Sassuolo vs Torino Player Ratings: Nikola Vlasic's Penalty Decides Cagey Affair 0-1

It was a match that won't live long in the memory for neutrals, but Torino won't care one bit. They executed a perfect away performance against Sassuolo, grinding out a 1-0 victory in this Serie A clash. This match was always going to be decided by a single moment of magic or a costly mistake. It turned out to be the latter.

The game was a tactical chess match for large periods. Both sides struggled to create clear-cut openings in a congested midfield. We saw glimpses of danger, like a big chance missed by Duván Zapata for the visitors in the first half, but the goalkeepers were rarely tested. The defining moment arrived after the hour mark, a moment of clumsiness that decided the fate of the three points.

Substitute Giovanni Simeone was brought down in the box by a rash challenge from Josh Doig. It was a clear penalty. Nikola Vlašić stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick, sending the keeper the wrong way. Sassuolo huffed and puffed in response but simply lacked the quality in the final third to break down a resolute Torino defence, which stood firm to secure a valuable win on the road. Here are Sportsdunia's Sassuolo vs Torino player ratings.

Torino Player Ratings vs Sassuolo

Check out the Torino player ratings for the Sassuolo vs Torino fixture.

Goalkeeper

Alberto Paleari - 6.5: Honestly, he could have brought a book to read for most of the game. He only had one real save to make from Cristian Volpato, which he handled comfortably. His distribution was a bit hit-or-miss, with only 58% pass accuracy, but he did his job when called upon. A quiet, effective evening for the keeper.

Defenders

Guillermo Maripán - 7.5: A commanding presence at the back. What stood out to us was his reading of the game, making a massive 9 clearances. He was composed on the ball and even tested the opposition keeper with a long-range strike. A true leader's performance is to ensure a clean sheet.

Ardian Ismajli - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular outing. His pass accuracy was excellent at 94%, showing his composure in possession. However, he struggled a bit in the duels, winning just 4 out of 9. He played his part in the clean sheet but was overshadowed by his defensive partners.

Adrien Tamèze - 7.5: We noticed him everywhere. Playing in a defensive role, he was a monster, winning 8 of his 11 duels and making 5 crucial tackles. He was aggressive, determined, and snuffed out danger before it could even develop. An absolutely vital cog in this defensive machine.

Midfielders

Nikola Vlašić - 8.0: The match-winner and our Man of the Match. He showed immense composure to slot home the decisive penalty that sealed the win. Beyond the goal, he was a creative force, creating a chance and always looking to drive his team forward. A top-tier performance when it mattered most.

Marcus Pedersen - 6.5: A very mixed bag of a performance from our perspective. He created a gilt-edged chance for Duván Zapata, which should have been an assist. On the other hand, he lost possession an alarming 20 times. You could see the intent, but the execution wasn't always there.

Valentino Lazaro - 6.5: A workhorse on the flank. He battled hard, winning 4 duels and making a couple of important tackles. His final product was lacking, as none of his five crosses found their man, but his defensive contribution and energy were undeniable. A selfless shift for the team.

Kristjan Asllani - 7.0: The metronome in midfield. He was tidy, efficient, and his 9-ball recoveries were crucial in breaking up Sassuolo's play. He kept possession ticking over and even delivered a dangerous cross from a corner that almost led to a second goal. A very mature and controlled performance.

Gvidas Gineitis - 6.5: Was having a really bright game before being forced off with an injury. In his 58 minutes, he was all-action, winning 6 of his 9 duels and making 3 tackles. It was a real shame to see his evening cut short as he was making a positive impact.

Forwards

Ché Adams - 7.0: While he didn't get on the scoresheet, his contribution was immense. He was a constant nuisance, linking play effectively and drawing fouls. His hold-up play was excellent, and he provided the assist for a late chance for Simeone. He worked tirelessly for the team until he was subbed.

Duván Zapata - 5.5: From our viewpoint, a really poor showing from the captain. He missed a massive chance in the first half that could have changed the game completely. He looked off the pace, losing 7 duels and constantly giving the ball away. It was no surprise to see him substituted early in the second half.

Substitutes

Ivan Ilic - 6.5: Came on and helped shore up the midfield, providing fresh legs and maintaining control.

Giovanni Simeone - 7.5: A game-changing substitution. His direct running and energy won the penalty. A brilliant and decisive cameo.

Cyril Ngonge - N/A: Came on too late to make any real impact on the proceedings.

Manager

M. Baroni - 7.0: His game plan was perfect for a tough away fixture. He set his team up to be defensively impenetrable. His substitutions were spot on, with Simeone's introduction proving to be the masterstroke that won the match.

Sassuolo Player Ratings vs Torino

Check out the Sassuolo player ratings for the Sassuolo vs Torino fixture.

Goalkeeper

Arijanet Murić - 7.0: He had no chance on the penalty, which was expertly taken. He made two good saves, including a great stop to deny Guillermo Maripán from distance. He certainly didn't deserve to be on the losing side. A confident display despite the result.

Defenders

Josh Doig - 4.0: A day to forget for the defender. His performance will be remembered for one moment: the clumsy, needless foul that gave away the penalty. It was a catastrophic error that cost his team the game. He looked shaken after that and was rightly subbed.

Sebastian Walukiewicz - 6.0: He looked a bit shaky at times. He was booked and dribbled past on one occasion. While he made a couple of clearances, he never looked truly comfortable against Torino's attack and his passing into the final third was ineffective.

Jay Idzes - 5.5: A tough afternoon for him. He lost 7 of his 11 duels and also picked up a yellow card. He struggled with the physicality of Duván Zapata and then Simeone, and his 3 interceptions weren't enough to make up for a difficult defensive display.

Tarik Muharemović - 6.5: Probably the best of a poor backline. He put his body on the line with 7 clearances and a blocked shot. He won a decent number of his duels but was let down by the players around him. He can hold his head a little higher than his defensive colleagues.

Midfielders

Nemanja Matic - 6.5: The veteran captain tried to lead by example, making 9 ball recoveries and putting himself about. However, he also picked up a yellow card and committed 3 fouls, sometimes slowing down his own team's play. A mixed performance that showed both his experience and his limitations.

Aster Vranckx - 6.0: He was tidy enough in possession but offered very little going forward. From our perspective, he was too safe and failed to take any risks to break the lines. A very forgettable 63 minutes before he was substituted.

Ismaël Koné - 6.0: Much like his midfield partner, he was neat but ineffective. An 86% pass accuracy looks good, but he only won one duel and lost possession 8 times. The Sassuolo midfield was crying out for a spark, and he couldn't provide it.

Forwards

Cristian Volpato - 6.5: The only attacker who looked like he might make something happen. He forced a good save from the keeper and was always looking for the ball. However, his influence waned as the game progressed, and he was eventually substituted.

Walid Cheddira - 5.5: He really struggled to get into the game. He was physically dominated, losing 6 of his 10 duels, and was caught offside once. He offered very little threat and was another who was unsurprisingly hooked by the manager.

Armand Laurienté - 5.0: A passenger for most of the game. With only 31 touches in 79 minutes, he was completely anonymous. He failed to get the better of his fullback and offered no creativity or goal threat. A really disappointing display from a player with his ability.

Substitutes

Luca Lipani - 6.0: Brought on to add some energy but couldn't change the game's momentum.

Luca Moro - 5.5: Barely had a kick after coming on, failed to make any impact.

Alieu Fadera - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Fali Candé - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Nicholas Pierini - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

F. Grosso - 5.5: His team looked devoid of ideas in attack. They were defensively vulnerable to one crucial error, and that's exactly what happened. His substitutions failed to provide the necessary spark to get back into the game, leaving Sassuolo to slump to a frustrating home defeat.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match Goes to Nikola Vlašić