Torino’s coach Paolo Vanoli addressed the media ahead of their upcoming match against Hellas Verona, sharing insights on the team’s defensive strategies and goals for the season.
Vanoli emphasized the importance of team coordination in defence: “When defending, it must be done as a team. Sometimes we lack synchronization in deciding when to press high or wait, as our defensive approach differs from previous years. It requires a lot of work from the defensive line, especially since we’ve changed many players back there.”
When asked about the significance of potentially being at the top of the table for a night, Vanoli responded, “We’ve thought about it just as we’ve considered what Lecce could offer us. But I don’t want it to distract us from our path: to achieve important goals, we must grow, which will lead to results. Winning and playing poorly means that when you lose, you won’t have the foundation to start again.”
Reflecting on comments made by Gotti after a match against Torino, Vanoli noted, “Gotti said they played a great game against the league leaders: it should be a pleasant statement, but we also need to understand how others perceive us. Everyone needs to do more. It’s difficult to stay at the top; this is another significant step to face. We focus on our performance, striving to do better.”
Regarding player development, particularly Antonio Sanabria’s situation following Che Adams’ rise, Vanoli stated, “Sanabria needs to learn to become an important player. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it: I asked this club for four important forwards because it was crucial for me. With Karamoh, the quartet will have their opportunities. Tomorrow I’ll decide; everyone must be ready because we need everyone.”
On setting goals for the season and potential European ambitions, Vanoli explained his cautious approach: “I’ve always been cautious… I waited for the market to close to understand the characteristics of the new arrivals; the market makes a difference. I’m happy with those who have come in, but they need to be integrated into a context. I said I dream; I came here with an objective but prefer actions over words. I talk about dreaming because when I work, I dream together with the fans, the team, and the club. But it all comes through hard work. As of today, I’m neither pessimistic nor optimistic; the goal is growth.”
