Torino secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Venezia at the Stadio Penzo in what proved to be a closely contested match. The game-winning goal came from an unlikely source, as defender Saul Coco netted his first Serie A goal in the closing minutes of the match.
The victory was particularly poignant for Torino’s coach Paolo Vanoli, who returned to face the club he had previously led to promotion via the playoffs. Torino’s strong start to the season continues, following their draw against Milan and victory over Atalanta.
Venezia, despite missing key players Gianluca Busio and Bjarki Bjarkason, welcomed back last season’s top scorer Joel Pohjanpalo. The home side also handed a debut to Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, who made an immediate impact by forcing two impressive saves from Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic early in the match.
Both teams had their chances throughout the game. Torino’s Che Adams tested Venezia keeper Jesse Joronen, while Ivan Ilic and Samuele Ricci also came close for the visitors. Venezia’s Antonio Candela squandered a golden opportunity, failing to capitalize on a Gaetano Oristanio cross.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 86th minute when Ilic’s corner was flicked on by Adam Masina, allowing Coco to loop a header into the far corner of the net. Venezia had a late chance to equalize through Christian Gytkjaer, but the striker scuffed his shot after breaking the offside trap.
This result continues Torino’s impressive start to the season and leaves Venezia still searching for their first points of the campaign.
Goal: Coco 86 (T)
Venezia (3-4-2-1): Joronen; Idzes, Svoboda, Sverko (31’ s.t. Altare); Candela (42’ s.t. Raimondo), Duncan, Nicolussi Caviglia (18’ s.t. Doumbia), Zampano; Oristanio (31’ s.t. El Haddad), Ellertson; Pohjanpalo (31’ s.t. Gytkjaer). All. Di Francesco
Torino (3-5-2): Milinkovic-Savic; Vojvoda (32’ s.t. Dembelé), Coco, Masina; Lazaro (46’ s.t. Walukiewicz), Ricci (17’ s.t. Sanabria), Linetty, Ilic, Sosa (17’ s.t. Pedersen); Zapata, Adams (32’ s.t. Tameze). All. Vanoli
