Torino coach Paolo Vanoli addressed the media ahead of their upcoming match against Fiorentina, reflecting on the team’s performance in the recent derby against Juventus and discussing various aspects of the club’s current situation.
When asked if the performance against Juventus would be sufficient for the match in Florence, Vanoli emphasized the need for continuous improvement: “Every match has its own story, you always need something more to improve. I always see it this way, I go to the field and never think of being content. The derby showed that we have spirit, now we need consistency.”
Addressing the early kick-off time, Vanoli detailed the team’s preparation: “It’s a strange time, but we’ve gotten used to it. With the staff, we always look for new solutions: when playing at these times, breakfast becomes almost lunch. With the nutritionist, we modify and understand what we need.”
Regarding team selection due to injuries and suspensions, Vanoli expressed confidence in his squad depth: “I work a lot with the whole squad: if Pedersen isn’t there, Dembele plays. I know what hunger and desire he has. If I start with Gineitis or with Tameze, I know what they can give me. I don’t have formation problems.”
On the topic of the transfer market, Vanoli was clear about his focus: “I want to close this chapter. I’ve already said what I need, now I’m waiting for the club. I can’t be distracted by these situations, the league table doesn’t allow me to: we need to put in important performances, I’m focused on this.”
When asked about the possibility of the team’s position worsening, Vanoli acknowledged the importance of securing safety quickly: “The table says it, you’re right. I’m the first one here who said we need to quickly reach the first micro-objective which is safety points. For a month now, the team has been getting closer to my character and I understand this too, they are understanding the importance of quickly reaching these points.”
Regarding the club president’s visit to the training ground, Vanoli stated: “When I say unite, I like that the president comes to the field: it’s on the battlefield that we can confront the problems that are not just the transfer market, it’s also understanding what went wrong.”
Finally, on the challenge of facing Fiorentina’s physically stronger players, Vanoli noted: “It’s another aspect of when you build teams: today structure is important, but there isn’t just that. And you need to know football, you can be fast but what commands is the ball, the last pass, understanding space.”
