Torino 3-2 Monza produced one of the most entertaining Serie A fixtures of the weekend, with the home side edging a five-goal thriller at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. Duván Zapata struck twice and Nikola Vlašić grabbed the decisive goal as Torino held off a spirited Monza comeback to claim all three points.

A five-goal thriller in Turin

Torino started with purpose and were rewarded for their early pressure when Zapata opened the scoring with a powerful finish inside the penalty area. The striker’s movement troubled Monza’s back line from the first whistle, and the visitors struggled to cope with Torino’s direct running through the channels.

Monza responded well, equalising through Matteo Pessina from the penalty spot after a foul in the box. The goal changed the mood of the contest, but Torino regained control before half-time when Zapata doubled his tally with a composed finish following a quick turnover in midfield.

How the match unfolded

The second half was a far more open affair. Monza pushed more bodies forward and found an equaliser through Dany Mota, whose low effort beat Vanja Milinković-Savić after a neat exchange on the edge of the area. For a moment, the visitors looked capable of turning the game completely around.

Torino, however, found another gear in the final 20 minutes. Vlašić, increasingly influential between the lines, arrived late in the box to convert the winning goal and restore the home side’s advantage. Monza pressed for a third equaliser in stoppage time, but Torino’s defence held firm under late pressure.

• Opening goal: Duván Zapata gave Torino an early lead with a strong finish.
• Monza response: Matteo Pessina converted a penalty to level the score.
• Torino retake control: Zapata scored his second before the break.
• Monza fight back: Dany Mota made it 2-2 in the second half.
• Winner: Nikola Vlašić struck late to secure a 3-2 victory for Torino.

Tactical story: width, transitions and midfield duels

Torino’s approach was built on getting the ball into Zapata quickly and supporting him with runners from midfield. Their wide players stretched Monza’s back three, creating space for cut-backs and second-ball situations. The home side were also aggressive in the press, forcing Monza into several hurried clearances during the first half.

Monza’s best moments came when they bypassed Torino’s first line of pressure and attacked through the half-spaces. Pessina’s positioning between the lines caused problems, while Mota’s direct running gave the Torino defence something to think about. In the end, though, Monza’s willingness to commit numbers forward left gaps at the back, and Torino punished them with the winning goal.

Standout players

Zapata was the obvious match-winner for Torino, with his two goals showcasing both his strength in the box and his finishing instincts. Vlašić grew into the game and delivered the decisive contribution, while Milinković-Savić made important saves in the closing stages. For Monza, Pessina was the driving force in midfield, and Mota’s energy and movement kept the visitors in the contest.

What the result means for the Serie A table

The win gives Torino a valuable boost in the Serie A standings and reinforces their ability to grind out results in tight, high-scoring games. For Monza, the defeat is a frustrating one after twice fighting back to level the score. They leave Turin with encouragement from their attacking display but without the point their second-half performance arguably deserved.

In a match that swung repeatedly, Torino’s late composure proved the difference. The 3-2 scoreline flatters neither side’s defensive record, but it underlines the attacking quality and intensity that made this one of the standout results of the Serie A round.