Torino’s 3-2 Coppa Italia upset of Roma highlights the competition’s volatility — punters should consider backing underdogs or markets like both teams to score/over 2.5. Roma’s injury woes make backing short-priced favourites risky; draw/no-bet or in-play value on second-half swings could pay off as Napoli, Bologna and others have shown recent ties are frequently settled by fine margins.
Torino stun Roma as Coppa Italia upsets continue
Torino produced another shock in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, beating Roma 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in a game that underlined the competition’s unpredictability. Torino’s attacking intent paid off, and the visitors left with a memorable win that will reverberate through the cup draw.
Match facts and key moments
Che Adams opened the scoring for Torino and the game unfolded as a frenetic, back-and-forth affair. Roma fought to respond but were ultimately undone by defensive lapses and an energetic Torino forward line. The result ends Roma’s cup run and hands Torino momentum heading into the next round.
Roma hampered by absences and squad strain
Roma arrived at the tie with a depleted squad and the absence of suspended defender Gianluca Mancini. The Roma boss praised his players’ effort despite the outcome, noting that rotation and injuries have complicated their campaign across multiple competitions. He singled out Bailey’s work up front as a notable contribution in difficult circumstances.
Tactical fallout
With key defenders missing and matches piling up, Roma’s setup struggled to find consistency. The team’s need to manage league and cup priorities could push the coach to prioritize Serie A points, which opens the door for cup specialists and determined underdogs to cause further upsets.
Cup chaos: Napoli, Bologna and an open title race
The current Coppa Italia campaign has already served drama elsewhere: Napoli needed a marathon penalty shootout to edge Cagliari 10-9 in December. Bologna — last season’s surprise winners after beating Milan — are through to the quarter-finals and will face Lazio on February 11, 2026. The winners will meet traditional powerhouses such as Atalanta, Juventus or Inter in the later rounds.
Why no side can be written off
Historical runs — including Atalanta’s consistent deep runs since 2018-19 — show that momentum and cup form matter more than pedigree in Italy’s knockout competition. Tight fixtures and rotation mean every tie can swing on one moment or one tactical tweak.
Betting implications: how punters should react
The recent results argue for a cautious, value-driven approach:
- Consider backing underdogs in cup ties where top teams rotate heavily.
- Markets such as both teams to score, over 2.5 goals, or both-teams-and-result combos often offer value in volatile matches.
- Use draw/no-bet to protect stakes when favourites are weakened by injuries or suspensions.
- In-play markets can be lucrative as teams adjust after the first half; late comebacks and extra-time scenarios are common.
Practical tips
Focus on squad news and rotation decisions before placing bets. Monitor confirmed line-ups close to kick off and weigh the risks of backing heavy favourites in cup fixtures. Given the Coppa Italia’s recent history, small, targeted stakes on underdogs and goal markets may yield better long-term returns than blindly backing big names.
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The Coppa Italia has been producing shocking results in recent years, and the latest encounters...
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