Nikola Vlašić helped Torino claim a 2-1 victory away to Monza in their 2022/23 Serie A opener.
The Croatian joined Torino on a season-long loan from West Ham United last week and was named on the bench for the side’s first match of the campaign, away to newly-promoted Monza.
Aleksei Miranchuk – a fellow new signing for Torino – got the opening goal of the match on 43 minutes after the away side robbed possession high up the pitch, before the Russian tucked home from around 12 yards.
Vlašić would replace Miranchuk for the second half at the Stadio Brianteo, with Torino doubling their lead on 66 minutes. A poor clearance fell kindly for Samuele Ricci, who crossed for Antonio Sanabria to volley in.
Monza claimed a late goal back through Danny Mota’s penalty in the fourth minute of additional time, but Vlašić and Torino held on for a winning start to their 2022/23 season.
Elsewhere, Arthur Masuaku played the full 90 minutes for Beşiktaş, who let a three-goal advantage slip to draw 3-3 away to Alanyaspor.
Siyah Beyazlılar had stormed into a seemingly unassailable advantage in the first half at the Bahçeşehir School Arena after former Tottenham Hotspur winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou netted in the third minute, followed by Salih Ucan’s strike and Rachid Ghezzal’s penalty.
The away side would be reduced to ten men not long after their third goal, however, as Emrecan Uzunhan received a second yellow card, and Efkan Bekiroğlu reduced the deficit for Alanyaspor before half-time.
The home side got their second on 81 minutes as former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Romain Saïss turned into his own net, before Daniel Candeias secured the unlikely comeback from the penalty spot.
Jacob Knightbridge was also in action, playing in goal for Harrow Borough in their 1-1 draw with Winchester City.
The Academy goalkeeper is on a season-long loan with the Southern League Premier South side, who took the lead on 12 minutes thanks to George Moore’s powerful strike across goal.
Winchester City were level just a few minutes later, however, before Knightbridge was forced into a low save from a Claudio Herbert effort.
The youngster next tipped away Alex McAllister’s glancing header but could do little to deny Silvano Obeng’s finish, which was eventually ruled out for offside.
Knightbridge was again called into action in the second half, denying a Max Smith effort, with the shot-stopper helping Harrow to a second successive league draw.
