Torino took an early lead against Como in the ninth round of Serie A on Tuesday night at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, with Che Adams scoring a left-footed volley in the 24th minute, according to Goal.com's live coverage of the match.
The game pits Torino coach Ignazio Abate against Como's Cesc Fabregas. Torino entered the fixture eighth in the table on 13 points, while Como sat fifth with 17 points. Collu was appointed referee, with Marini handling VAR duties.
Why it matters
The match is a meeting of two sides in contrasting form and league positions. Como, under Fabregas, have collected 17 points from their opening eight matches and occupy a European place, while Torino are mid-table on 13. A win for the visitors would keep them in the upper reaches of the table, whereas Torino are looking to close the gap on the teams above them. The fixture also brings together two young managers in Abate and Fabregas, adding a sideline storyline to the evening's play.
How the opening goal came
The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half. Fitz-Jim beat his marker with a step-over before picking out Adams with the outside of his boot, and the striker finished with a left-footed volley, Goal.com reported. The goal gave Torino a lead against a Como side that had started the evening higher in the standings.
Como responded quickly. Two minutes after the goal, Douvikas came close to levelling with a right-footed touch from close range, according to the live commentary. The chance underlined that Fabregas's side were not prepared to let the deficit stand for long.
Early chances and a penalty-area flashpoint
The first notable opening of the match fell to Torino. In the 10th minute, Belghali embarked on a weaving run and forced a save from Como goalkeeper Sanchez with a right-footed effort, Goal.com reported.
There was controversy at the other end in the 17th minute. Inside the Torino penalty area, Braganca made a challenge on Da Cunha that the commentary described as questionable. Da Cunha went to ground, and Como's players protested, but neither the referee nor VAR intervened and play continued.
The line-ups
Abate set Torino up in a 3-4-1-2 formation: Perri in goal; a back three of Coco, Ismajli and Comuzzo; Belghali, Fitz-Jim, Braganca and Cacciamani across midfield; Vlasic in the attacking midfield role; and Adams partnered by Simeone up front.
Fabregas opted for a 4-2-3-1 with Como: Sanchez in goal; Couto, Ramon, Kempf and Valle in defence; Perrone and Milla as the double pivot; Da Cunha, Paz and Caqueret supporting the lone striker Douvikas.
What to watch
With more than an hour of the match remaining at the time of the source's latest update, the question is whether Como can turn their possession and the Douvikas chance into an equaliser, or whether Torino can protect and build on Adams's early strike. Goal.com's live coverage continues with full commentary, goals and highlights.
