With just two weeks of the Serie A season remaining, a diligent defence looked like Torino’s best hope of avoiding the drop.
Davide Nicola’s relegation-threatened side had conceded just five goals in their past six games, helping the Granata pull clear of the bottom three. And, with talismanic striker Andrea Belotti in the middle of a lengthy barren run, Torino’s new-found solidity could hardly have come at a better time.
Last night, however, everything fell apart as Juventus’ near neighbours slipped back into a hole they looked to have clambered out of.
And, as AC Milan ran riot at the Stadio Olimpico, two defenders linked with big-money summer moves to Liverpool endured perhaps the worst night of their Serie A career.
In March, Tuttosport claimed Jurgen Klopp’s Merseyside giants had submitted a £17 million bid for Wilfried Singo, an athletic, adaptable 20-year-old who started at right wing-back against Stefano Pioli’s Champions League-chasing side.
A few months ago, meanwhile, £26 million-rated Gleison Bremer showed why Liverpool are long-time admirers when he did what so many Serie A centre-backs have failed to do this season, keep the irrepressible Romelu Lukaku at arms’ length (Mirror).
There was to be no repeat of that composed and commanding performance when Milan came to town, however.
Singo and Bremer were torn limb from limb as Torino went down 7-0, the former gifting the Rossoneri their third of the game with a misplaced pass out of defence.
“We are particularly angry with ourselves, even if the boys have no responsibility,” sighed Nicola at full-time, throwing himself on to the grenade, via ToroNews.
“The responsibility is mine.”
Nicola may be taking the blame but Bremer and Singo will know, deep down, they have a case to answer.
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