4' min
Torino is preparing for a season of renewal under the guidance of Paolo Vanoli. After three years of ups and downs with Juric, President Urbano Cairo decided to change course, choosing a coach with clear and innovative ideas. The goal is to bring Torino back to competing at the highest levels, aiming for the European qualification that narrowly slipped away last season.
Ivan Juric left Torino after three seasons of mixed results. Last season, which ended in ninth place, saw the Granata almost clinch a spot in the Conference League. If Fiorentina had won the Conference League final against Olympiakos, Torino would have celebrated a return to Europe. However, this did not happen, and the missed qualification led Cairo to opt for a change in technical leadership.
Paolo Vanoli, born in 1972, was a defensive player. His natural position was left-back, but he could also adapt as a left midfielder. During his career, he played for several Serie A teams, including Verona and Fiorentina, but he achieved the greatest success with Parma, winning a Coppa Italia, a UEFA Cup, and an Italian Super Cup. His unforgettable goal in the UEFA Cup final against Marseille is a highlight. Vanoli also had brief stints abroad with Glasgow Rangers and Akratitos in Greece. His career started at Venezia, a club he later brought back to Serie A as a coach.
Vanoli began his coaching career at Domegliara in Serie D. He then joined the technical staff of the FIGC, working with youth teams. He was an assistant to Daniele Zoratto in the Under-16 and Under-17 teams, and then vice to Alessandro Pane in the Under-19 team. In 2015, he became the coach of the Under-19 team and was promoted the following year as assistant to Gian Piero Ventura in the senior national team. After an experience with Antonio Conte's staff at Chelsea, Vanoli also served as an assistant at Inter.
His first professional club coaching job came in 2021 with Spartak Moscow, where he won the Russian Cup. However, the war in Ukraine led him not to renew his contract. In 2022, he took on the challenge of managing Venezia, earning promotion to Serie A. Now, his journey continues on the Torino bench.
The summer transfer window saw Torino involved in several operations. The most painful departure was Alessandro Buongiorno to Napoli. Several names are being considered as replacements, including Milan's Simic, though Anderlecht seems to be leading the race, and Idzes, who Vanoli knows well from coaching at Venezia. From Las Palmas, they acquired Saul Coco, a defender for the Equatorial Guinea national team.
There are uncertainties about the futures of Ilic and Sanabria. Ilic has been requested by Zenit but is present at the training camp in Pinzolo. Sanabria has attracted interest from MLS and Galatasaray. Possible replacements include Tessman, the forbidden dream of Venezia, and Che Adams, a free agent formerly with Southampton but also followed by Wolverhampton.
Torino is holding their pre-season training in Pinzolo, where they have played four friendlies against Virtus Verona, Cremonese, Lyon, and Metz. These tests have been crucial for Vanoli to get to know the team better and fine-tune the game mechanisms ahead of the season start. Before their Serie A debut against Milan, they will face Cosenza in the Coppa Italia, an important test to gauge the players' physical and mental condition.
The start of the season will not be easy for Torino. After their debut against Milan, they will face Europa League champions Atalanta in the second round. The third round will see Vanoli's personal derby against his former club, Venezia. Following this, Torino will play against Lecce, Verona, Lazio, and Inter. November 10 is marked in red on the calendar: Torino will face Juventus in the first Derby della Mole of the season at Allianz Stadium. The return match will be on January 12 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Vanoli has shown adaptability to the characteristics of his squad. Although he has used different formations throughout his career, the 3-5-2 seems to be his preferred choice. Here's how Torino might line up in the upcoming season:
TORINO (3-5-2):
Milinkovic-Savic; Coco, Schuurs, Sazonov; Bellanova, Ricci, Ilic, Vlasic, Lazaro; Sanabria, Zapata. Coach: Vanoli
Torino has all the potential to aim for European qualification. Vanoli's experience, combined with a quality squad, could see the Granata compete for the top seven spots in the league. However, much will depend on how well the new signings adapt and the team's ability to maintain consistent performance throughout the season. Vanoli's high pressing and attacking football could be a valuable weapon to surprise opponents.
In conclusion, the upcoming season represents a great opportunity for Torino. Vanoli's arrival marks a new chapter in the club's history, with the goal of bringing the Granata back to Europe and providing new excitement for the fans. All that's left is to wait for August 17 to see Vanoli's new creation in action against Milan and start dreaming big.
