Torino fail to regain Serie A top spot after loss to Lazio

ROME: Torino´s poor week ended on a bad note as they failed to regain top spot in Serie A slipping to their first league defeat of the season beaten 3-2 at home by Lazio on Sunday.

Having gone top of Serie A for the first time since February, 1977, last weekend Lazio ended Torino´s brief stay at the head of affairs days after Empoli had knocked them out of the Italian Cup.

Juventus on 12 points top a tightly-congested table, after they thrashed Genoa 3-0 on Saturday, with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Torino a point behind. Napoli can go top later on Sunday if the 2023 champions beat Monza at home. Torino were always off the pace as Lazio took the lead in the eighth minute, former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi striking from just inside the penalty box.

Guendouzi´s goal was well set up by in form on-loan Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares, who has turned into quite a provider for his teammates, it being his fourth assist of the campaign. The visitors doubled their lead on the hour mark, Boulaye Dia sweeping the ball home.

Torino coach Paolo Vanoli´s decision to bring on Scottish international Che Adams to add some zest to the attack paid off as he reduced the deficit seven minutes later for his third goal in three matches.

Vanoli´s frustration got the better of him and he was dismissed from the touchline for dissent in the 74th minute. His mood darkened as Lazio substitute Tijjani Noslin knocked in their third, just half a minute after coming on, in the 89th minute.

Saul Coco scored a consolation goal in time added on with a fine volley. “I was really angry at our first half performance,” said Vanoli. “We played better after the break. “It is a shame as when we play like we did in the second half we can cause trouble for anyone.”

Juventus owe their place at the top to Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic, who rediscovered his form with a double in their victory over Genoa. He had struggled for form in the early weeks of the season, only netting in one of his previous six Juventus appearances.

“People talk, say that you´re the best when you score goals and a flop when you don´t. I do my talking on the pitch,” said Vlahovic to DAZN. “I know very well that there is a lot expected of me and I am not running away from that.”

Inter bounced back from their defeat in the Milan derby with a 3-2 win over Udinese with Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez scoring a brace. Before Saturday, last season´s Serie A top scorer had not scored since netting the winner for his country in the Copa America final in July.

“It definitely important for me because a striker is always on the hunt for goals,” said Martinez. “I always say that first I work for the team, and if I manage to score then so much the better.”