Torino overturned an early second-half deficit at the Olimpico Grande Torino, beating Sassuolo 2-1 thanks to goals from Giovanni Simeone and Marcus Pedersen in an entertaining Serie A Matchday 36 clash.
Torino returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion on Friday night, defeating Sassuolo 2-1 after a lively and intense encounter filled with chances, woodwork, and momentum swings.
The visitors started brightly and nearly struck within the opening minutes when Andrea Pinamonti forced a save from Alberto Paleari. Torino responded quickly and came agonizingly close to taking the lead through Alieu Njie, whose header rattled the crossbar twice in the same sequence before bouncing away from danger.
Both teams continued to trade opportunities throughout the first half. Sassuolo threatened through Tarik Muharemovic, Pinamonti, and Armand Laurienté, while Samuele Ricci and Gvidas Gineitis helped Torino maintain attacking pressure in midfield.
Sassuolo eventually found the breakthrough six minutes into the second half. Luca Lipani delivered a smart pass into the area for Kristian Thorstvedt, who calmly finished to give the Neroverdi a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
Torino reacted immediately. Giovanni Simeone struck the crossbar shortly after Sassuolo’s opener, but the Argentine forward would not be denied for long. In the 66th minute, Simeone powered home a header from a precise cross by Enzo Ebosse to level the score at 1-1.
The equalizer completely shifted the momentum. Just five minutes later, Torino completed the comeback when substitute Duván Zapata delivered a perfect ball across goal for Marcus Pedersen, who tapped home from close range to make it 2-1.
Sassuolo pushed for a late equalizer and again looked dangerous through Laurienté, but Torino held firm and nearly added a third goal through Emirhan İlkhan in the closing stages.
The victory gives Torino an important three points as they continue climbing the Serie A table heading into the final stretch of the season. Sassuolo, meanwhile, saw their positive run come to an end despite another competitive performance under Fabio Grosso.
Match Report
Torino 2-1 Sassuolo
Scorers:
51’ Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), 66’ Simeone (Torino), 71’ Pedersen (Torino)
Torino (3-4-1-2)
Paleari; Marianucci, Coco, Ebosse; Lazaro (59’ Pedersen), Prati (68’ İlkhan), Gineitis, Obrador (86’ Nkounkou); Vlasic; Njie (59’ Zapata), Simeone (86’ Kulenovic)
Head Coach: Roberto D’Aversa
Sassuolo (4-3-3)
Muric; Walukiewicz, Lipani (63’ Koné), Muharemovic, Doig (75’ Garcia); Thorstvedt, Matic (84’ Bakola), Coulibaly; Volpato (63’ Berardi), Pinamonti (75’ Nzola), Laurienté
Head Coach: Fabio Grosso
Referee: Galipò
Yellow Cards: Lipani, Marianucci, Prati, Nkounkou
Red Cards: None
