Roma came into this clash on the back of two hard-fought 1-0 victories to start the campaign, while Torino had failed to find the back of the net in SA this term prior to kick-off. As such, a goalless first half was perhaps unsurprising as both teams struggled to cause their opponents any real problems.
The two sides managed just three shots on target between them, and none were particularly dangerous. The hosts, at least, appeared to have a distinct plan, with their two best chances – headers from Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso – forcing Torino goalkeeper Franco Israel into comfortable saves.
Meanwhile, Torino were toothless, with Giovanni Simeone’s shot from just past the halfway line that drifted well wide of the post perfectly summing up their first half.
At the interval, Gian Piero Gasperini attempted to give his side extra impetus by introducing Tommaso Baldanzi and Evan Ferguson. The two did have a couple of sighters shortly after, yet it was the visitors who produced the clinical touch the Giallorossi yearned for.
Simeone was the architect, driving into the Roma half and playing a delayed one-two with Cyril Ngonge before curling an effort into the far corner from outside the penalty area.
Matías Soul almost provided an immediate response as his first-time effort from outside the box just evaded the top corner, but only a strong Mile Svilar hand prevented substitute Zakaria Aboukhlal from doubling his side’s advantage around the hour mark.
Despite going behind, Roma hardly controlled the game’s tempo in the final 20 minutes. In fact, Torino looked dangerous and, with a little more precision in their end product, may well have put the game to bed.
Although Niccolo Pisilli had a header saved by Israel in injury time as Roma applied some pressure, Simeone’s lovely strike was ultimately all that was needed to secure the three points and end a streak of four consecutive away SA defeats.
Meanwhile, this was Roma’s first home loss in 14 such encounters. They cannot afford to dwell too much on this result, given they face bitter rivals Lazio in the Derby della Capitale next Sunday.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Giovanni Simeone (Torino)
Click here for more on the match
