Bologna staged a dramatic second-half comeback to snatch a vital 2-1 victory against Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, with Santiago Castro netting the decisive goal.
Bologna secured a crucial 2-1 away win against Torino on Sunday afternoon. Santiago Castro’s late strike sealed all three points for the Rossoblù after a thrilling second half.
Both sides entered the Serie A fixture desperate for consistency, hovering in the mid-table. Torino, sitting 13th, sought to reverse a patchy run of form. Bologna, 11th, aimed to build on a recent win following a challenging period.
The first half saw Bologna assert control, demonstrating their attacking intent early on. They registered more shots and generated a higher expected goals (xG) figure. However, Torino's defense, marshaled by goalkeeper Alberto Paleari, held firm. Paleari was particularly busy, making five key saves to keep the score level. Torino's G. Maripan received a yellow card in the 20th minute for a challenge. The half was tight and tactical, ending goalless.
At the break, both coaches would have demanded more attacking thrust. Bologna needed to convert their chances into goals. Torino aimed for greater possession and sharper counter-attacks.
The game burst into life immediately after the restart. Just four minutes into the second half, Bologna broke the deadlock. Midfielder Nikola Moro found the net in the 49th minute, giving the visitors a deserved lead.
Torino responded swiftly. In the 62nd minute, Nikola Vlasic brought the home side level with a well-taken goal. The equalizer energized the Granata faithful.
However, Bologna were not to be denied. Santiago Castro restored Bologna's lead in the 70th minute. His clinical finish, assisted by Federico Bernardeschi, proved to be the winner.
Torino pushed hard for another equalizer in the final stages. They made several attacking substitutions. Bologna's defense, however, remained resolute under pressure. Yellow cards were shown to Bologna's S. Sohm in the 81st minute and Torino's Nikola Vlasic in the 87th minute as tensions rose.
The statistics underscored Bologna's dominance. They finished with 13 total shots, 6 on target, compared to Torino’s 7 total shots and 2 on target. Bologna's expected goals (xG) of 1.31 significantly surpassed Torino’s 0.49. Despite the scoreline, Bologna's 53% possession and superior attacking output reflected their overall performance. Torino’s Paleari was their standout player with 5 saves.
This vital win lifts Bologna further up the Serie A table, providing a much-needed boost in their pursuit of European football qualification. For Torino, the defeat extends their inconsistent run, leaving them with much to ponder.
