Napoli toppled Torino 1-0 to make it six wins from their last seven league visits to the Stadio Olimpico di Torino, to solidify a third-placed finish in Serie A. The decisive moment took place in the 73rd minute as Fabian Ruiz benefited from a high turnover to seal the deal for the Partenopei.
Unlike last weekend’s scintillating 6-1 romping of Sassuolo, today’s victory in Turin was far more dramatic. Napoli and Torino both lived up to their first-half billings, showing why they are the league’s best defences in the opening 45 minutes. A goalless first half witnessed very few scoring opportunities on both ends.
However, Napoli turned on their engines after the interval. After creating a few decent chances, the Partenopei squandered a glorious opportunity to open the scoring. Torino goalkeeper Etrit Berisha thwarted Lorenzo Insigne’s penalty midway through the second half. It was the winger’s fourth miss from the spot this season.
Insigne had another opening only a few moments later, but Armando Izzo denied the Napoli captain with a perfectly-timed tackle. There was no saving from Ruiz’s first goal from inside the box as the Spaniard struck the ball through Berisha’s legs to hand the Partenopei their second Serie A win on the trot.
Despite missing from the spot, Insigne looked keen to get on the scoresheet and consolidate his legacy in Naples before completing his switch to MLS franchise Toronto FC in the summer. The outgoing Napoli stalwart lasted all 90 minutes in Turin, and Luciano Spalletti spoke highly of his captain despite another sub-par showing.
“He took on the responsibility of the penalty that many others wouldn’t want. He just needs to relax, his decision is to be accepted and it’s not easy for us losing a player of his level. He can play anywhere with his head held high,” he said, as relayed by Gianluca Di Marzio.