Wolves gained the advantage in their quest to reach the Europa League group stages with an impressive victory in Turin. Romain Saiss, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez all scored vital away goals in a memorable win over Torino, but the Italians remain in the contest ahead of the return leg.
Saiss’ glancing header from a brilliant Joao Moutinho free-kick had Wolves ahead and Jota then rifled home the second to create what looked a comfortable lead. Back came the hosts however and Lorenzo De Silvestri pulled a goal back to reignite the contest.
A stunning solo goal courtesy of Jimenez looked to kill the Italians off once again, but Torino remain alive after Andrea Belotti’s penalty made it 3-2. Nevertheless, Wolves supporters could celebrate another fine night in Europe and they’ll hope there’s more to come.
An intimidating atmosphere it may have been, but Wolves will have been pleased with their solid start to the contest, if not a little disappointed to not take an early lead. Adama Traore continued from where he left off against Manchester United by charging down the right and squaring for Jota, but his powerful strike was saved by the feet of Salvatore Sirigu.
However, Wolves knew they were in a game of higher intensity than the previous two rounds of the competition and were grateful for Rui Patricio’s woodwork on 20 minutes, as Nicolas Nkoulou’s header from a Armando Izzo cross cannoned off the top of the crossbar and away from danger.
Set pieces were playing a key role during the opening half and Wolves should have taken the lead from a dead ball earlier than they did. Moutinho whipped in a brilliant free-kick which Leander Dendoncker met, but could only head into the ground and wide at the back post.
With the interval approaching, Izzo had a chance of his own to put Torino ahead, but the defender’s header was kept out by Patricio. Thankfully, when Wolves had a free-kick of their own, they were more clinical. Moutinho whipped in another brilliant delivery which Saiss glanced into the far corner to spark pandemonium in the away end.
Half-time: Torino 0 Wolves 1
The intense battle continued after the break and Wolves threatened a second a matter of minutes into the second half, but Willy Boly’s powerful header from another Moutinho free-kick wasn’t as accurate as Saiss’ earlier in the game.
However, when the next opportunity fell to Jota, he made no mistake. Traore did brilliantly down the right, twisting his man inside out before rolling his cross on a plate for the Portuguese to hammer Wolves’ second.
The two-goal advantage lasted just a matter of minutes however, as De Silvestri was left with space at the back post to nod his side back into the contest instantly. In a much opener game, both sides were searching for the crucial next goal and Jimenez had a golden chance for three from a fine Jota pass, but he was crowded out once on his left foot.
Jonny Otto and Pedro Neto took to the field either side of that Jimenez chance, so both were in prime position to watch the Mexican score himself in incredible fashion. Jimenez did it all on his own this time, dribbling through the heart of the Torino team and calmly slotting home his fifth goal of this Europa League campaign.
With time running out Torino gave themselves renewed hope before heading to Wolverhampton, as Ruben Vinagre fouled Belotti inside the area and the striker duly tucked away from 12 yards with the final action of the game.
Full time: Torino 2 Wolves 3
Torino: Sirigu, Izzo, Baselli, Belotti, Zaza, Ansaldi (Aina 71), Berenguer (Lukic 59), Meite (Rincon 64), De Silvestri, Nkoulou, Bremer.
Unused subs: Rosati, Bonifazi, Millico, Djidji.
Wolves: Patricio, Traore (Jonny 64), Vallejo, Coady, Boly, Vinagre, Saiss, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Jota (Neto 69), Jimenez (Cutrone 76).
Unused subs: Ruddy, Bennett, Neves, Gibbs-White.
