In this weekend’s penultimate Serie A fixture, Torino faced a rampant Napoli team, who after this 1-2 victory away from home, continues to stretch their lead on second spot ahead of Roma who are still battling out for the coveted automatic Champions League position. Torino on the other hand continued their inconsistent form with two wins from their past five league games.
In a game widely controlled by Maurizio Sarri’s men, Torino coach Giampiero Ventura believed his side were, “Spectators to the Napoli show.”
An early goal from Gonzalo Higuain, stretching his goal tally to 33 goals this Serie A season with a goal in the 12th minute assisted by Marek Hamsik, and then soon after in the 20th minute the visitors doubled their lead with a goal from Jose Maria Callejon assisted again by the Slovakian international.
Torino need to do better
Ventura admitted his side were outclassed, “If Napoli are second on the table, it means they are superior to us,” however, in his view, “That doesn’t excuse the first half performance,” Ventura speaking to Mediaset Premium.
Torino coach did not know where or who to pin the blame for his side’s performance against a strong Napoli side, “I don’t know if it was fear or anxiety, but we were completely passive,” though he believes, “You lose in football, but mustn’t have the regret of not giving it your all...”
Ventura’s side is full of young talents and he expressed his view that those players, “Perhaps did not realise the importance of the match,” he spoke on Pontus Jansson, his 25-year-old defender, “Pontus Jansson was struggling with Higuain early on." He add, "but after the break he only let him get one shot away from distance,” showing the defender has in his eyes, “potential,” for the future.
Torino were however back in the game mid-way through the first half with a goal from Bruno Peres who chipped Napoli goalkeeper, Pepe Reina on 66 minutes, though Ventura's men could not find an equaliser.
Torino end the season away against an impressive Empoli who sit one point away from Ventura's men on twelfth. As nothing rides on this fixture other than a win for either side means one of these teams leap frog one another.