Live TMW
1.15pm – Torino is looking for a prompt redemption after the elimination from the Italian Cup, the Granata first in the standings (since last night in the company of Milan) host Lazio and want to continue dreaming, with another full house at the Olimpico Grande Torino to push the team in the lunch match against Lazio. Soon, the technician Paolo Vanoli will present the match against the Biancocelesti. Follow the live text on Tuttomercatoweb.com, the press conference is scheduled to start at 1.30pm.
1.39pm – Vanoli’s press conference begins
Are you ready for Lazio?
“Toro must always be ready. They are doing very well, they demonstrated it in the Europa League and have important offensive potential”
Is performance always the priority?
“It always will be, to achieve something important it depends on performance. Then there is the caliber of the opponent, you have to know how to do everything”
Have you reread the match against Empoli?
“Tomorrow is one more reason to show that we’re not making mistakes again. It was a disappointment, we wanted to pass, but we need it to be transformed into positive energy. These races give the opportunity to understand where to improve, I’m convinced that we’ll take a step forward We need to grow up.”
Did you understand the errors?
“In the first half against Empoli we lacked speed with the ball, it also happened against Lecce: if you want to play the game, you have to improve your interpretation with the ball. I’m working hard on this thing, it’s not easy to improve but we’re working on it”
Have you thought about corrective measures?
“They are different matches between Empoli and Lazio. The principle is that you have to improve, regardless of the opponent: technical quality must never be lacking”
Will Vojvoda play on Tavares and Zaccagni’s side?
“Lazio also have fast players on the right. Anyone who goes on the pitch must know this: I’m lucky enough to have a defenders who know how to defend against these players, we demonstrated it with Leao above all and Loftus-Cheek. It’s a question of phase defensive, it’s never an individual matter. Vojvoda is fine, everyone is fine.”
Have you heard from Cairo recently?
“Do you think I don’t feel my president? Absolutely, coming to the stadium isn’t my job… I told the players, they should be proud because we gave something to our fans, who are the most important part. But the path is long, we will find difficulties and we will have to overcome them together with these magnificent fans”
What did you think when looking at the ranking?
“I don’t watch it… I make my fans watch it. The best part is what we are giving: we are humble, the road is long and after Lazio we will have Inter to see what level we are at. I’m happy when the fans are happy, I have to look forward because the championship doesn’t end tomorrow”
How is the incorporation of Borna Sosa going? In the cup he was the arm in the three-man defence
“This is modern football, everyone has to play certain roles. I needed a left-footed player because he makes quicker plays, the right-footed player tends to come back and close the field. And then the evolution of the five-man system passes through the arms: if they have quality as full-backs, they know how to create superiority in the attacking phase. My aim against Empoli was to gain an arm who could fit in. It’s easy to say, but Sosa can do that in the future In defense we have a department that we need to work on.”
Ricci is second in the world for ball possession under pressure: is he indispensable for Toro?
“Whoever is capable of playing under pressure is indispensable. It’s a message for the youth sector, they must learn what real football is: one doesn’t open control because he sees the opponent and becomes agitated. Everyone would like midfielders who know how to manage the ball like Ricci, we are lucky to have them”
Going back, would you repeat all the choices you made against Empoli?
“If my grandmother had had wheels, it would be a wheelbarrow…The joke isn’t mine, but I answer like this. I hardly look back, I look forward and the next race is the most important”
Is Coco-Maripan-Masina the cornerstone on which to build the defense?
“Now that we are complete, I want to understand the most functional characteristics of the game system and the team. I have a complete department, now it’s my turn. There were the national teams immediately, now we had three matches in one week, but in perspective we will work on the synchronization of the department. Maripan is the priority. I also have to look at the players who have arrived and their history needs must be placed at a higher level from a physical point of view”
How important is it to have Sanabria in trust? Is keeping all attackers on the rope working?
“You are the ones who questioned Sanabria…Everyone is showing that they want a starting shirt, it’s up to me to put them in a position to do well. The attackers are doing well, it’s lucky”
What challenge do you expect with Baroni?
“Let’s hope he doesn’t play the joke… With him I won a championship in Verona, from B to A, and he was an expert player. That year he scored 5-6 goals, I wondered how he did it since he was slow…( laughs, editor’s note).
With Empoli, can it be said that those who played less wasted an opportunity?
“No, I don’t think so…But they must be aware that they have to give more”
How is Vlasic?
“He will be called up. He is a player we are waiting for, he has important qualities. He could have been ready for the cup, but I want to look ahead and therefore I made him do one last job even if he was angry. I prefer to have angry players…When I bring someone , it means he’s ready to play. I like him as an attacking midfielder, he can play between the lines and has technique and intensity, he needs to learn positioning, he can play not only 3+1 but also 3+2, he’s a modern player and flexible. Due to his desire to do things, he sometimes loses his positioning, he always tries to get into the heart of the game: sometimes it’s the lack of patience that those who get nervous if they don’t touch the ball, a bit like Ilic can also do other roles, as he has done in the past”
And Schuurs?
“It’s a process, it takes time and patience. We shouldn’t put pressure on him, it happens that we want to speed up his recovery. We are close to him, these people show him affection and it’s important for him. It still takes a while. How much? Give times means putting a cross on myself…I’m not the one to say how long, is he having a trial? I can tell…You just have to be patient, he’s doing well and he’s reacting well his return is a gift. The club has stolen him from important teams, we are waiting for him like Vlasic”
2.01 pm – Vanoli’s press conference ends