Torino overturned a late deficit to defeat Genoa 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A action on Sunday.
Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci left it late for the Granata after an 84th minute goal from Alberto Gilardino was seemingly enough to claim all three points for the Grifoni. However a late rally and two wonderful strikes from the Torino duo in injury time saved the Granata from the jaws of defeat and sealed three points for the home side.
It was Torino who started the livelier with the duo of Immobile and Cerci doing there best to get behind the Genoa back line.
The best chance for the Granata came in the 20th minute when a lovely lofted ball from Immobile found Cerci in behind the Genoa defence as the Italian tried to beat Mattia Perin but the goalkeeper got down well to deny the striker.
With Torino looking the more likely to break the deadlock early on, it was Genoa who finished the half the stronger side as they tested Daniele Padelli twice in the dying minutes after not having a shot on goal until the 40th minute.
In the 53rd minute Torino were nearly their own worst enemy when a lofted ball into the penalty area caused confusion between Kamil Glik and his goalkeeper.
Padelli failed to get off his line in time and Glick headed the ball back and over the keeper and almost into his own net. The goalkeeper raced back just in time to get his hand on the ball and push it around the post.
Torino had a penalty shout in the 62nd minute when Mirko Vesovic went down in the area under pressure from Marco Motta however referee Maurizio Mariani waved play on.
In an effort to break the deadlock Gasperini went to his bench in the 73rd minute, making his third and final substitution to bring in Alberto Gilardino for Paolo De Ceglie.
A second penalty appeal for Torino once again fell on deaf ears in the 76th minute after Konate seemed to handle the ball in the area, but once again Mariani waved play on.
The match finally burst to life with only six minutes remaining. Gasperini’s final substitution proved successful as it was Gilardino who would finally break the deadlock in the 84th minute when a cross from Sturaro found the Genoa hitman inside the six yard box and the striker put the ball past Padelli with his thigh to make it 1-0.
The goal looked to be the winner but Torino came alive with only minutes remaining. In the second minute of time added on Immobile shook off Nicolas Burdisso and aimed a strike on the Genoa goal which finally beat Perin to make it 1-1.
The Granata pressed on and one minute later Cerci found space at the top of the box and his sensational strike from distance cannoned off the upright and into the goal sealing all three points for the Granata with virtually no time remaining.
