Giampiero Ventura says his Torino side cannot be nervous when they take on Athletic Club tomorrow evening.
The Granata will welcome the men from Bilbao in the Europa League Last 32, and while the Coach says he’s happy to have made it this far, he warns his team not to approach the match with trepidation.
“They have more experience in Europe, and their position [13th] in the League doesn’t mean much.
Giampiero Ventura says his Torino side cannot be nervous when they take on Athletic Club tomorrow evening.
The Granata will welcome the men from Bilbao in the Europa League Last 32, and while the Coach says he’s happy to have made it this far, he warns his team not to approach the match with trepidation.
“They have more experience in Europe, and their position [13th] in the League doesn’t mean much.
“If we play well then there’s nothing we can’t achieve, but we must be careful, because if we make mistakes we’ll pay dearly.
“We have our own identity and ideas and we’ll try to progress, leaving their strengths aside a lot depends on us.
“A lot of our team don’t have a great deal of European experience, but what counts is to think and play as a team.
“The players who have more experience must pass that on to those who have less.
“The fact that the stadium is sold out tomorrow means that we’ve brought back the connection between the fans and the team.
“We’re very proud to be here. The risk attached to these games is is to play them with some nerves, and we have to avoid that.”
The former Sampdoria Coach also discussed the differences he sees between playing in Serie A, and European competition.
“In Italy, tactics are very important, whereas in Spain and England everyone plays the same way.
“They have a very aggressive approach, however. European teams always try to attack, whereas here you often find teams that look to close up and defend.”
Meanwhile, Ventura has named the squad which will take on Athletic Club tomorrow evening, with January signing Maxi Lopez among the names.
Torino squad to face Athletic Club: Castelazzi, Padelli, Bovo, Darmian, Glik, Jansson, Maksimovic, Masiello, Molinaro, Moretti, Silva, Benassi, El Kaddouri, Farnerud, Gazzi, Vives, Amauri, Maxi Lopez, Martinez, Quagliarella.