Torino coach Ivan Juric reveals how Jose Mourinho inspired him at the start of his management career and why he bears no ill will towards Andrea Belotti for the move to Roma.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Giallorossi have hit some negative form lately with a defeat to Lazio in the Derby della Capitale and 1-1 draw against Sassuolo.
“They dominated the derby really, but the results aren’t coming their way. Roma will be highly motivated with players who are very difficult to face, especially at the Olimpico,” said Juric in his press conference.
“Mourinho is a top coach. Many years ago he wrote some books and at that time he was really innovative, with an interesting working method, dividing up the week of training. It was many years ago, but I really loved that book.”
Pietro Pellegri is not in the squad after spraining his ankle from the kick-off, while Sasa Lukic, Perr Schuurs and Ola Aina are also absent.
“Antonio Sanabria is doing better and had a few training sessions. He can’t play 90 minutes, so we must see if he starts or comes off the bench.
“Pellegri sprained his ankle, but it’s not a classic sprain, it’s a bruising of the bone, there is a bruise in there, so when he makes certain movements, he feels this pain.”
With several of the Toro players going to the World Cup in Qatar, Juric admits that is bound to weigh on their minds ahead of the final game of 2022.
“Lukic the other day was an idiot, as he had this pain in his calf and wanted to carry on, that’s putting the World Cup at risk. I understand why they are thinking about it, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I am thinking about it too, but that doesn’t mean I am leaving players out just because they have the World Cup. We’re not at that level yet.”
Samuele Ricci was called up for international duty with Italy, already having one senior cap under his belt.
“I am super happy with that news. He is growing without losing his characteristics and I hope another two or three of our Italians will get international duty too.”
Some of those who pushed to leave Torino have struggled elsewhere for regular playing time, including Josip Brekalo, Dennis Praet and current Roma striker Belotti.
“Brekalo and Belotti wanted different experiences,” noted Juric. “At the same time, Vlasic, Miranchuk and Radonjic were loaned to us for free and are doing well.
“There are two ways of seeing it, either we are weaker and they get to play with us more or we put them in a position to give their best. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. It’s easier for me as a coach when the players arrive so eager to prove themselves.
“Vlasic and Radonjic wanted to come here so they could earn their place at the World Cup, and they achieved that aim.”
Italy aren’t at the World Cup, but Belotti meets Toro for the first time as an opponent after leaving as a free agent.
“I have fond memories of him, he’s got heart and never held back. He wanted to try different experiences, but the lad always behaved perfectly with us and it is a pleasure to see him again.”