Torino took a significant step toward safety in Serie A, edging past Lecce 1-0 thanks to Ché Adams’ first league goal in two months.
Both teams were missing key players due to injuries, and Torino entered the match on the back of four consecutive defeats.
Despite a sluggish start, the Granata were rescued by goalkeeper Alberto Paleari, who produced crucial stops from Ylber Ramadani and Lassana Coulibaly’s long-range efforts.
The deadlock was broken with Torino’s first shot on target. Scotland international Adams expertly finished at the far post, slotting home a precise cross from Nikola Vlasic on the right.
This was Adams’ first Serie A goal since the reverse fixture at Lecce on November 30.
Torino had opportunities to extend their lead. Zapata’s close-range effort went wide, while Wladimiro Falcone denied both the Colombian and Cesare Casadei from distance.
Paleari also kept Lecce at bay with a save from Omri Gandelman, and Riccardo Sottil’s free-kick skimmed over the bar.
In the second half, Falcone was again pivotal, producing two stunning saves: first, a reflex stop on Zapata’s close-range finish and later from a corner, aided by Danilo Veiga’s goal-line clearance. Adams came close to doubling his tally but missed a tight-angle effort.
Lecce pressed for an equalizer, and Banda nearly found it, striking the post with a curling shot that beat Paleari.
With the win, Torino climb to 26 points, nine clear of the relegation zone, while Lecce remain precariously 17th, just a single point above Fiorentina.
