Torino's poor start to the Serie A season continues after they put in a determined display against Hellas Verona in this evening's clash at the Stadio Olimpico, but an Artur Ionita goal in the second half nevertheless saw the visitors come away with a 1-0 win.
The home side had the best of the early stages, Omar El Kaddouri firing an ambitious shot in the third minute from outside the area that flew over, while Amauri's effort moments later was comfortably saved.
Juan Gomez then caused a scare by hitting the woodwork midway through the first half, courtesy of a precise Lazaros Christodoulopoulos corner.
Torino blitzed forward at the start of the second half, with Fabio Quagliarella and Amauri creating panic in the box, until Vangelis Moran cleared the danger.
The home side soon had Verona under the cosh, but surprisingly, the Gialloblu went on to take the lead against the run of play in the 66th minute.
Ionita, on the pitch for just three minutes, scored with a shot that bounced off the post and into the net to put his side ahead and become the first Moldovan to score in Italian football in the process.
World Cup winner Luca Toni had the perfect chance to put the game to bed for Verona in the 75th minute, but the Italian veteran blasted wide from three yards.
The game took on a dramatic twist when Torino were given the chance to equalise from the penalty spot with three minutes to go after Bruno Peres was bundled in the area.
However, El Kaddouri's spot kick was saved by Rafael, ensuring that the visitors would claim all three points and climb to third place in Serie A.
Meanwhile, the beleaguered Toro now sit at the foot of the table.
Giuseppe Labellarte
