Torino and Lecce share points after two own goals

After a subdued first half, the game opened up following the interval. Kialonda Gaspar turned the ball into his own net in the 60th minute to put Torino ahead, but Daniel Bragança also scored an own goal 13 minutes later to bring Lecce level.

Torino coach Ignazio Abate was frustrated that his team had not converted its advantage into a victory.

“It was a scrappy, balanced game. You often run the risk of losing a match like that, but I am angry that we did not win it,” he said.

Abate felt his side had controlled the first half without finding the quality required in the final third.

“In the first half we were organised. It was not easy to draw them out, but we lacked something in the final 30 metres,” he said. “We knew their strength came from the two forwards and the midfielders arriving from deep, but we dealt with them well.”

The Torino coach was particularly disappointed that his side had allowed Lecce back into the contest after taking the lead.

“Ilkhan and Casadei came on well, but it was a shame that we dropped too deep after going ahead,” he said. “We had two clear chances to win it, and that makes you even angrier.”

Lecce boss Eusebio Di Francesco, meanwhile, was encouraged by his players’ response after falling behind, particularly given the defensive problems and injuries affecting his squad.

“For the first time, we came back into a game after going behind, and there are many positive things,” he said. “We had set ourselves up to stop Torino using the width, and we worked with application and concentration.”

He added: “Defensively, after talking about so many vulnerabilities, we found balance and strength. We conceded through an unfortunate deflection, but then we reacted.”

Di Francesco admitted there was still room for improvement in attack. “I would have liked more in the offensive phase. The two teams cancelled each other out a little. We can be more fluid and incisive.”

The Lecce coach welcomed the international break as an opportunity to recover injured players, while insisting the point was valuable.

“The result mattered, and I say that again today. I have given up a little of what I wanted in order to give the team more security, and the players responded well.”