Seventh useful result in a row at home and ninth place. Ten guests for Pongracic’s expulsion. In the final, great opportunity for Sanabria, Falcone surpasses himself
– Turin
Victory had to be and victory it was. Mission accomplished for Toro (2-0), thanks to a second half of great career and impetus. First Bellanova then Zapata knocked out D’Aversa’s Lecce who were left with ten men halfway through the second half due to the double yellow card for Pongracic. These are three very important points that forcefully relaunch Toro in the race towards Europe. And which confirm how crucial the home factor is for the Granata: it is the seventh consecutive useful result for Juric’s team in front of their own fans (five wins and two draws).
shiver little ones
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Toro shows its muscles, showing up early on Friday night with the centre-forward pair Pellegri-Zapata. Lecce is banking on the unpredictable shots of Oudin and Almqvist, the wingers of an attacking trident that sees Piccoli as the classic center forward. The result was a balanced first half, without any particular flashes and with two teams blocked. Toro is unable to bring out the potential quality of its three men placed in the heart of the midfield (Ricci, Ilic and Vlasic in the attacking midfield) and is discounted in the maneuver for a large part of the first half. Lecce doesn’t do much more, but they hold the field well despite struggling to make themselves truly dangerous. It is the episodes, thus, that give a couple of shocks to the public of Grande Torino. Two occasions, one for each side. The first is from Lecce and arises from a serious indecision by Milinkovic. 13th minute: Oudin’s corner, the ball slips from the hands of the Granata goalkeeper, Piccoli responds and Masina saves on the line. Thrill for the Turin fans. The balance of opportunities was balanced in the 43rd minute when a well-angled shot by Vlasic was touched with the fingertips of Falcone and deflected for a corner. Zero-nil at half-time.
bellanova-zapata
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The Granata’s start to recovery is much more energetic and determined. And after just five minutes Toro finds the flash from Bellanova with which he seals the match. The action arises from a perfect advance from Djidji, followed by an intelligent throw from Ricci which triggers the counterattack: Bellanova’s right-footed jab is sharp and angled, Falcone has no escape. It is Juric’s first goal for the winger with Toro, the second in Serie A. At the hour mark Juric throws Sanabria and Linetty into the mix in place of Vlasic and Pellegri. D’Aversa responds with Sansone and Kaba. In the 25th minute Ayroldi sends off Pongracic for a foul on Ricci: second yellow card for the defender who leaves Lecce with ten men. And a moment later, Sanabria headed home Ilic’s cross very well and only an amazing Falcone denied him the joy of 2-0. Lecce is stunned, Toro puts impetus and courage into it and plays decidedly better. The second goal is in the air and arrives in the 36th minute: Vojvoda’s corner, Zapata’s header and the game is over.
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