Torino are set to entertain Finnish champions HJK Helsinki at the Stadio Olimpico de Torino in the Europa League group stage on Thursday night.
After 12 seasons, The Granata have finally ventured into Europe and will look to continue their decent start to this year’s European campaign with a win over bottom of the table HJK.
The Finnish side, on the other hand, are likely to be in a celebratory mood, having been crowned Veikkausliiga champions. But all is not well in Europe as they lost their first two games 2-0 and 3-0 to Copenhagen and Club Brugge, respectively.
And while the Italian side have suffered several setbacks in Serie A this year, they have managed to collect four points from their opening two games in Europe, and are sitting second behind Club Brugge in Group B on goal difference. On the downside though, Toro have found goals hard to come by this season, scoring just five times in Serie A this season.
Despite this, Giampiero Ventura’s men have recorded a massive 20 shots, both on and off target in Europe alone, and are yet to concede in all their European contests this year, including four qualification matches.
This fixture, in many ways, is a mountain to climb for the away side, who have won 27 Finnish titles in their entire history, as Torino have won both their previous matches against Finnish clubs without conceding, while HJK have lost all four of their past games against Italian teams without scoring. Moreover, in 18 meetings in UEFA club competitions, only once has a Finnish outfit beaten Italian opponents.
As far as injuries are concerned, Torino’s centre forward Paolo Barreto is struggling with a thigh injury but could make the substitutes bench.
The Finnish side have striker Aristide Bance and winger Roni Porokara doubtful, while goalkeeper Michael Tornes and winger Nikolai Alho have been ruled out with knee and ankle injuries, respectively.
Expected Starting XIs
Torino: Gillet, Maksimovic, Moretti, Glik, Peres, Vives, Benassi, El Kaddouri, Darmian, Amauri, Quagliarella,
HJK Helsinki: Doblas, Sorsa, Heikkinen, Baah, Veli Lampi, Annan, Vaeyrynen, Tainio, Robin Lod, Savage, Zeneli
