Torino coach Ignazio Abate has confirmed that Che Adams will miss Monday’s match against Roma, while Giovanni Simeone remains doubtful because of a back problem.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Abate praised Gian Piero Gasperini’s influence on modern football and described Roma as a strong team enjoying an excellent moment.
The Torino coach nevertheless believes his players possess the weapons required to trouble the Giallorossi at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Below are Abate’s comments in full.
What does tomorrow’s match represent?
“It is an excellent test for us. We must continue to develop, and the journey is still long.
“The victory in Florence gave us freedom and confidence. The players believe in what they are doing, but there is still a great deal to improve.
“Tomorrow, we face a strong team enjoying a brilliant moment and possessing great individuals. We are ready after a positive week.”
Torino recorded their first league victory of the season against Fiorentina, while Roma have collected nine points from their opening three Serie A matches.
Adams ruled out and Simeone doubtful
“The new arrivals are settling in very well. They have increased their understanding and improved their physical condition.
“Coco has recovered, but Adams has stopped because of an adductor problem, while Simeone is doubtful because of a back issue.”
Adams’ absence is a significant blow after he scored twice against Fiorentina. The Scotland international has also recently been linked with a possible future move to Roma.
The latest developments should be considered an update to our earlier Torino injury report before the Roma match.
Will Torino defend with three or four players?
“You must defend with ten players and attack with ten.
“Tomorrow, we need a high-level defensive performance. We need the determination not to concede and must think negatively during the defensive phase.
“We will continue building upon the positive signs we saw in Florence.”
How will the injuries affect Torino’s attack?
“We will make our assessments.
“We have another two strikers in the squad, or perhaps we will begin without a recognized striker.
“We will see. We will wait until tomorrow morning to understand how Simeone is feeling.
“We have alternatives and will make the best of necessity.”
How is Zapata progressing?
“He trained well throughout the entire week, and his knee provided positive responses.”
Zapata could therefore return to the squad and offer Abate an experienced attacking option from the bench.
What has impressed Abate about Gasperini?
“He has been a revolutionary figure in modern football because of how his teams press, defend man-to-man, play vertically and attack the penalty area with many players.
“He revolutionized modern football, and his career speaks for itself.
“Tomorrow is not a final examination for us. It is another step along a journey that began only a few months ago.
“It is a difficult stage, but we also have our own weapons to use.”
Gasperini provided Roma’s latest selection and fitness updates during his complete pre-match press conference.
Abate on Vlašić and Simeone
“The year of the World Cup is unusual because preseason preparations are interrupted.
“Vlašić is a great professional. He worked alone at home and arrived in excellent condition.
“He played a very good match in Florence, and I have seen him improve even further this week.
“Simeone completed a preseason of the highest level. Perhaps he needed time to overcome the physical workload.
“He looks good to me, and we hope to recover him for tomorrow.”
Is Ricardo Rodríguez ready to play?
“He trained throughout the week.
“When you sign players who have not completed preseason, they must change their intensity and methods.
“They need time to absorb the workload; otherwise, it becomes a risk.
“He certainly has some minutes in his legs.”
Why did Luongo play with the Primavera?
“He and Carrascosa are both around the first team, but they need minutes and experience.
“It is right that they play.”
Is Kulenović fit?
“Yes,” Abate replied with a laugh.
How is Torino’s new group developing?
“I am pleased with that question because these aspects matter greatly to me.
“I must say that I am even more in love with these players. They completed an important week, not only from a working perspective but also because of the energy and relationships being created.
“That is what makes the difference in a team sport.
“We must continue developing and working without lifting our heads too high.
“We won in Florence, but we have not achieved anything. We must keep working to discover our identity.”
Is Bragança better as a midfielder or deep-lying playmaker?
“He can play both roles.
“He possesses great football intelligence, understands how to connect and interpret the game and can dictate its tempo.
“Mandragora gives us presence and awareness in front of the defence, but I have alternatives.
“It is my responsibility to help them coexist. We need defensive balance, which depends upon many different factors, but that is what makes the difference.”
Can Mandragora, Fitz-Jim and Bragança play together?
“Yes, good players can always play together.
“Then there are different matches and different moments.
“In Florence, I saw a more solid team, and that depends upon many factors.”
What is Torino’s objective?
“To continue developing and construct the foundations for a positive future.
“When you change methods and add 11 or 12 new players during the summer, it is not easy to create a strong identity.
“We have added young and Italian players, and there are many positive aspects.”
How will Torino approach Roma tactically?
“I do not have any particular stories from my former coaches that I have repeated to the players.
“Matches against Gasperini have always been difficult. Roma will attempt to suffocate us, and we will not enjoy the control we had in Florence.
“Everything will depend upon how we manage possession.
“We will need quality to reverse the direction of the play because we cannot think only about playing on the counterattack.
“It will be a match similar to Monza, and I want to see different qualities compared with our performance against Monza.
“We have completed a week of quality and intensity.”
Abate discusses Belghali and Torino’s wing-backs
“Belghali must improve his physical endurance, but he trained well this week.
“Patterson is a right-back who has also played on the left.
“Belghali has also played on the left, but I believe he performs better on the right.
“Fortini has frequently played on the left, and I see him as more comfortable there, although it depends upon the match.
“I have four wing-backs, plus Aboukhlal, who provide me with alternatives.”
How versatile is Oristanio?
“I have also tried him as a central midfielder and behind the striker.
“He and Ilkhan have raised the level, and I am pleased.
“Ilkhan missed preseason but has spent the last 15 days working with his head down.
“The group is coming together extremely well.”
Abate: Torino can hurt Roma
“When I discuss the group’s identity, that must form the foundation of everything. Otherwise, you cannot build a house upon solid foundations.
“Tomorrow will be difficult, and Roma have extremely high ambitions, but we want to give our supporters something to celebrate.
“They will support us during a complicated match.
“We will need to suffer, but I want to see us manage the ball well because we can hurt Roma.”
The latest team news, predicted lineups, recent meetings and broadcast information are available in our complete Torino versus Roma preview.
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