their second-half heroics.
“I’m satisfied. I have empathy for the players who realized they had a great game. I’m glad. The boys are doing their best and people recognize it.
“I believe in this motivated group,” Nicola finished.