Sloppy passing means defence shines for Torino

Torino came into this game on the back of a five-game unbeaten run in Serie A, scoring four goals and conceding none. Atalanta came to Turin on the back of a 3-1 loss against AC Milan, ending an eight-game undefeated streak in all competitions going back to Boxing Day. With both sides on the edge of the European spots, many were looking forward to this match as a contest between two sides who both play effective pressing football.

Torino have conceded fewer goals through 24 matches in Serie A than any campaign since the 1992/1993 season, but they are winless in their past five league meetings against Atalanta. Under manager Walter Mazzarri, Il Toro have become defensively impressive having only conceded 22 goals this season, but they have struggled in attack with only 30 goals scored.

Atalanta, under Gian Piero Gasperini, have been one of the most entertaining sides in Italian football. They have scored the second most goals (51) in Serie A, only two behind league leaders Juventus.

Lineups

Fresh off an impressive 0-0 draw with second place Napoli, Torino made three changes. Mazzarri reverted from a 3-5-1-1 against Napoli to his more standard 3-5-2 against the team from Bergamo. Iago Falque came into the starting lineup, leading the front line alongside Andrea Belotti. Daniele Baselli came into central midfield alongside Sasa Lukic, taking the place of a suspended Tomas Rincon, while Soualiho Meite came into the midfield as Cristian Ansaldi dropped to the bench.

Atalanta made four changes over the side that lost at home 3-1 to AC Milan. Alejandro Gomez missed the match through injury, which meant Timothy Castagne moved from left wing-back to the right attacking midfielder behind Duvan Zapata, who has the fourth most goals in Serie A so far this season (16).