Newly promoted Venezia welcomes Torino to the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Friday evening in a Serie A matchup that pits the Lagunari against their former coach, Paolo Vanoli.
Venezia, back in Italy’s top flight after a two-year absence, has struggled to find their footing in the early stages of the season. With just one point from their first two matches and an early exit from the Coppa Italia, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side is eager to secure their first win of the campaign.
Torino, on the other hand, has made an impressive start under Vanoli’s guidance. The Granata remain unbeaten in Serie A, having drawn with AC Milan and defeated Atalanta, while also progressing in the Coppa Italia.
The match presents an intriguing tactical battle, as Vanoli returns to face the club he led to promotion just months ago. Venezia will look to leverage their strong home record from last season’s Serie B campaign, where they lost only three times at the Penzo.
Team News
Both teams have injury concerns to contend with. Venezia’s top scorer from last season, Joel Pohjanpalo, may return to the squad but is unlikely to start. Torino will be without key players Nikola Vlasic and Perr Schuurs due to injuries.
The clash also carries historical significance, as Venezia is unbeaten in their last five Serie A matches against Torino, a streak dating back 25 years. However, Torino’s recent form and the momentum they carry into this fixture make them formidable opponents.
As the final match before the international break, both teams will be eager to end this early phase of the season on a high note. With Venezia seeking their first win and Torino aiming to maintain their unbeaten record, fans can expect an engaging and potentially high-stakes encounter on the shores of the Venetian lagoon.
Expected Starting XIs
Venezia: Joronen; Altare, Idzes, Sverko; Candela, Duncan, Nicolussi Caviglia, Zampano; Oristanio, Ellertsson; Gytkjaer
Torino: Milinkovic-Savic; Tameze, Coco, Masina; Lazaro, Ricci, Linetty, Ilic, Sosa; Adams, Zapata
