Torino 2-3 Wolves: Nuno’s men take step towards Europa League group stage
Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez were both on target for Wolves as they won 3-2 at Torino in the Europa League’s play-off round.
Wolves moved a step closer to reaching the group stage of the Europa League by winning 3-2 at Torino in the first leg of their play-off round clash.
Bremer’s own goal put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in front before half-time at the Olimpico Grande Torino on Thursday with Diogo Jota extending their advantage after the break.
Lorenzo De Silvestri’s header cut the deficit but Raul Jimenez struck in the 72nd minute to earn Wolves a potentially crucial third away goal, though Andrea Belotti’s late penalty leaves the tie more balanced.
Although they now face a tough task to qualify, Torino were close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute.
Nicolas Nkoulou rose highest to meet Armando Izzo’s right-wing cross, but his header clipped Rui Patricio’s crossbar and Wolves then missed a good chance when Leander Dendoncker narrowly failed to hit the target from a typically precise Joao Moutinho centre.
Crosses continued to provide the best chances and Wolves took the lead from another in the 43rd minute when an inswinging Moutinho cross was flicked in at the back post by helpless defender Bremer.
Wolves doubled their lead in the 59th minute thanks to more fine wing work, Adama Traore doing brilliantly on the right to pull a low cross back for Jota to finish, but Torino swiftly hit back.
Cristian Ansaldi whipped the ball in from the left and De Silvestri arrived to power home a header from close range.
RAUL MAKES IT THREE!! pic.twitter.com/ZyJKkxqt75
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 22, 2019
Jimenez restored Wolves’ two-goal cushion, though. The Mexico striker collected possession midway in Torino’s half and burst away from a series of challenges before slotting a calm low finish past goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
Walter Mazzarri’s Torino visit Molineux next Thursday with renewed hope thanks to Belotti’s 89th minute penalty, the striker converting after he was felled by Ruben Vinagre, while Rui Patricio had to save well from Belotti in added time.
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