Torino carried their rising league momentum into the eighth round with a 3-2 home victory over Ivan Juric’s Monza, collecting a third consecutive Serie A win after previous successes against Udinese and Parma. Ignazio Abate’s side now have 13 points, while Monza remain on seven despite another goal from the prolific Varela.
The afternoon had the added edge of Juric returning to face Torino, but it was Abate’s team who made the decisive advances. Fitz-Jim gave the Granata a first-half lead, Varela quickly restored parity after the interval, and fine finishes from Belghali and Vlasic appeared to settle the contest before Patterson’s stoppage-time own goal created one final scare.
Torino take advantage before the break
The match began cautiously, with Torino gradually assuming more of the ball. Ismajli was the first to threaten on 12 minutes, heading narrowly wide from a corner.
Simeone then turned smartly in a crowded area and looked to release Adams, although the move was halted because the Torino forward had been offside. Monza were compact without possession and sought to bring Robinson and Varela into the game. Varela had an effort blocked after finding room on 31 minutes.
Torino’s breakthrough came six minutes before half-time. Ondoa made a mistake while playing out, Simeone reacted to provide the pass, and Fitz-Jim finished calmly past Tornqvist.
Monza appealed for a penalty at the end of first-half added time following a challenge involving Mangas and Belghali in the Torino box, but the hosts retained their 1-0 advantage at the interval.
Varela responds, then Torino find another level
Monza emerged with greater purpose after the restart. Birindelli bent a shot just beyond the post, before Varela levelled almost immediately. Comuzzo’s error offered the Portuguese striker his opportunity and he lifted a composed finish over Lucas Perri.
It was Varela’s seventh league goal in eight matches, underlining the importance of his form to a Monza side still searching for greater consistency in the standings.
Abate was forced into a change shortly afterwards when Mandragora went off with a muscular problem, replaced by Gineitis. Torino nevertheless recovered their composure. Belghali tested Tornqvist, Simeone attempted to force his way through the Monza defence, and Comuzzo saw an effort from the edge of the area saved.
The response eventually brought a second Torino goal. Belghali found space outside the box and curled a finish beyond Tornqvist to restore the home side’s lead.
Vlasic’s first league goal proves decisive
Juric changed his side by introducing Kouadio and Folorunsho for Lucchesi and Ondoa. Robinson tried his luck from range but Perri gathered, while Torino found more room as Monza pushed forward. Adams brought a difficult save from Tornqvist with a long-range attempt.
Monza came close to another equaliser in the 69th minute, when Perri produced an outstanding stop from Mangas’ close-range header. Torino broke quickly at the other end and Simeone narrowly missed the chance to make it three.
Abate then sent on Braganca, Patterson and Kulenovic in place of Simeone, Fitz-Jim and Cacciamani. The third goal followed, with Vlasic scoring his first league goal of the season in impressive fashion to give Torino a 3-1 cushion.
Juric made a final attacking move, bringing on Ngonge and Cutrone, and Monza continued to press. Folorunsho drove narrowly wide from distance before the visitors scored again in the last minute of added time. Ngonge delivered from the right and Patterson inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net.
There was no time for Monza to complete the comeback. Torino saw out the 3-2 result, extending a productive run that has moved Abate’s side to 13 points and given their season a firmer shape. For Juric and Monza, Varela’s latest contribution was not enough to lift the club beyond seven points.
