Torino Beat Udinese 2-1 for Ignazio Abate’s First Home Win

Ignazio Abate Secures First Home Victory at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino

Torino secured its first home victory under manager Ignazio Abate, defeating Udinese 2–1 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Serie A action, ansa.it reported. Bragança opened the scoring for the hosts before Jens Ekkelenkamp leveled immediately for the visitors, and substitute Kulenovic later capitalized on a defensive collision to net the decisive second-half winner.

Abate and Runjaic Adjust Lineups for Scoreless First Half

Abate deployed a new 4-4-2 formation featuring a starting tandem of Simeone and Adams up front, flanked by Oristanio and Cacciamani. The tactical shakeup left Vlasic and Fitz-Jim on the bench, while Mandragora and Bragança anchored the midfield. For Udinese, coach Runjaic left arrival Alaba and Davis among the substitutes, selecting a front line of Gomez, Ekkelenkamp, and Chakvetadze, supported by a three-man defense led by Solet alongside former Torino players Vojvoda and Ebosse.

After an early chance by Chakvetadze was cleared for a corner, both sides struggled to generate scoring opportunities amid mounting caution. The deadlock broke late in the first half when Bragança reacted quickest after Adams struck the post. Udinese responded seven minutes later as Ekkelenkamp slipped past Comuzzo and Perri to equalize.

Kulenovic Capitalizes on Defensive Mix-up

Abate reverted to a three-man defense for the second half, introducing Ismajli for Rodriguez and later calling on Vlasic from the bench. The Croatian playmaker immediately created a prime scoring chance, delivering a cross that Comuzzo directed wide from close range. The decisive breakthrough arrived when Vlasic launched another long ball forward; Okoye rushed out of his penalty area and collided with Bertola, leaving Kulenovic an open net to score the 2–1 goal.

Runjaic responded by introducing Jovanovic and Davis and handing Alaba his Serie A debut, but Torino managed the closing minutes securely. Perri faced only routine work in the home goal, with the sole late scare coming from a 90th-minute long-range effort by Ekkelenkamp that drifted just wide of the post.

Consecutive Defeats Deepen Udinese Struggles

The final whistle confirmed three points for Torino, while extending Udinese’s losing streak to four matches.