Inter Milan took on Torino in Serie A tonight, looking to bounce back from a 3-0 humbling against league leaders Roma before the international break.
Walter Mazzarri's plans were thrown into chaos after Samir Handanovic was sent off just five minutes in, although Alessio Cerci missed the following penalty kick.
Alexander Farnerud did put Torino ahead soon after, only for Fredy Guarin's spectacular overhead kick to level the match late in the first half.
A topsy-turvy clash featured goals galore in the second half, with Rodrigo Palacio's brace only enough to earn Inter a point thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Torino substitute Nicola Bellomo.
Look back a thrilling clash in Turin with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text coverage below.
Evening Calcio fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole as we gear up for this weekend's final action from Serie A, which pits Inter Milan against Torino at the Stadio Olimpico.
A quick scan at today's results should give Inter plenty of incentive to perform tonight in Turin. Walter Mazzarri's men can go fourth by taking maximum points at the Olimpico, but face a stern test against an expansive Torino side who have been unable to match performances to points in recent weeks.
Inter have undergone something of a quiet revolution during the summer, with Walter Mazzarri poached from Napoli to take charge of the San Siro. His introduction has been largely positive, but a six-match unbeaten run was brought to a shuddering halt by Roma last time out, with the Nerazzurri ruthlessly exposed in a 3-0 home defeat.
Mazzarri has had two weeks to ponder what went wrong against Roma, with the challenge now to find a return to winning ways against Torino. That defeat aside Inter have definitely looked more solid under their new coach, while Argentine duo Ricky Alvarez and Rodrigo Palacio have been consistent performers in attack.
Torino meanwhile have been starved of results in recent weeks, despite having a player at the peak of his powers in Alessio Cerci. Giampiero Ventura's men are without a win in their last three and claimed a victory at the Olimpico since the opening day of the season.
The hosts will be strengthened ahead of Inter's visit by the return of Paulo Vitor Barreto and Alessandro Gazzi, who are available after serving a suspension for their part in last season's betting scandal. It will be interesting to see if Ventura opts to throw them straight into the side tonight.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received word on the starting XIs from the Olimpico, with Baretto and Gazzi both featuring for Torino, while Alvarez misses out for Inter. A full look at both lineups will follow in just a few moments.
TORINO: Padelli; Darmian, Vives, Moretti; D’Ambrosio, Brighi, Gazzi, Farnerud, Pasquale; Cerci, Barreto
INTER: Handanovic; Rolando, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus; Jonathan, Guarin, Cambiasso, Taider, Nagatomo; Kovacic; Palacio
Losing Alvarez through injury is a huge blow for Inter, who are already without Diego Milito, Hugo Campagnaro and Christian Chivu through injury. That all means Croatian youngster Mateo Kovacic moves forward in support of Palacio, while Rolando makes a rare start in central defence.
Torino have restored Barreto in attack ahead of Ciro Immobile, with Alesso Cerci continuing to play through the middle in support. Cerci has been a revelation in an unfamiliar central role this season, with six goals in seven games.
PREDICTION! With both teams due out imminently there is just time for to rather surprisingly opt for a home win this evening. I expect Cerci to give Inter's three-man backline consistent problems and that could well be enough to see Torino collect a shock 2-1 win. Inter have been strong away though, so something has to give.
The atmosphere at the Olimpico is building nicely, with the Granata fans vocal as ever. A slight delay as we await the two sides, who are yet to emerge!
At long last Torino and Inter are on the field, with the Granata looking for a first win over tonight's opponents in some 19 years. Can Cerci fire them to success this evening, or will Mazzarri's men return to winning ways? We are about to find out!
Torino get this clash underway shooting from left to right and immediately look for Pasquale out wide. A thick red has surrounded one side of the pitch, from a flare lit in the crowd.
Inter bring the ball out of defence with their first touches as the smoke clears, with Palacio putting pressure on Padelli early on.
OFF THE POST! Torino have gone within inches of taking the lead inside four minutes through Cerci, who saw a deflected strike hit the foot of the post from 12 yards. That chance came about after Inter exposed by a swift break, with a static three-man defence caught napping. An encouraging start for the hosts.
PENALTY TO TORINO, RED CARD! Inter have been reduced to 10 men and conceded a spot kick, with Handanovic penalised after bringing down Cerci with a slight touch in the six-yard box. The goalkeeper did make contact but the sending off looks harsh, much to the anger of Mazzarri.
Early drama then as Cerci waits to take the penalty, with Juan Pablo Carrizo on to take his place. His first action will to try and save the penalty!
SAVE! Quite incredible scenes as Carrizo gets across to turn Cerci's penalty round the post with his first touch. The penalty was at a nice height for the Argentine keeper, who took a step off the line before springing into action. A dramatic start!
With Baretto down injured there is just time to report that Kovacic was the player sacrificed for Carrizo to replace Handanovic. What a shame for the young Croatian and Inter, who must see out at least 80 minutes at a man disadvantage.
SAVE! Carrizo is quickly involved again as he palms D'Ambrosio's curling strike round the post. The ball fell kindly for the full-back after Cerci was closed down, but his effort lacked power and was parried behind for a corner kick.
Inter are sat deep in their own half as Jonathan shuts down Pasquale's attempts to cross out wide. Torino must show patience to probe following a lively start, as Cambiasso clears towards their only forward outlet in Palacio.
Inter's first opening of the night is worked brilliantly by a forward burst from Guarin, who gets free to cross from the right. His teasing delivery is begging for Taider to head home from six yards, but his attempts to meet it on the volley end with a poor strike that trickles wide. A wasted opportunity!
Another inviting ball from Guarin goes beyond the far post without either Palacio or Nagatomo making contact, with neither man able to anticipate the pass. Inter have looked much improved in the last five minutes, with Torino losing that element of surprise on the counter.
GOAL! Torino 1-0 Inter (Farnerud)
Just as things had gone quiet for Torino they break the deadlock in style. Cerci's flick over the top found a run from Swedish midfielder Farnerud, who left Guarin behind before firing a fierce half-volley into the bottom corner. Advantage to the hosts!
D'Ambrosio's switch to Pasquale falls short as Torino look to press home their advantage. Inter just need to steady the ship here and avoid falling further behind!
YELLOW CARD! Taider is rightly cautioned for a cynical challenge on Darmian, who had broken out of defence into space promisingly.
Barreto smashes a speculative volley over from 20 yards but really should have done better, with the ball sitting up nicely on the volley. Torino are in control but definitely need a second goal before feeling comfortable.
YELLOW CARD! Cerci gets in-behind Ranocchia to meet a ball over the top very similar to the opening goal. Inter recover to scramble clear and win a free kick in a strong position at the other end after a swift break, with Vives fouling Palacio wide of the penalty area. Despite not making the foul Gazzi has been cautioned, but what for is anyone's guess.
Inter fail to make the most of that free kick but are soon presented with an almost identical opportunity, as Farnerud brings down Jonathan near the corner flag. The Swede is made to leave the field with a cut to his eyebrow, but Cambiasso's switch to Jonathan fails to produce an effort on goal for the visitors.
YELLOW CARD! Farnerud has been cautioned after coming back on without permission, giving Inter yet another set piece from a promising position. Cambiasso once again goes short, but Palacio cannot get a cross in under pressure from Vives. Very wasteful from the visitors.
Guarin smashes well wide from 40 yards after neglecting to look for Jonathan out wide. Inter have improved vastly in the last five minutes, pressing higher up the pitch and forcing the action.
Good positional play from Rannochia thwarts Cerci's chances of meeting a deep cross to the far post. Cerci is soon involved again as he switches inside to Farnerud from the right, with a deflected drive eventually flying over for a corner kick.
GOAL! Torino 1-1 Inter (Guarin)
A stunning piece of improvisation has brought Inter level moments before the break. Guarin was the man who delivered, pouncing on Padelli's poor punch from a corner kick. The Colombian swivelled in mid air to meet the high wall with an overhead kick, which crept inside the far corner to level the scores.
HALF TIME Torino 1-1 Inter
Well Guarin's brilliant equaliser has changed the complexion of the match moments before the break. Torino had taken full advantage of their extra men to move ahead despite Cerci's penalty miss, but failed to build from there and were caught napping late in the half.
Inter deserve credit for rallying after that early setback, with Handanovic sent off inside five minutes. The Nerazzurri finally managed to establish possession towards the end of the half, with Guarin's moment of magic giving them a foothold in the match.
Despite missing an early penalty Cerci has been the star of the show for Torino, switching positions constantly to leave Inter's defence wondering what to do with the Italy international. Ventura now needs to make his sure his star man has a consistent supply line after the interval, with D'Ambrosio and Pasquale given license to get forward.
BENCH WATCH! Both managers have options in reserve if they want to change things after the interval. Inter boss Mazzarri could opt for Icardi for fresh legs in attack, while Torino have Ciro Immobile hoping to prove a point after being dropped from tonight's starting XI.
Both sides are back out at the Olimpico, with Cambiasso animated as he looks to rouse his troops for a fight in this second half. Just a reminder that Inter have 10 men after Handanovic's early red card, as the visitors get play back underway.
Inter have quickly established possession in this second half, with Nagatomo winning a throw-in. It looks like Torino are going to make an early change, with Immobile stripped and ready to come on.
SUBSTITUTION: Immobile has replaced the goalscorer Farnerud, with the forward nearly making an instant impact as Cambiasso smashes a corner kick clear under pressure.
GOAL! Torino 2-1 Inter (Immobile)
Immobile has only been on the pitch for a few minutes but puts Torino back ahead with a clinical finish into the top corner. The forward was quickest to react after Cerci's driving run inside was blocked, smashing beyond Carrizo with a superb finish.
GOAL! Torino 2-2 Inter (Palacio)
Inter are back level almost instantly and it's an another gift from Torino goalkeeper Padelli, who flaps hopelessly at a cross from Guarin. After failing to make contact Palacio was on hand to pick up the pieces, tapping home from close range.
SUBSTITUTION: Inter have made their second change of the night for fresh legs in midfield, with Taider replaced by Algerian colleague Belfodil.
Torino are just struggling to find their rhythm after conceding so cheaply, but win a free kick near the corner flag as Ranocchia brings down Baretto.
Inter comfortably clear their lines from the set piece and neatly set Belfoldil free on the counter, but Moretti is well placed to put in a fine covering challenge. Torino then quickly win a corner kick, with this end-to-end match now finely poised and capable of swinging either way.
GOAL! Torino 2-3 Inter (Palacio)
The 10 men lead thanks to a poacher's finish from Palacio, who profits from a superb run down the line from Belfodil. The substitute beat two players before crossing into the danger zone, finding Palacio unmarked at the far post. He made no mistake with an assured finish, putting Inter ahead for the first time tonight!
What a dreadful moment for Torino, who are now staring defeat full in the face. They still have time to force a response though, as Inter concede a corner kick thanks to a strong run down the flank from Immobile.
SUBSTITUTION: Torino have made a change in attack, with Meggiorini replacing Barreto. The hosts are wasteful from the corner kick though, with Immobile failing to pick up the pieces as his lofted cross goes high over the crossbar and behind.
YELLOW CARD! Cambiasso is cautioned after bringing down Cerci just outside the box, giving Torino a chance to throw numbers forward. Cerci takes himself and sends a powerful low cross towards the near post which could have gone anywhere. Thankfully for Inter it comes off Palacio, who slides in to clear.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Immobile is the latest player to be cautioned with a sliding tackle born out of frustration on Guarin. Inter take the chance to bring on Chelsea loanee Wallace for Palacio from the break in play, while Torino have swapped Brighin for Bellomo.
Cambiasso concedes another just outside the box and has to be careful as he argues with the referee. The set piece looks inviting for Cerci but his effort is a huge disappointment, curling harmlessly over the crossbar. Time running out now for the hosts.
Inter are temporarily down to nine men as Rolando hobbles to the touchline carrying a problem. Torino use that to their advantage by winning a corner kick, which is hammered clear by Cambiasso after bouncing in the six-yard box.
Pasquale takes too long to make his mind up out wide and eventually catches his own teammate in an offside position. That just about sums up Torino's frustrations, with the hosts trailing despite having an extra man since the fifth minute.
GOAL! Torino 3-3 Inter (Bellomo)
With the way this match has gone we should have expected an incredible finish, as Torino draw level in strange circumstances. Bellomo attempts to fire a dangerous cross towards the far post from a wide free kick, but his looping effort floats over Carrizo and just under the crossbar. Late drama and Torino are level in stoppage time!
FULL TIME Torino 3-0 Inter Milan
The referee brings a close to a superb match at the Olimpico, which featured six goals and drama aplenty. Torino had a man advantage from the fifth minute but in the end will be relieved to salvage a point, after equalising in the 90th minute. What a way to finish off a packed weekend of European football!
A hard-fought point means that Inter miss the chance to close the gap on Napoli and Juventus, settling for fifth place. Bellomo's late goal meanwhile moves Torino into the top half, which I'm sure Ventura will ultimately be happy with despite some alarming defensive lapses tonight.
Well that just about ends our coverage from Turin tonight, but be sure to stick with Sports Mole for comprehensive reaction on a busy night of action across the continent. Thanks for your company and goodnight!
