Paolo Vanoli and his new team, Torino, are gearing up for their Serie A debut tomorrow evening at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium. The granata coach has urged his players to face the challenge head-on: “I’ve told the boys to play with courage”, he revealed as he prepares for his first match in charge.
Vanoli is aware that facing a strong Milan side, constructed to compete for the Scudetto, will not be easy. He adds, “We need to be very attentive. Right now, I want a solid performance from my team. We need to deliver a display that will lay the groundwork for our growth.”
As Torino heads into this season, Vanoli believes they are where he expected in terms of development. “We are in a process of growth”, he explained. “As with any project, there will be ups and downs. I won’t get scared; I understand that it takes patience, even for myself.”
In addition to courage and performance, Vanoli emphasized the importance of cohesion, stating, “We need to become a team and be more effective. We saw some signs of that in our recent Coppa Italia match, but after three years of change, we can’t transform everything in just a few weeks. My focus is on building a team and establishing a clear playing style. I don’t want to put pressure on my Torino; I’m looking for that incremental progress.”
On August 15, Torino announced the signing of Croatian left-back Borna Sosa from Ajax. Sosa has arrived in Turin and is undergoing his medical exams. “We are very happy to have Borna Sosa; he’s a player we were looking for,” Vanoli noted. He sees Sosa as a key addition that will enhance the squad’s quality.
Looking at the transfer market, Vanoli shared his thoughts: “We know we’re not complete yet, but I prefer to be patient and target the right players instead of rushing. I want to build a squad of 22 players.”
As he stands on the brink of his debut as a Serie A manager, Vanoli is feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. “There’s always a first time for everyone. I’ve earned this debut after a long journey through coaching. There will be some nerves, but once the whistle blows, it will all fade away.”
Finally, Vanoli updated fans on player injuries: “Schuurs’ surgery in London went well, and he will have a follow-up soon. It’s not as serious as we expected, but it’s still a long recovery. Vlasic has begun jogging on the pitch at moderate intensity. He’s eager to play soon, but I’d prefer to wait another week to ensure he’s fully fit for the whole season. We cannot afford any more mistakes with him.”
As Torino prepares for their opening match, the anticipation is building for a new chapter under Vanoli’s management, with an aim to steadily progress as a team. The granata will look to kick off their campaign with a positive result against a formidable opponent. Their next home fixture will see them host Atalanta in what promises to be an exciting encounter.