Serie A | Torino 2-2 Pisa: Epic comeback to share the points
Torino fought back from 2-0 down to hold Pisa to a fourth consecutive stalemate, as Stefano Moreo’s career-best brace was cancelled out by Giovanni Simeone and Che Adams.
The Granata had suddenly found form after a dismal start, unbeaten in four including a victory over Napoli and midweek draw at Bologna. Alberto Paleari kept the gloves, with Franco Israel, Niels Nkounkou, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Perr Schuurs and Zanos Savva injured. Pisa were still without a win this season, albeit unbeaten in three after draws with Verona, Milan and Lazio. Calvin Stengs, Mateus Lusuardi and Tomas Esteves were still out, but Raul Albiol returned to the bench.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Torino had a huge opportunity after eight minutes when Marcus Pedersen rolled across from the right, finding the Che Adams flick on, but Adrian Semper stuck out a leg and somehow deflected the finish onto the crossbar.
Instead, it was Pisa who took the lead in a chaotic move. Stefano Moreo flicked on a cross for Ebeneezer Akinsanmiro to thump the underside of the crossbar, but as the ball came back in from Mehdi Leris, this time Moreo went for it himself and scored his first ever Serie A goal.
Cesare Casadei was furious with the decision to award a penalty, as his contact with Moreo just inside the area seemed minimal, but the veteran converted to double Pisa’s lead and his own tally. He hadn’t bagged a brace since 2014.
Moreo was also decisive at the other end, tracking back for a crucial block on Nikola Vlasic, while Malthe Hojholt risked more than a yellow card for his clumsy two-footed tackle on Vlasic.
Torino were dominating possession and got back into the game with a great Giovanni Simeone looping header, sensing the far top corner with his back to goal as he anticipated Canestrelli on Ardian Ismajli’s cross from the right.
It was very nearly 2-2 moments later, as Simeone sprung the offside trap and dribbled around Semper, but in doing that he lost his balance and couldn’t finish it off with the goal gaping. Torino coach Marco Baroni was sent off for dissent.
Torino did complete the comeback in first half stoppages, as Valentin Lazaro’s cross was flicked on to Adams, who took a couple of touches to create the gap, allowing him to blast into the far top corner with his left foot from six yards.
Cyril Ngonge came on for the restart and almost scored, his volley from the edge of the box on a corner skimming the upright.
Pisa also wanted to win it, Paleari getting down to parry the Calabresi strike at the near post after some good M’Bala Nzola hold-up play with his back to goal.
Torino 2-2 Pisa
Moreo 13, pen 29 (P), Simeone 42 (T), Adams 45+3 (T)
Player statistic
| 13' | Stefano Moreo (Assist: Mehdi Léris) | |||
| Cesare Casadei | 27' | |||
| 29' | Stefano Moreo | |||
| 37' | Malthe Höjholt | |||
| Giovanni Simeone | 42' | |||
| Ché Adams | 45+3' |
| Marcus Pedersen | 90+4' |

