In a game of incredible intensity, Torino managed to defeat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 at the San Mames and progress to the next round of the UEFA Europa League.
The Italians opened the scoring on 15 minutes through a Fabio Quagliarella penalty. The hosts’ then leveled thanks to Androni Iraola on 44 minutes, and then almost immediately after, Maxi Lopez scored to put his side back into the lead. The Basque club then levelled the score on 61 minutes through Oscar De Marcos struck the ball neatly into the back of the net; but only before Matteo Darmian scored on 68 minutes.
Athletic Club had begun the match in bright fashion and were intent on using their home advantage and intense atmosphere to eliminate the Toro from the Europa League.
However, Torino were completely unfazed by Bilbao’s bright start and incredibly took the lead with only their first shot on target. The Granata were awarded a penalty after Carlos Gurpegi lunged in clumsily on Giussepe Vives and gave away the foul. Top scorer for the Toro Quagliarella subsequently stepped up and slotted the ball past Iago Herrerin.
Following the goal, the away side looked to rely even more heavily on the counter attack and began to sit further and further back. Although they were soon made to pay for this risky tactic when the Leones equalised in the 44th minute with a well worked goal.
The Torino defence were lined up well inside their own penalty area and were left rooted firmly to the spot when Androni Iraola latched onto a chipped ball over the top and neatly finished past Padelli.
However, the delight of the Basques was all but fleeting when Maxi Lopez silenced the crowd with a superb header just before the halftime whistle. Matteo Darmian strode down the right hand side and then produced a beautiful lofted cross which was met by Lopez at the front post who then fired hisheader into the back of the net
After this late first-half setback, Athletic Club re-emerged from the dressing room with a certain spark and soon levelled the match with a well taken goal from Oscar de Marcos. Iker Muniain was the architect as he picked out De marcos with a splitting pass to the 25-year-old who then did well to place the ball into the back of the net.
With the home side flying and the crowd lifted, Torino once again refused to play by the rules and amazingly went 3-2 up on 68 minutes with a superb first-time finish from Darmian. This time, it was his turn to latch onto a enticing cross as he he met a drifting ball with a well-taken volley, sending the ball into to the back of the net.
The Italian side then did well to defend the remainder of the match and ultimately ran out 3-2 winners.
