Torino put in a strong defensive shift in the second half of their one-goal lead against Lazio as Ivan Ilic’s 43rd minute strike sent Ivan Juric’s side on their way to three points at the Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio came out strong in the opening exchanges and almost found themselves ahead within minutes, had it not been for the quick reflexes and strong hand of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the Torino net.
The build-up play from Sarri’s side was patient and intricate as the Biancocelesti looked for ways to unlock the Torino back three.
Tensions started to heat up as the two sides settled into the game and Karol Linetty was the first recipient of a caution from referee Davide Ghersini, who would go on to get the yellow card out on five further occasions over the course of the game.
Torino did not buckle under the pressure and the increasing intensity around the Stadio Olimpico, remaining strong in the tackle and resilient against Lazio’s slick passing.
Ivan Ilic found the breakthrough after 43 minutes, hitting a driven, low strike towards the Lazio net and despite Ivan Provedel getting a hand to it, the power of the shot allowed the ball to spill in, giving Torino the advantage heading into the interval.
Ciro Immobile began readying himself shortly after the restart and was met with a warm reception from the Stadio Olimpico as he came on in place of Pedro, wearing a protective sleeve as a result of his recent off-the-pitch injuries.
Provedel was called into action shortly afterwards, making himself big to deny Nemanja Radnojic from point blank range.
The longer the game went on, the more the frustration from the Lazio players began to show and the game became relatively stop-start for certain periods of the second half.
The fouls kept coming in, the yellow cards were brandished, meanwhile the clock kept on ticking. Time suddenly began to start running out for Maurizio Sarri’s side.
The later the match ran on, the more Torino players were put behind the ball and the defensive unit, particularly Perr Schuurs, who hardly put a foot wrong all game, were resolute in their defensive efforts.
Lazio continued to knock on the door for the remainder of the second half, but the final ball often lacked the touch of quality required to find the important breakthrough.
Mattia Zaccagni’s wayward strike two minutes into injury time was symbolic of Lazio’s untidiness inside the penalty area for the vast majority of the second half.
As a result, Torino have sprung back into the top half of the Serie A table, whilst Lazio could slip into third place, should Juventus beat Napoli at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday evening.