Torino Edge Monza 3-2 in Serie A Thriller

Torino vs Monza: A Serie A Rollercoaster

Torino prevailed 3-2 over Monza in a breathless Serie A encounter at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, a match that swung violently in the second half before the hosts clung on. The Granata led, were pegged back, led again through Rafik Belghali, then sealed it through Nikola Vlašić – only for Nathan Patterson’s last-gasp own goal to set up a frantic finale.

Torino’s First-Half Control

The opener came in the 39th minute when Kian Fitz-Jim, the Dutch youngster on loan from Ajax, lashed home Giovanni Simeone’s cutback. Torino had dominated possession (51%) but struggled to break through until that moment, with Monza’s back three holding firm until Simeone’s moment of vision.

Ardian Ismajli’s 34th-minute yellow card for a cynical trip had briefly rattled Torino, but coach Ignazio Abate’s 3-4-2-1 system kept Monza at arm’s length. The visitors mustered just one first-half shot – a hopeful 25-yarder from Gustavo Varela that sailed wide.

Monza’s Lightning Response

Whatever Iván Jurić said at halftime worked instantly. Within two minutes of the restart, Varela redeemed his earlier miss by pouncing on a defensive lapse to slot past Lucas Perri. Suddenly, Monza’s 49% possession felt heavier, their midfield trio of Ondoa, Akinsanmiro and Mangas snapping into challenges.

Abate reacted swiftly, introducing Gvidas Gineitis for Rolando Mandragora in the 51st minute. The Lithuanian’s energy changed the game. Ten minutes later, his driving run and pass found Belghali, who curled a beauty into the top corner from 18 yards – Torino’s 8th shot inside the box finally bearing fruit.

Vlašić Seals It… Almost

The Croatian midfielder Vlašić seemed to have killed the game in the 72nd minute, intercepting a careless pass and drilling low past Törnvqvist. At 3-1, with Monza managing just 0.6 xG, Torino fans began chanting for European dreams.

But football loves chaos. Four minutes into stoppage time, Nathan Patterson’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Cyril Ngonge and past a stranded Perri. Suddenly, Monza poured forward – their 4th corner of the game flicked just wide by Carboni. The final whistle brought relief as much as joy for Torino.

What This Means for Both Sides

For Torino, this gritty win pushes them towards the European spots, built on second-half resilience (17 total shots to Monza’s 7) and clinical finishing. For Monza, positives in Varela’s performance but defensive lapses cost them – conceding three goals from just 1.26 xG against.

Next up? Torino face a stern test at Napoli, while Monza host Udinese in what now feels like a six-pointer near the bottom. After this thriller, both sides know – in Serie A, nothing comes easy.

Key Moments

39′ ⚽ Torino — Kian Fitz-Jim (assist: Giovanni Simeone)

47′ ⚽ Monza — Gustavo Varela

61′ ⚽ Torino — Rafik Belghali (assist: Gvidas Gineitis)

72′ ⚽ Torino — Nikola Vlašić

90+4′ ⚽ Monza — Nathan Patterson