At the Olimpico Grande Torino, an important match of the 16th round in the Serie A 2023/2024 saw Torino face off against Empoli.
The match began with a strong start from Torino. Positioned to strike, Paraguayan striker Sanabria attempted a goal in the 6th minute, making use of a neat cross from Zapata. However, Empoli’s goalkeeper, Berisha, successfully blocked the bid. Shortly after, a spectacular overhead kick goal from Sanabria was disallowed for being offside.
Torino continued to dominate in the 18th minute while Empoli sought counter-attacks. The deadlock was broken in the 26th minute as Zapata headed a cross from Bellanova into the net to make the score 1-0 in favour of Torino.
The excitement rose in the 32nd minute when Ebuehi equalised for Empoli, scoring from the penalty box. However, this goal was swiftly annulled following a VAR check for another offside incident.
Despite leading the match, Torino continued in search of another goal, with three minutes of added time signalled in the first half.
The second half of the game resumed with much the same energy. An opportunity for Empoli arose in the 62nd minute, with Destro setting up Cancellieri. However, Milinkovic-Savic was quick off the line to block the attempt. Empoli’s frustration grew in the 75th minute after protests for a handball by Luperto in his penalty area were ignored by the referee. A good opportunity for Vlasic from Torino was denied in the 83rd minute when he was flagged offside.
The match was extended by six minutes in injury time.
Zapata was crowned as the Man of the Match following his pivotal role in Torino’s win.
The final scoreline read Torino 1, Empoli 0 with the solitary goal from Zapata in the 26th minute being the deciding factor.
The lineups for both teams were as follows:
Torino (3-5-2): Milinkovic Savic; Tameze, Buongiorno, Rodriguez; Bellanova, Ilic, Linetty, Vojvoda; Vlasic; Sanabria, Zapata. Coach: Juric.
Empoli (4-3-2-1): Berisha; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Cacace; Marin, Grassi, Maleh; Fazzini, Cambiaghi; Shpendi. Coach: Andreazzoli.