Torino boss Giampiero Ventura has revealed that his team’s main objective is to continue their Europa League campaign and confirmed that they will be looking to secure a win over FC Copenhagen on Thursday.
The Granata will be hosting the Lions in Turin and the tactician is aware that his squad will have to limit their mistakes against the visitors, as the Danish club are currently coming off of a victory in their previous group stage meeting with HJK Helsinki and were able to trouble rivals Juventus in the Champions League last season.
Ventura spoke during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday about the game with Copenhagen and his mission to keep Torino in the Europa League for this campaign and future ones to come, while also commenting on which players he may include in his squad.
“We do not have an ultimate goal, but we want to raise the bar and keep competing in the Europa League,” said the 66-year-old.
“In the preliminary rounds there was a great curiosity, the full stadium in our win over Bromma has been a great stimulus for us.
“We have the ability to earn a victory over Copenhagen, but the fact that they played a part in Juventus’ elimination from the Champions League last season means that we have no room for mistakes.
“This is a delicate match, they have more quality after their Helsinki match and a win at home would lay the ground work in order to make it to the next round. This, for us, is an even greater incentive.
“There will be changes in the team tomorrow, we cannot have a complete turn-over like we did against Club Brugge.
“I hope Cesare Bovo will be available, he’s been suffering from a slight annoyance. This has put us in some trouble, but, he’ll have to put in extra effort due to his rest period.
“The young people in this team have value, which is a good sign for Torino, and we will be able to alternate them in the squad.
“Josef Martinez is young and still adapting, he has enthusiasm even with players in front of him in the picking, while Pontus Jansson could make an appearance tomorrow.”
