Hellas Verona coach Andrea Mandorlini admitted that he will rotate his squad for their Coppa Italia fixture away at Juventus on January 15 in the Round of 16.
The 54-year-old revealed that striker Luca Toni will not start the game but the Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael will be back after he was replaced by Francesco Benussi in the Gialloblu’s four most recent Serie A fixtures.
“It’s a straight elimination game then we have another game against them [Juventus] in the league that will conclude the first half of the season,” said Mandorlini in his press conference.
“First we have to think about the Round of 16 game, they will make changes and so will we, I think it’s the right thing to do.”
“This will my approach to the game, for example, Luca Toni will not play from the start and we’ll leave him to rest.
“Rafael? He will return to starting in goal.
“I would like to give him back his starting place in the second game we have in Turin, then we’ll revaluate everything for the second half of the season.”
Mandorlini also spoke about how he might look to use attacking midfielder Javier Saviola against the Bianconeri.
“What he has been doing has not shocked me, I knew he was a great player when he plays in a certain way.”
“This does not affect my way of saying things, he’s a great guy, there weren’t any problems with him before and even more there are none at the moment.”
The Hellas coach also addressed transfer rumours surrounding his team following reports that the attacker Fernandinho had signed on loan from Gremio.
“Fernandinho? I don’t speak about players who aren’t here, I’ve never seen him and I’m waiting to judge him.”
“[Guillermo] Rodriguez to Bologna? They’re rumours.
“You should ask these questions to sporting director Sean Sogliano.
“He has integrated himself into Verona and done a good job.”
