Cristian Molinaro and Amauri saw off HJK Helsinki 2-0 to continue Torino’s impressive Europa League run.

Club Brugge were surprisingly held 1-1 at home by FC Copenhagen, meaning Toro are now two points clear at the top of the group.

Cristian Molinaro and Amauri saw off HJK Helsinki 2-0 to continue Torino’s impressive Europa League run.

Club Brugge were surprisingly held 1-1 at home by FC Copenhagen, meaning Toro are now two points clear at the top of the group.

The Granata hadn’t conceded a single goal in six Europa League games this season, including the preliminary rounds, and hoped to maintain that run against a Helsinki side that had lost both group matches. Daniele Padelli returned in goal, but Marcelo Larrondo, Migjen Basha and Alessandro Gazzi were unavailable.

In the opening minute Josef Martinez forced a difficult save from ex-Napoli goalkeeper Antonio Doblas, then on 17 minutes Giuseppe Vives saw his viciously dipping long-range effort smash against the crossbar.

It was all Toro and Doblas anticipated Amauri and the ex-Parma striker had a goal disallowed due to an incorrect offside flag.

Cristian Molinaro finally made the pressure count with the opening goal. Matteo Darmian burst down the right and chipped a cross to the back post for Molinaro to volley home with the inside of his right foot.

Demba Savage fired over moments later, but Marco Benassi tested substitute goalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson straight after the restart, then Molinaro miskicked the chance to make it 2-0 from an Omar El Kaddouri assist.

Padelli had to be alert when Lod managed to squirm his free kick under the defensive wall, turning it out for a corner.

Amauri doubled Torino’s lead when he gathered from Vives outside the box and drilled a scorching daisy-cutter into the bottom corner.

Amauri had another effort that skimmed the woodwork on the turn.

Torino 2-0 HJK Helsinki

Scorers: Molinaro 35 (T), Amauri 58 (T)

Torino: Padelli, Maksimovic, Jansson, Gaston Silva; Darmian, Benassi (Nocerino 71), Vives, El Kaddouri, Molinaro; Martinez (Barreto 76), Amauri (Quagliarella 67)

HJK Helsinki: Doblas (Eriksson 46); Sorsa, Heikkinen, Baah, Lampi; Tainio (Vayrynen 76), Annan; Savage, Lod, Zeneli (Alho 67); Kandji

Ref: Klossner (SUI)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector