Ivan Juric has given a first start of the season to 23-year-old goalkeeper Luca Gemello, a decision that has been confirmed as a ‘technical’ choice rather than one taken because of injuries.
Gemello was chosen to start over regular first choice Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who played every single minute for Torino in Serie A during the 2022-23 season. The Serbian has not missed a league fixture since May 2022.
However, Davide Vagnati, Torino’s sporting director, told Sky Sport Italia before kick-off at the Dall’Ara that Gemello had been called up on merit, rather than an injury to Milinkovic-Savic.
“It’s a technical choice, these decisions are up to the coach. We have lots of confidence (in Gemello) and we move forward in preparation for an important match,” Vagnati said on Monday evening.
Gemello has made one appearance for Torino previously, which came in January of the 2021-22 season due to the unavailability of Milinkovic-Savic. On that occasion, he kept a clean sheet as his team rose to a 4-0 victory over Fiorentina.
He has made just one competitive start since then, which came in the Coppa Italia last November when Torino were knocked out by Frosinone in extra time.