Football Season Guide

President Cairo has owned Torino for the past 2 decades but, while he assured the club permanence in Serie A, he has been unable to turn them into a top team. Despite coaches and supporters' exceptations and requests, Torino hardly ever fight for more than a top 10 finish. Torino started last season well but injuries to key players heavily affected them as they hardly won any games between the end of September and late January. With a squad strengthened in the winter, they reached the top 10 come the end of April. Finished 11th, though, picking up just 1 point in the last 5 weeks. Coach Paolo Vanoli was not given a second chance and, at the end of the season, he was let go and replaced by Marco Baroni, who had a disastrous experience at Lazio but did miracles at Hellas Verona when the management sold all his regulars and provided him with an array of unknown entities. Torino transfer campaign was characterised by the departure of two key players. First of all, key goalie Milinkovic-Savic was sold to Napoli and he will be replaced as the new n.1 by not-so-experienced 25-year-old Israel, arriving from Sporting Lisboa. In defence, centre-back Ismajli joined in from Empoli and he could be battling for a starting place, with key Schuurs expected back from injury. On the other hand, back-up Walukiewicz, who also acted at right-back, was let go. Full-backs Pedersen and Biraghi saw their loans made permanent while Sosa returned to his parent club. The midfield lost key Ricci to Milan, while often-starting Linetty was released. Baroni will have to make do with Anjorin, whose last season at Empoli was plagued by injuries, and Ilic, who did not enjoy Vanoli's favours, while Casadei has become pivotal for the team. The attack was the area that most needed strengthening following last season and striker Simeone arrived from Napoli, while Zapata will be back from injury. Sanabria could thus quit. On the wings, with Elmas and Karamoh gone, Aboukhlal and Ngonge could be given relevant playing time but are still hunting for more attacking players.