Four-entina as Viola’s European hopes dealt Bullish blow

Ivan Jurić’s delightful Torino side swept away a timid Fiorentina outfit, triumphing 4-0 over the European-chasers, with the ‘Bulls’ extending their unbeaten record at home to seven matches – their longest run since 2016/17.

After a Covid outbreak had seen the original fixture scheduled for the weekend postponed, the hosts wasted no time in handing a different kind of test to the Fiorentina backline, netting twice in a frantic four-minute period. Opening the scoring through Wilfried Singo’s pinpoint header, Torino found themselves two goals to the good moments later, when Josip Brekalo converted from inside the penalty area.

No Serie A (SA) side has seen José Callejón directly contribute to more goals than Torino, yet the veteran forward played an unwanted part in the hosts’ third. Pouncing on the 34-year-old’s mistimed backpass, Brekalo rounded the onrushing Pietro Terracciano, before slotting into an empty net. A disappointing half for Vincenzo Italiano’s side is compounded by the fact that ‘I Viola’ have now conceded eight of their previous nine goals in the opening 45 minutes.

Winners in just three of their previous 25 SA clashes with ‘I Viola’, Torino emerged from the break in the knowledge a memorable victory was on the cards. Not frightened by the burden of history, the hosts continued to attack and found a deserved fourth goal just before the hour mark. Latching on the end of a Rolando Mandragora defence-splitting ball, Antonio Sanabria skipped past the goalkeeper, before rolling home his second goal in three matches.

Forced to wait until the 71st minute for their first golden chance – a Nicolás González header comfortably palmed away by goalkeeper Luca Gemello – it was an evening to forget for Fiorentina. With their first defeat in five SA matches, the visitors slip further behind their fellow continental hopefuls, whilst Torino moves up into ninth with a valuable three points.