Walter Mazzarri has given Torino extra training to deal with Atalanta, but assures Simone Verdi “just needs a spark” to regain confidence.
It kicks off on Saturday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Too often this season we have dropped off towards the end of games, so we trained extra hard and hope to avoid dropping more important points due to late errors,” said the coach in his press conference.
Walter Mazzarri has given Torino extra training to deal with Atalanta, but assures Simone Verdi “just needs a spark” to regain confidence.
It kicks off on Saturday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Too often this season we have dropped off towards the end of games, so we trained extra hard and hope to avoid dropping more important points due to late errors,” said the coach in his press conference.
“Atalanta are a strong side, I saw them play against Inter and they are of the highest level. We need an exceptional match to cause them difficulties.
“They’ve been a fixture in the top six for years now, and if they manage to get into gear, they are a problem for any opponent. Gian Piero Gasperini has done so well to get the new arrivals working and the whole team gelled. On top of great physicality and athleticism, they are also strong on a technical level.”
Simone Zaza, Cristian Ansaldi and Daniele Baselli are out injured, but Iago Falque is included, despite considering a transfer to SPAL.
Simone Verdi continues to disappoint, yet Mazzarri won’t lose faith in the former Bologna and Napoli man.
“Verdi can count on the faith of his coach, his teammates and the club. Sometimes, when a player wants to prove himself, he tries too hard and that takes away from his concentration. He just has to keep it simple and work with the team.
“From one day to the next, we could see him become a completely different player. It just takes a spark to change everything. He almost got it when his shot hit the post against Bologna.”
Torino squad for Atalanta: Rosati, Sirigu, Ujkani; Bremer, De Silvestri, Djidji, Izzo, Laxalt, Lyanco, Nkoulou, Singo; Adopo, Berenguer, Lukic, Meité; Belotti, Edera, Falque, Millico, Verdi