Torino is banking on the skills of their new head coach, Paolo Vanoli, to drive a resurgence towards European competition after narrowly missing out on a Conference League spot last season. Vanoli, who previously made waves in Serie B with Venezia, is seen as a pivotal figure in the club’s ambitions.
During the summer transfer window, Torino made significant changes to their squad. Notably, they saw the departure of talented defender Buongiorno to Napoli, while Djidji and Ricardo Rodriguez left upon the expiration of their contracts. To reinforce the team, sporting director Vagnati has brought in Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco, who shone at Las Palmas last season, and Scottish striker Ché Adams, arriving on a free transfer from Southampton.
For fantasy football enthusiasts, the core structure of the Torino team remains relatively unchanged, making it easier to assess potential starters, bench options, penalty takers, and free-kick specialists. The club’s strategy is clear: Duvan Zapata, who netted 13 goals last season, will wear the captain’s armband and is expected to be a key contributor, provided he stays fit. His presence alongside Raoul Bellanova on the right flank adds further promise, as Bellanova had an impressive campaign with 7 assists and was among the top defenders for fantasy points in the previous season.
Torino has invested significantly, and Coco appears poised to fill the gap left by Buongiorno seamlessly. Ché Adams also has a solid track record; he scored 15 goals in the Championship last year and consistently approached double digits during his time in the Premier League.
In their anticipated 3-5-2 formation, Torino will look to field Milinkovic-Savic in goal, with Vojvoda, Coco, and Masina in defense. The midfield trio will feature Bellanova, Tameze, Ricci, Gineitis, and Lazaro, while the strike partnership will include Sanabria and Zapata. Key players to watch in terms of potential rotation are Gineitis or Vlasic with Sanabria and Ché Adams also vying for a starting spot. Regarding set pieces, the designated penalty takers are likely to be Sanabria, Zapata, and Vlasic, while Lazaro, Vlasic, and Ricci could handle free kicks.
With Vanoli at the helm and a promising squad, Torino is looking to press for European competition this season, and the anticipation amongst fans is palpable.
