View from the Opposition: Torino

We spoke to Emanuele Pastorella, journalist for Torino CronacaQui, to get his thoughts on the final Serie A game of the season...

Torino host the Giallorossi at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Friday night, with kick-off at 20:45 CEST.

What are you expecting from Torino on Friday night?

"I expect Torino to play with a clear head and a desire to finish the season well, just like we saw in Verona when they played Hellas. Juric would love to finish the campaign with the satisfaction of beating a big side, something that they still have not managed to do this season.

"And then, of course, it is the last home game this term - the Granata will want to finish with a win to send their fans away happy."

What will be the tactical keys to the match, in your opinion?

"Torino have a pretty defined style, shaped in the image of their boss pretty much since the start of the campaign. Juric has changed the mentality of the group and they have improved with the passage of time.

"They seem a bit like a version of Verona, although they also have a lot of Atalanta about them too - but the style of those two coaches differs a bit from Juric in some ways.

"Torino will, as usual, play with their heads up and a desire to win the individual battles across the pitch."

Do you think there will be big changes from their last match?

"The 3-4-2-1 setup has been Juric's bread and butter this season, and I don't think that will be changed. Some of the personnel involved could, though: Vojvoda is not in the best shape so he could be replaced by Ansaldi. Belotti will no doubt start in attack but we will have to see how Brekalo is used, given the announcement this week that he will not stay at the club.

"Seck could play alongside Praet in midfield while Zima seems to have earned the coach's confidence in defence and could well replace Bremer, who won't play a further part this season.

"Berisha will be in goal, Izzo and Rodriguez will complete the defence, Lukic-Mandragora will be the double act in the middle of the park and Aina will cover on the right."

Torino seem to be a very solid outfit now - is there some disappointment around the team's fanbase about their position in the league though?

"Finishing in mid-table after two seasons in which the club was at real risk of getting relegated is a good step forward for the club. Torino deserve to feel satisfied with the season they have had; perhaps the only disappointment is the way they dropped off so badly between January and the start of April.

"At the start of 2022 there were dreams of qualifying for Europe, but now feet are back on the ground a bit more. So the regret will be over those eight games without a win, along with the poitns that have been dropped at the end of games along the way."

Which Roma player are you most fearful of?

"Abraham has shown that he is a great goalscorer, even though it's his first season in Italy. It would be easy to say him, but I will say Zalewski - I've been impressed by his quality and his personality, he's a very promising talent.

"What's more, he'll be going up against Aina on the Torino right - a player who has often shown he can be a bit of a liability defensively."

What is your prediction for the match?

"I expect that in Rome all the excitement is surrounding the Conference League final, something which may also affect some of the team selection decisions Mourinho will make.

"I am expecting Torino to be motivated and confident of securing a positive result to end a solid season on a good note.

"A goal from Belotti also seems very likely: his future may be in doubt but if he scores he will reach double figures for a seventh straight season. That is something only Paulo Pulici has ever done before at Torino."