Torino restored a measure of momentum in the sixth round of Serie A, beating Udinese 2-1 at home to give Ignazio Abate’s side their first win in three matches and a second consecutive positive result. For Kosta Runjaic and Udinese, meanwhile, the afternoon extended a difficult run to four straight league defeats.
A corner routine opens the match
Udinese began with greater purpose. Giorgi Chakvetadze tested Torino early with a first-time effort that was deflected, while a Zarraga corner later found Solet, whose header across goal reached Abankwah before Comuzzo intervened.
Torino gradually took more control of possession and eventually made their pressure count in the 36th minute. A rehearsed corner move saw Bragança play short to Mandragora, who delivered into the penalty area. Simeone headed the ball on, Adams struck the post, and Bragança reacted quickest to turn the loose ball over the line.
The visitors did not allow the setback to settle. Seven minutes later, Ebosse supplied Ekkelenkamp, whose first attempt was blocked by Comuzzo. The midfielder collected the rebound and sent a diagonal finish beyond Perri. A VAR check followed, confirming that Ebosse had not been offside when Solet released him.
- 36th minute: Bragança put Torino ahead after Adams had hit the post.
- 43rd minute: Ekkelenkamp levelled for Udinese following Ebosse’s assist.
- Half-time: Torino and Udinese went into the interval at 1-1.
Kulenovic changes the game from the bench
Torino opened the second half with another warning for Udinese, as Cacciamani’s cross caused uncertainty for Okoye. Around the hour mark, Vlasic picked out Comuzzo with a floated delivery, but the defender’s header missed the target.
Abate introduced Kulenovic for Adams in the 64th minute, and the Croatian striker needed only three minutes to make the difference. Okoye made an error coming off his line and collided with Bertola, leaving Kulenovic clear to guide a right-footed finish home after Vlasic’s pass.
It was Kulenovic’s second goal in successive matches, following his strike at Bologna’s Dall’Ara Stadium. He nearly added another with a curling right-footed attempt soon afterwards.
Torino also handed Alaba his debut in the 72nd minute, with Vojvoda making way. Ilkhan then sought a third goal, but Okoye produced the save.
Udinese fall just short of a late reply
Udinese continued to search for a route back into the contest. Ebosse sent in a dangerous low cross that Bertola could not reach, while Davis headed wide. Their closest moment arrived in the 91st minute, when Ekkelenkamp turned onto his left foot and sent his effort narrowly beyond the post.
Torino held on for a result that gives their campaign a timely lift, while Udinese leave Turin with another defeat and a run that now demands a response.
- Torino’s next Serie A fixture is away to Parma at the Tardini on Monday 19 October, kicking off at 20:45. Parma come into the match after a 3-0 defeat to Inter at San Siro.
- Udinese host Lecce at the Bluenergy Stadium on Sunday 18 October in the seventh-round lunch fixture. Lecce were beaten 2-1 at home by Bologna in their latest outing.
