Baroni on Torino-Como: “We challenge a big team”

Finding continuity of play and results, despite the absences and the value of the opponents. After six games in a row without defeat, after a pause in the championship which brought with it injuries to Giovanni Simeone – four goals so far – and, breaking news, also the unavailability of Ardian Ismajli, who against Juve had been among the best but had to stop due to a muscle strain in his right thigh, Torino coach Marco Baroni plans tomorrow evening’s match against Como (6.30 pm, Olimpico Grande Torino) without hiding the difficulties, but also highlighting the values of the granata group. “We need our fans, the drive, the warmth and passion of our people – explains the coach -, but as I have been saying since the beginning of the season, the team must always take the first step. It will be a complicated match, we will find an opponent who plays good football, led by a very good coach who we will soon see on one of the best benches in Europe. We will have to bring great attention and pressure, we must do it because Como has important dribbling qualities, compactness and dedication. It is a team that has carried out a project: Fabregas he is now in his third year on that bench, he won a promotion and a stay in Serie A. Last year they scored a lot of points, they went beyond their target and are making great investments, the team project is strong. We have to think that we will play against a great team. At Como you have to take the ball away, but also make sure not to give it back to them immediately.”

the choices

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Baroni is making the final assessments on the players and on the structure to give to the team. With Cristiano Biraghi back in the group after a calf strain that limited him in recent days, with Saul Coco who “did not play with Equatorial Guinea due to a problem with a patellar tendon, but is now back”, the coach will take all the time to give shape to the 11 starters. “The team has done well lately, we are facing a difficult opponent and I will try to provide as much certainty as possible. We are sorry for Simeone, he is an important reference, we hope he is out for a few games. In the meantime, we still have players who can replace him.” Starting with Che Adams, who returned after the triumphant qualification for the World Cup with Scotland. “He’s fine, he received an important award in the national team and now he knows that he has to go through his performances with us, but on this level he is growing greatly and will be an important reference, as he has been up to now. They are all starters for me. He then has an entire championship behind him and has the chance to express himself at his best.”

simeon

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Simeone’s absence offers the possibility of playing attacking profiles that have been seen less so far. “Aboukhlal is back and is doing well, he offers a double solution as a winger or second striker. Compared to Zapata he has to move differently, he has to stay a little lower than a striker who is better able to play with his back to goal, but both are players who are doing well and are fully available. Duvan is getting better and better, he certainly needs the pitch and minutes but I have to include him in the evaluations of the other attackers too. Whoever I see as more ready, starts. Duvan is however a very reliable player and I hope he finds more and more space.”