Giampiero Ventura has urged fans to steer his Torino closer to qualification when they face HJK Helsinki tomorrow night in the Europa League.
Torino are second in Group B only through inferior goal difference to Club Brugge and a victory would be a step closer to the Last 32.
Giampiero Ventura has urged fans to steer his Torino closer to qualification when they face HJK Helsinki tomorrow night in the Europa League.
Torino are second in Group B only through inferior goal difference to Club Brugge and a victory would be a step closer to the Last 32.
Ventura reckons that the atmosphere generated by supporters at the Olimpico could be decisive for his men.
“It would be great to see a full house once again tomorrow, just like the game against Brommapojkarna in August,” the Coach has told reporters today.
“If we won tomorrow it would be a huge statement in terms of qualifying. And obviously if we did it all together, it would be even better.
“I think that qualification to the next round is at reach because we have drawn at Club Brugge, which is the strongest side in the group.
“So if we manage to earn six points from the next two games against HJK, I am sure that we’ve great chances to qualify.”
Ventura hinted at a complete revolution in his starting XI tomorrow night against the Finnish side.
“I don’t think we can talk about rotation to be honest. We are rather talking about two different teams that play two matches.”
The Granata manager also confirmed Daniele Padelli’s presence between the sticks, having fallen behind Jean-Francois Gillet.
“Padelli will be back in goal tomorrow. He must become again that player that once was, that is an important player for Torino.
“He must become again that player that earned himself a spot with the national team.
“Obviously there are peculiar moments in everyone’s life – once you overcome those, everyone will earn back what they deserve.”
Torino has the joint best defence in the Europa League along with five other teams, but Ventura expects some spark from his men up front.
“Our problem so far has never been our opponent, but rather how strong we are and how much desire we have got to do well.
“We haven’t scored much so far, but we have created a lot. Obviously I prefer to create 10 chances and score two goals, rather than shooting twice and scoring two goals.
“I certainly expect some improvement from Amauri in comparison to his performance against Udinese last Sunday.
“If he steps up a notch, I think that scoring will just be a natural consequence.”
Ventura also thinks that Torino’s European challenge is helping his new imports to adapt quicker to life in Serie A.
“In comparison to Serie A, in Europe every team plays to win because in Italy sometimes there are games which are just too tactical.
“While in Europe I can see that there’s more will to play and score goals.
“But on the other hand, for a youngster who arrives here from abroad it’s easier to understand what to do on the pitch in Europe rather than in Serie A.
“Maksimovic for instance needed some time to adapt but then he showed that he can become an important player.
“In fact, I am sure that he could be one of the major players on the transfer market next summer along with Gaston Silva and Jansson if they continue to work well.”