Napoli went into tonight's clash with Torino knowing that three points were imperative to keep faint hopes of catching Juventus.
Both sides found the net during an entertaining first half, with Blerim Dzemaili and Paulo Barreto both on target.
Marek Hamsik missed a penalty but Napoli reclaimed the lead through Dzemaili, before goals from Jonathas and Riccardo Meggiorini at the other end turned the match on its head.
With 10 minutes left Dzemaili completed his hat-trick before a crucial late brace from Edinson Cavani rounded off a memorable Napoli victory.
Here, look back at Serie A's game of the season so far with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Hello Calcio fans and welcome to the weekend's final action from Serie A. Napoli travel to Torino tonight knowing that only a victory will do if their title challenge is to stay alive. Torino are closing in on safety and can go a long way to securing another season in Serie A with a positive result this evening.
Napoli's title challenge has stuttered ever since their 1-1 draw with Scudetto rivals last month. Walter Mazzarri's men got their first win in five against Atalanta last time out another victory tonight is absolutely imperative.
The visitors were desperately hoping for Juve to stumble at the San Siro earlier today, but their prayers were not answered. Antonio Conte's side edged the Derby d'Italia 2-1 to stretch their lead at the top of Serie A to 12 points. With games running out Napoli must not only chase Juve but keep AC Milan at bay in the battle for second place. The pressure is on!
Torino have their own targets to fight for tonight, which should make the match fiercely competitive. Giampiero Ventura's men have an eight-point cushion on the bottom three and probably need two more wins to be certain of survival. Four of the six teams below Torino picked up points earlier today, which places extra significance on this evening's clash at the Olimpico.
Tonight's team news will make for interesting reading, with doubts surrounding the inclusion of Napoli's forward talisman Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan had his flight back from international duty delayed and is subsequently a doubt to play in Turin tonight. Napoli need their top scorer back and firing on all cylinders for the final nine games of the season, starting with Torino!
If Cavani is out tonight the visitors will be forced to rely on Goran Pandev and Lorenzo Insigne in the final third. Pandev has just scored just once in 2013, while Insigne has showsn flashes of quality but remains inconsistent.
Torino are heavily reliant on the attacking intent of Alessio Cerci, who was part of Cesare Prandelli's Italy squad in midweek. The 25-year-old will hope to add to his growing reputation by picking Napoli apart this evening.
This evening's other Serie A match has just finished and the result has implications at both ends of the table. AC Milan have recorded a 1-0 win over Chievo to go a point above Napoli in second place. The Blues must get at least a point tonight or they will end the Easter weekend in third.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! As we suspected Napoli have elected to leave Cavani on the bench tonight, what a huge gamble from Mazzarri. Pandev and Inisgne will lead the line in a must-win game. A full look at both starting XI's will follow in just a few minutes.
TORINO: Gillet, D’Ambrosio, Glik, Rodriguez, Darmian, Basha, Gazzi, Cerci, Santana, Barreto, Vives
NAPOLI: Rosati, Gamberini, Cannavaro, Britos, Maggio, Behrami, Dzemaili, Hamsik, Zuniga, Pandev, Insigne
Mazzarri has been forced to make three changes following the disruption of international football last week. Cavani is only deemed fit to take a place on the bench, while Morgan De Sanctis and Hugo Campagnaro also miss out. In comes Miguel Angel Britos and Antonio Rosati.
Rosati will make only his second ever start in goal for Napoli. Another risk for Mazzarri is the inclusion of Britos, who starts his first match since fracturing his jaw against Juve last month.
Napoli had further fitness worries in midfield, with Valon Behrami hurting his heel on international duty. The former West Ham playmaker has passed a late check and will Blerim Džemaili in central midfield tonight.
Torino will line up in their trademark 4-2-4 formation tonight but have forced to make two changes of their own. Matteo Brighi and Valter Birsa are both out injured, but Cerci will occupy a wide attacking role opposite Mario Alberto Santana.
While the home side may be fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table they should not be underestimated tonight. Torino are unbeaten at the Olimpico in 2013, which Lazio found out to their cost two weeks ago.
All signs are pointing towards a tight encounter this evening, which was also the case when the two sides met earlier this season. Torino managed to claim a 1-1 draw at the San Paolo thanks to a strike from Gianluca Sansone.
In matches where a single goal could make the difference having substitutes ready to make an impact is crucial. Napoli have players capable of coming on to score a winner, with Cavani, Armero and Gokhan Inler all waiting in reserve.
PREDICTION! As both sides prepare to take the field at the Olimpico there is just time to get my take on tonight's clash. Napoli are in dire need of three points and I think they will get them, but only just. Expect Torino to play an expansive game with width and cause the visitors problems throughout. I will go for a narrow 2-1 Napoli win, with Cavani to make the difference from the bench.
Torino's loyal home support have created a fantastic atmosphere this evening, which should add to an important occasion. Both sides desperately need the points but who will prevail in Turin tonight? We are about to find out!
Torino get us underway at the Olimpico and decide to keep possession deep before launching a long diagonal to Baretto. His quick turn deceives Cannavaro but is heavy and gives Napoli the chance to clear their lines.
Zuniga brings Napoli into the match with a dart inside, but is tracked well by Cerci. The battle between those two wing wizards may well hold the key to tonight's clash.
Torino launch another pass towards Cerci, who chases down the long ball and sends a superb cross towards the far post. With Vives well placed in the penalty area Gamberini is forced into a last-ditch clearance, which he gets right to let Napoli off the hook. Mazzarri's men are yet to take a foothold in an open match.
There is little subtlety to Torino's approach, find Cerci on the right and follow his lead. Napoli have decided to deploy Behrami slightly deeper to help Zuniga and Gamberini deal with the Italian international's obvious threat.
SHOT! Napoli finally launch a counter through Hamsik, who finds Pandev in space just outside the penalty area. After electing to take a touch before shooting the forward's drive is blocked by Gazzi and sent behind for a corner kick.
GOAL! Torino 0-1 (Dzemaili)
The deadlock has been broken by a stunning drive from distance by Dzemaili. A short corner from Hamsik picked out the midfielder in space and from 30 yards his powerful strike flew past Gillet into the top corner. Slightly against the run of play Napoli are ahead thanks to a moment of individual brilliance.
Hamsik has gone down under a challenge from Glik and is clutching his face. There was definitely a coming together but the Napoli player's appeals for further punishment are falling on deaf ears.
CHANCE! After a brilliant break Torino have just spurned a gilt-edged chance to equalise almost instantly. Santana made a clever run beyond Cannavaro towards the far post, but after meeting Barreto's cross a looping header goes well wide of the near post. That was a chance the home side simply had to take against this quality of opposition.
Napoli win another corner after a clever exchange between Maggio and Pandev on the right wing. This time Torino do enough to clear their lines with just Cerci left out of the penalty area. The visitors continue to probe and are starting to stamp their authority on a congested midfield battle.
Rodriguez slips over and brings down Inisigne while Napoli had men spare on the counter. The visitors want the Uruguayan booked but once again the referee decides the award of a free kick is enough punishment.
BLOCK! Insigne picks out Pandev with a superb pass inside two defenders, but the forward decides to take an extra touch and is crowded out. Napoli recycle possession quickly and find Maggio, who has a low shot blocked behind by Darmian.
Napoli control possession for a significant spell inside the opposition half and work a clever opening for Insigne. Despite initially controlling with his chest the striker drags his shot well wide of the far post from range. After a bright start Torino must now ensure they don't fall further behind before the break.
Cerci carelessly gives away possession to Behrami with an aimless ball into central midfield. Torino need more from their star man if they are to get back on level terms tonight.
GOAL! Torino 1-1 Napoli (Barreto)
The home side react quickest in a frantic goalmouth scramble to equalise. Christian Maggio's attempted block took a double deflection off Glik and into the path of Barreto. The Brazilian took his time before sending a low finish under Roasti and just inside the near post. Torino are level 30 minutes into a pulsating first half at the Olimpico.
While that goal was a touch fortunate Torini have been rewarded for their willingness to attack in numbers and maintain a high tempo from the first whistle. This match could now go either way as both sides give away possession in quick succession in midfield.
Cerci wins a corner from Cannavaro and sends a superb low delivery across the six-yard box. D'Ambrosio makes a late run to meet the cross and is just inches away from making contact at the far post. That was a let off for Napoli are were all at sea defensively thanks to a lapse in concentration.
PENALTY TO NAPOLI! The visitors have been awarded a spot kick after Maggio was brought down in the box.
SAVE! With regular penalty taker Cavani on the bench Hamsik steps up to take. After a short approach Hamsik's low penalty into the bottom corner is brilliantly kept out by Gillet, who gets enough on the shot to stop any Napoli player following in for the rebound.
YELLOW CARD! Hamsik never looked confident with that effort, how Napoli must wish that Cavani was fit and available from the start this evening. Incidentally Torino defender Darmian was booked for the late lunge which brought down Maggio for the penalty kick. What a let off the Torino at the end of a fast-paced first 45 minutes.
Torino are hanging on and defending deep as the fist half draws to a close. Napoli look most dangerous when Hamsik quickly switches the play to pick out Maggio or Zuniga out wide, with the home side doing little to track the rampaging wing-backs.
HALF-TIME Torino 1-1 Napoli
Well that first half flew by! Both sides are desperate for the three points and contributed to an open half that had attacking intent in abundance.
After a thunderbolt from Dzemaili put Napoli ahead the visitors failed to consolidate their advantage. Torino have worked tirelessly and probably just about deserve to be level at the break, courtesy of Barreto's first goal for the club.
Mazzarri will be furious that Hamsik failed to convert from the penalty spot just before the break. The midfielder does not normally take penalties and his hesitation was seized upon by Torino keeper Gillet, who made a superb low save to keep his side level.
If Napoli fail to restore their lead early in the second half you can be sure that Cavani will be introduced. The Uruguayan has been left in reserve after a nightmare journey back from South America, but with the visitors desperate to win they will surely turn to their top scorer!
Torino need more from their star man Cerci. After a bright start on the right wing the Italian international faded badly towards the interval. If the home side are to secure a famous victory they need quality delivery from their most promising player in wide areas.
We are just a minute from resuming at the Olimpico. If the second half followers a pattern of attacking, open football then the conclusion to this weekend's Serie A action could provide something just a little bit special.
Napoli have resisted the temptation to introduce Cavani at the break. The visitors get the second half underway and quickly fire a diagonal ball towards Insinge, but the forward fails to control and gifts possession back to Torino.
GOAL! Torino 1-2 Napoli (Dzemaili)
A wonderful passage of play from Napoli has unlocked Torino's defence as Dzemaili scores his second of the game. Zuniga launched the attack out wide and found Hamsik in the penalty area. His clever cutback found Dzemaili on the edge of the box and despite considerable pressure he was able to apply the finish with a low strike into the bottom corner. What a start to the second half for Mazzarri's side!
Napoli were unable to keep the lead after Dzemaili's first strike, can they do better on this occasion? Torino look stunned and are struggling to match Napoli's tempo since the interval.
YELLOW CARD! Rodriguez has just been booked for a cynical tackle on Maggio, which stopped a promising Napoli counter. From the resulting free kick Insigne sends a curling effort just wide of the far post. The visitors are now dominating possession and territory as they bid to reclaim second place in Serie A.
CHANCE! Dzemaili has just spurned a chance to claim his hat-trick. An incisive Napoli counter saw the midfielder burst in-behind unmarked, but Gillet was left with a routine save thanks to a tame strike into the ground.
TORINO SUBSTITUTIONS: Ventura has decided to make a pair of changes. Masiello and Meggiorini are on for Vives and D'Ambrosio as the home side revamp their left flank.
After a frantic start the second period has slowed somewhat, with Torino finally starting to offer a threat on the counter. After winning a corner kick Santana's delivery eventually finds Meggiorini, who wants a penalty after being brought down by Cannavaro. Despite a forceful tackle the referee decides that the Napoli defender made contact with the ball, but his studs were definitely showing.
The home side keep the pressure on by winning another corner, but this time Rosati clears with a routine punch under little pressure. Napoli use the quick clearance to break and win a corner of their own as Maggio is tackled by Glik in the final third. End-to-end action here at the Olimpico!
Zuniga picks out Insigne with a precise diagonal pass as the home side decide to control possession and take the sting out of Torino's response. Napoli have definitely had more time on the ball since the break and worked harder to win the ball back high up the pitch.
NAPOLI SUBSTITUTION: With 20 minutes left Cavani has been brought on by Mazzarri. Insigne is the player withdrawn after working tirelessly alongside Pandev for more than an hour.
TORINO SUBSTITUTION: The home side respond by replacing Barreto with Jonathas. The tall striker provides a different kind of threat as the home side search for an equaliser in the closing stages.
A scrappy period of play sees both sides concede possession under little pressure, perhaps tiredness is creeping in after a frenetic early pace. Cavani is yet to have an impact on the match but is fresh and waiting for a chance to strike.
PENALTY TO TORINO! High drama as the additional assistant behind the goal awards the home side a penalty for Cavani's handball in the area. That was pretty clear-cut and has provided Torino with the perfect chance to equalise.
GOAL! Torino 2-2 Napoli (Jonathas)
After a long run-up Jonathas sends a precise low penalty into the bottom corner and Torino are level. A moment of madness from Cavani may have thrown away three precious points. The visitors now have just over 10 minutes to find a winner after twice throwing away the lead.
GOAL! Torino 3-2 Napoli (Meggiorini)
A horrible mistake in possession from Britos has gifted Torino a late winner. Meggiorini robbed the ball and stayed calm to round Rosati before netting from close range.
GOAL! Torino 3-3 Napoli (Dzemaili)
This is absolutely incredible. After conceding twice in five minutes Napoli have raced up the other end to equalise almost instantly. Zuniga found space out wide and cut back for Dzemaili, who smashed home his hat-trick with the outside of his right foot. A topsy-turvy clash takes another wicked twist as these two sides carru on fighting for all three points.
GOAL! Torino 3-4 Napoli (Cavani)
Cavani has just redeemed himself with a quite stunning free kick from 20 yards that flies into the far corner. A quite brilliant match gets it seventh and most decisive goal three minutes from the end. Is there enough time for Torino to respond yet again as both side lurch from disaster to glory in a truly memorable clash at the Olimpico.
NAPOLI SUBSTITUTION! With just stoppage time remaining Napoli swap hat-trick hero Dzemaili for defensive midfielder Rolando. The visitors have three added minutes to survive in order to claim a memorable win.
GOAL! Torino 3-5 Napoli (Cavani)
The two Napoli substitutes have just combined to finally confirm a vital three points. Armero darted out wide before crossing for Cavani, who towered above his marker to head home at the near post. A breathtaking match has just taken its final twist.
FULL-TIME Torino 3-5 Napoli
Well that was just a joy to watch. Eight goals, two penalties and countless chances at both ends finally finishes with a Napoli victory. They were unconvincing throughout but Mazzarri's men had just enough quality in the final third to move back to second in Serie A.
That just about does it for another rollercoaster in Serie A, I'll leave you to catch your breath. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
