Position: 10
Points: 50
Comparison with previous season: +13 (17th)
Season overview
A very positive campaign for Torino in Ivan Juric’s first season at the club. The Granata finished in mid-table and it’s a big improvement from last season, when they finished just above the relegation zone. Suddenly, playing against Torino is considered a tough game that not many look forward to. Juric has built an entertaining squad with a clear identity despite the lack of a solid top-scorer during the campaign. They haven’t always had the support they needed from fans, especially in home games and have been dealing with Andrea Belotti’s contract saga, but the players remained focused on the pitch, collecting some impressive results such as a 1-1 draw in the debry della Mole against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.
Turning point of the season
There hasn’t really been a pivotal moment in the season where Torino’s fortunes have turned around. However, their 4-0 win over Fiorentina confirmed they were one of the most dangerous teams in Serie A, with not many weak points. Gleison Bremer, the best Serie A defender in the season, nullified Dusan Vlahovic in one of his last games in a Viola shirt. A brace from Josip Brekalo and goals from Wilfried Singo and Antonio Sanabria helped the Granata secure the most convincing victory of the season against a team that eventually qualified for Europe. They will need more like this to achieve the same next term.
Coach – Ivan Juric
Ivan Juric has been a breath of fresh air in Turin. He is exactly what the Granata needed. Somebody with authority and self-belief to take Torino in a new direction. He has admitted the beginning was extremely difficult because he had a group of players who had been there a long time and things went a little flat. His philosophy of taking the game to the other team and being aggressive on and off the ball has definitely lifted the players and has allowed some talents to shine. The Croatian tactician has once again proved to be one of the most exciting and ambitious coaches in Serie A.
Player of the year – Gleison Bremer
There isn’t even a discussion on who the standout performer was. Bremer is the man mountain who has nullified some of the best strikers in the league, including Vlahovic both at Juventus and Fiorentina. The Brazilian centre back has produced strong displays showing his ability to defend with his physical strength and with his brain and game understanding. He extended his contract in February, but he is still expected to leave in the summer with Inter, Roma and Tottenham Hotspur interested. Torino have promised to let him go for €25-30m, a real bargain for whoever will manage to put his hand on him.
Disappointing player of the year – Ricardo Rodriguez
The Swiss international has more in his capabilities than he showed this season. Rodriguez has the potential to produce more assets and goals from the left hand side, but it seemed like this season he was just happy to do the bare minimum. Being one of the more experienced squad members, Juric surely expects him to be more of an influence and lead the way for the younger players. The Croatian coach has used him in a position: left defender in a three-man back-line. On paper, he should produce the same as Alessandro Bastoni at Inter with late runs and opportunities to attack, creating one vs. one situations. It didn’t always happen this season.
Pietro Mingoia