Torino achieved back-to-back Serie A wins by beating Monza 3-2 in an exciting match, with Kian Fitz-Jim, Rafik Belghali, and Nikola Vlašić all scoring. The outcome ruined Ivan Juric’s return to the Olimpico Grande Torino, as the home team came from behind after Gustavo Varela had equalized for the visitors early in the second half.
Ignazio Abate’s side entered the game on the back of a 3-0 away win against Parma and made one midfield change, while Monza arrived following a 4-0 victory over Cagliari. Both teams were without several injured players, and Monza also had Lorenzo Lucchesi available again after suspension.
Torino vs Monza: Fitz-Jim puts the hosts ahead
Monza threatened first when Dany Mota headed wide from an early corner. Torino replied through Ardian Ismajli, who headed a set-piece chance just wide, before Rolando Mandragora sent a long-range shot over the bar.
The opening goal came six minutes before half-time. Giovanni Simeone passed to Fitz-Jim, who advanced into the penalty area and smashed the ball into the roof of the net to give Torino the lead.
Monza appealed for a penalty in stoppage time after Ricardo Mangas went down in the box, but their claims were rejected. Nevertheless, the visitors needed less than two minutes after the break to equalize, as Varela capitalized on a defensive mistake and calmly side-footed the ball into the bottom corner from the right side of the area.
Belghali and Vlašić seal Torino’s Serie A win
Torino faced another blow when Mandragora had to come off injured, but the home team kept pushing forward. Monza goalkeeper Noel Törnqvist made crucial saves against Belghali, Simeone, and Pietro Comuzzo before finally being beaten in the 61st minute.
Belghali produced the highlight of the match, dribbling past two defenders before curling a superb shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom corner. His goal restored Torino’s lead and gave the hosts fresh momentum.
Monza kept searching for another equalizer, with Lucas Perri denying Jay Robinson and saving a header from Mangas. At the other end, Che Adams forced Törnqvist into another save with a long-range effort.
Vlašić increased Torino’s lead in the 72nd minute, firing a loose ball high into the net from the edge of the penalty area. Substitute Michael Folorunsho threatened with a late shot from distance, and a late own goal by Scottish defender Nathan Patterson added tension, but Torino held on to secure their second consecutive league victory.