Torino defeated Hellas Verona 3-1 at the Stadio Bentegodi in Serie A action on Monday night.
Granata midfielder Omar El Kaddouri assisted the first two goals for Ciro Immobile then Alessio Cerci before scoring one of his own, completing the second half comeback. Luca Toni struck the only goal for the home side.
The visitors were the first to muster a shot through Jasmin Kurtic, who missed to the left with his effort from the right side of the box. A couple of minutes later, Giuseppe Vives played in the red-hot Immobile with a through ball, but the forward was offside.
Torino then threatened on the counter, with Cerci bombing down the right flank. He picked out El Kaddouri, who couldn’t capitalize on the brilliant play and fired wide.
Finally, after playing on the backfoot for most of the first half, Verona earned a chance. Vangelis Moras blasted an attempt that was close, but just whistled past the far post.
Then the hosts caught a break off a corner. Juan Taleb was hauled down by Cesare Bovo as the players made their runs prior to the kick, yet on replays, it appeared as if Taleb slipped before Bovo got his hands on him. Nonetheless, Toni stepped up from the spot and converted to open the scoring.
Torino finally responded after falling behind once the second half resumed. Immobile got onto a through ball from El Kaddouri, stayed onside and slotted the ball past Rafael to level the match.
Then Cerci scored to give Toro their first lead of the game as he finished off another El Kaddouri assist into the bottom left corner.
Following two assists, the Belgian-Moroccan got on the score sheet with a screamer from distance, adding Torino’s third in a 12 minute span.
Toni nearly got one back for Hellas as he got on the end of an Emil Hallfredsson cross with his head, but it was easily saved by Daniele Padelli. A few minutes later, he popped up again, firing a rebounded effort just wide of the right post.
Despite a late surge from Verona, they failed to claw one back, leading to a 3-1 Torino victory.
