It was an exciting day for Torino as president Urbano Cairo dived deep into the heart of the club. He started with a visit to the Filadelfia training ground, where he met the first-team coach Vanoli and the players. Later, he enjoyed a thrilling Primavera match where Torino defeated Milan 5-1 in the first semifinal of the Memorial Mamma e Papà Cairo in Quattordio.
After the match, Cairo spoke to reporters about the current state of the club. Looking ahead to their upcoming Coppa Italia match against Cosenza, he expressed optimism. “I have good feelings about it,” he said. Reflecting on the team’s growth under Vanoli’s new approach, Cairo noted, “From the first matches to the recent one in Metz, I have seen the team improve, despite changing our style of play. We still have some injured players like Vlasic, Schuurs, and Gineitis, but I remain positive.”
During the summer training camp in Pinzolo, Cairo emphasized his desire to raise the team’s standards. He reiterated that the goal is to surpass last season’s performance and improve on their ninth-place finish in the league. “Raising the bar means wanting to do better,” he added.
Cairo highlighted the team’s improvement through recent friendly matches against Lyon and Metz. “I’ve seen good progress in terms of adapting to the new playing style brought by Vanoli,” he mentioned. He praised new signings Coco and Adams, saying their performances have been promising.
When it comes to transfers, Cairo confirmed that Torino is actively looking to add depth to their squad, particularly a left winger and a defender. “We want to strengthen the left side, even though Lazaro had a strong preseason. The coach is pleased with him, but we need another player in that position,” explained Cairo. In defense, he noted that they are looking for at least one more player, considering the possibility of Schuurs returning from injury.
Cairo also addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding player Robin Gosens, stating, “I know that Gosens is contemplating his options. He hasn’t confirmed his willingness to join Torino. If a player isn’t fully convinced of a transfer, it’s best not to pursue it.”
The day’s highlight came from the Primavera team, which overwhelmed Milan, with notable performances from young striker Njie, who scored a hat-trick. Cairo couldn’t hide his excitement for Njie’s potential, stating, “If he understands his capabilities and stays humble, he will be an asset to the team. I told him in Pinzolo, if you don’t become a player, I will find you wherever you are.”
Cairo also praised the youth academy’s progress, crediting director Ludergnani for his important work. He expressed enthusiasm about several promising talents, including Savva, Dellavalle, and Ciammaglichella, highlighting that the future looks bright for Torino. “I am very satisfied with our young players,” he concluded, signaling a hopeful outlook for the club.
