Torino 2 : 2 Hellas Verona - Verona battle to point

Posted Thursday, September 26, 2013 by PA

Promoted Hellas Verona twice battled from a goal down to earn a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw against Torino at Turin's Stadio Olimpico.

Alessio Cerci's 36th-minute penalty had put the hosts and, although Juanito equalised a minute before half-time, Cerci's second handed Torino the lead for the second time in the 52nd minute.

However, the visitors were awarded a spot-kick midway through the second half and Jorginho kept his cool to earn Verona a point.

The top-flight newcomers were the first to fashion a shooting opportunity, Bosko Jankovic warming the gloves of Torino goalkeeper Daniele Padelli in the third minute.

Verona goalkeeper Rafael was tested three minutes later, and did well to get his body in the way of Nicola Bellomo's fierce effort from outside the box.

Luca Toni, named in the starting line-up despite having struggled in the build-up with an ankle injury, then lashed wide for the visitors and Verona defender Vangelis Moras went close to putting through his own net when he inadvertently deflected Riccardo Meggiorini's shot but Rafael saved the day.

The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when Alejandro Gonzalez was penalised for handball inside the area and Cerci despatched the penalty into the bottom-left corner.

The lead did not last long, though, as Juanito connected with Toni's assist to stab home an equaliser before the break.

Torino should have restored their lead two minutes into the second half when Meggiorini hit the post from Cerci's right-wing cross, but five minutes later they did edge ahead for a second time.

Meggiorini tried his luck from long range and, although Rafael averted the danger, the rebound fell kindly for Cerci to tap in for 2-1.

Meggiorini went within a whisker of extending his side's lead shortly afterwards when his attempt from distance was deflected by Rafael onto the woodwork.

And the hosts were left to rue that missed opportunity in the 67th minute when Toni was fouled by Emiliano Moretti and Jorginho sent his right-footed spot-kick into the bottom-left corner.

Torino substitute Ciro Immobile mustered a chance five minutes from time to give his team their third lead of the match, but his superb drive was equally well saved by Rafael.