With the end of the summer transfer window, Football Italia previews the 2021-22 Serie A campaign and what to expect from Torino. Words Vilizar Yakimov.
After a slow start to the Serie A campaign and some harsh words from coach Ivan Juric, Torino made several new signings in the final days of the summer transfer window to strengthen a team that struggled over the last two seasons.
TORINO TRANSFERS IN
Berisha (G, Spal), Warming (S, Lyngby), Pjaca (S, Genoa), Pobega (M, Milan), Zima (D, Slavia Praha), Praet (M, Leicester), Brekalo (M, Wolfsburg)
TORINO TRANSFERS OUT
Nkoulou (D, out of contract), Ujkani (G, out of contract), Murru (D, Sampdoria), Bonazzoli (S, Sampdoria), Goyak (M, Dinamo Zagreb), Sirigu (P, Genoa), Lyanco (D, Southampton), Ferigra (D, Las Palmas), Segre (M, Perugia), Ujkani (G, Empoli), Millico (S, Cosenza)
PROBABLE XI
WHAT TO EXPECT
After narrowly avoiding what would’ve been a catastrophic drop to Serie B last term, Torino changed direction by snapping Ivan Juric from Hellas Verona. Despite their poor form in pre-season and a tough start to the Serie A campaign with back to back defeats against Atalanta and Fiorentina, the new signings registered over the last 48 hours of the summer transfer window leave room for optimism.
In January, the Granata paid for the unsuccessful experiment under Marco Giampaolo, who had started the season but was replaced by Davide Nicola. Torino finished 17th with 37 points, just four above the relegated Benevento. They may not be strong enough to reach a European placement, but Torino fans surely hope not to suffer as they have during the last two campaigns.
COACH – IVAN JURIC
Ivan Juric’s career was made of ups and downs before his last two seasons at Hellas Verona, where he truly blossomed. In his first year, Juric took a newly-promoted Verona side to the sensational 9th place, while despite lack of serious investments, he finished 10th last term. His dynamic and very physical style makes him potentially a perfect fit for the current Torino team, which despite the recent struggles, has enough quality to challenge for a top 10 finish.
During his two years at Verona, Juric managed to insert a very aggressive and attacking style as well as creating a very united group, something that Torino needed dearly in recent years. After their second defeat in a row against Fiorentina, Juric vented his frustration about the club’s transfer strategy, so Torino signed three players in the last two days of the summer transfer window.
CAPTAIN – ANDREA BELOTTI
Andrea Belotti’s 13 goals were arguably the main reason why Torino kept their place in Serie A last term. The Granata looked all over the place under Marco Giampaolo and although they improved slightly under Davide Nicola, a case can be made that Il Gallo single-handedly saved them. Despite this, 2020-21 was the worst out of the last three campaigns for Belotti in terms of goals, so the feeling is the Torino talisman can do even better.
Fresh from Italy’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2020, Belotti is expected to rediscover his mojo individually and collectively. However, negotiations for a new contract are in place and it remains to be seen if Il Gallo will be willing to extend his expiring contract and if that could have an impact on his performance.
PLAYER TO WATCH – WILFRIED SINGO
Wilfried Singo was one of the few players to live up to expectations last term. In all honesty, there weren’t even expectations on the Ivory Coast international who had made his senior Torino debut in 2019.
Last term, the 20-year-old scored one goal and delivered three assists in 28 Serie A appearances and his runs up and down the right flank were one of the few nice things Torino fans could witness. This time around, he will have to deal with expectations for the first time in his career, but working under a coach like Juric could be just what he needs to make a further step forward.