Sassuolo secured a dramatic 1-0 away victory in a typical smash-and-grab performance against an underwhelming Torino outfit on Sunday afternoon.
The match between the two sides looked destined for a draw, however inspired substitute Antonio Floro Flores’s 87th minute header ultimately proved the difference for the Neroverdi.
Did we get our ratings right? Give us your say in the comments below.
Torino
Jean-Francois Gillet – 6 – Commanding
Looked confident coming out for corners and general crossing situations.
Nikola Maksimovic – 5.5 – Adequate
Did enough when called upon and managed to keep the Sassuolo attack at bay and saved a goal scoring opportunity from Berardi.
Kamil Glik – 6 – Solid
Made a number of clever challenges and played out from the back with competence.
Emiliano Moretti – 5.5 – Predictable
Was reliable when defending, but unnecessarily gave possession away by playing long balls.
Bruno Peres – 6 – Workhorse
Worked tirelessly for the team acquitted himself well down the right flank.
Alessandro Gazzi – 5.5 – Enough
Misplaced a few passes and was largely quiet during the encounter, though was better in the second-half.
Giuseppe Vives – 5.5 – Restricted
Failed to produce that incisive for one of his fellow attackers and often played the ball sideways.
Matteo Darmian – 5.5 – Reasonable
Isolated his opponent one-on-one but was unable to capitalise on the situation.
Juan Sanchez Mino – 5 – Poor
Saw his penalty saved in the 30th minute and never really recovered to get back into the rhythm of the match.
Omar El Kaddouri – 6.5 – Energetic
Had a great shot saved by the keeper after 15 minutes and looked lively throughout proceedings. Also showed desperation and tracked back to help his teammates out. Arguably the best player on the field.
Fabio Quagliarella – 5.5 – Frustrated
Often closed down and was unable to get a couple of his shots away as they were blocked by the Sassuolo defence. And was caught offside on more than one instance.
Substitutes
Alexander Farnerud – 5 – Inconspicuous
Replaced the disappointing Juan Sanchez Mino at the interval and struggled to influence the match. Had a chance to get on the scoresheet, but failed to pull the trigger from close range.
Antonio Nocerino – 5 – Same
Came on for Giuseppe Vives and did little to change the encounter.
Josef Martinez – N/A
Came on in stoppage time for Bruno Peres.
Sassuolo
Andrea Consigli – 7 – Hero
Saved a penalty in the first-half and also parried shots from distance as well as a crucial save to deny Torino’s Quagliarella.
Sime Vrsaljko – 6 – Dynamic
Ventured forward on numerous occasions and provided a dangerous cross in the first-half.
Francesco Acerbi – 6 – Competent
Provided cover for his colleague Cannavaro, stepping across to cut out any danger that was imminent.
Paolo Cannavaro – 6 – Resolute
Did not die wondering, wore his heart on his sleeve and executed last ditch tackles to nullify his opponent. However, conceded the penalty after fouling Quagliarella.
Federico Peluso – 5.5 – Ample
Kept things simple and looked to pass his way out from defence, especially down the line.
Matteo Brighi – 5.5 – Average
Played some balls into the box, looking for that decisive through ball to unlock the opponents.
Francesco Magnanelli – 6 – Intrepid
Patrolled the midfield to great effect and led by example as the captain should.
Simone Missiroli – 5.5 – Standard
Pushed forward and added himself to the attack but could not get a stranglehold of the match.
Domenico Berardi – 5.5 – Grew
Made a nuisance of himself by drawing fouls and had a free kick which was blasted over the bar, grew after the interval.
Simone Zaza – 5 – Non-existent
Barely touched the ball in the opening half and received a booking for his troubles. Had a feeble shot from distance in the 50th minute too and missed virtually an open goal after Berardi’s finish was saved off the line.
Nicola Sansone – 6 – Pacy
Promising when in possession and looked to create havoc around the 18-yard-box and exchanged passes with his teammates in tight situations.
Substitutes
Sergio Floccari – N/A
Replaced Simone Zaza on 74 minutes.
Antonio Floro Flores – 6.5 – Difference
Superseded Nicola Sansone a minute later, and scored the winner courtesy of an excellent timed header into the top corner.
Saphir Taider – N/A
Was brought on for Matteo Brighi in the 84th minute and completed a few passes.
