Paulo Vitor Barreto de Souza, 16 appearances, 3 goals, vote 6
Another player
Toro have courted since Ventura arrived this despite chronic injury problems
that saw the former Bari man (another one) feature just eleven times in two
years for Udinese and go the same period without a goal. Given a rare start in
Udinese’s draw with Toro earlier in the season, he seemed light years away from
being the player who shone at Treviso and under Ventura in Puglia. Toro were
unperturbed and eventually acquired the aeroplane-fearing Brazilian in January
with the 27-year old proving a veritable enigma. On the positive side, fears of
recurrent injuries problems were dispelled – the striker missed just one match.
The early impressions were positive: Barreto’s quick feet, interesting link-up
play and hard work impressed. As the weeks rolled on his lack of confidence in
front of goal proved increasingly crippling and his scruffy effort in the win
over Napoli arrived in his tenth game for the club. After which, another two
opportunistic goals suggested the real Barreto was back only for him to fade in
the final weeks. My feeling is fatigue played a factor and given a healthy and
full pre-season we could see Barreto return to form in 2013-14. At times he needs
to be braver in challenges and impose himself on the game. A series of poor
misses – a penchant for snatching at chances – suggest he still needs to
rediscover his clinical touch.
Verdict: The only forward certain to feature
next season. Is the perfect second forward in Ventura’s counter-attacking
system, a position he may challenge with Cerci next year. Interesting to see if
he has the physicality and quality to play as a first striker.
Rolando Bianchi, 32 appearances, 11 goals, vote 6.5
The telenovela of
the season, Bianchi’s contractual situation dominated headlines and supporters
thoughts. The end result was predictable, a loveless end to an unhappy
marriage. I like Bianchi the man and in his five seasons with the club – a
large part as captain – he has demonstrated a love and respect for the shirt, a
sensitive understanding of Toro’s history and comported himself admirably. In
the non-Ventura years, he was the fulcrum of the side, a scorer of regular
goals for whom the side was constructed around. Never the quickest, but
technically valid and potent in the air, he carried the team during the first
few seasons back in Serie B. Enter Ventura in the summer of 2011 and Bianchi’s
importance to the team diminished. His static play and desire for crosses into
the box has never fitted with Ventura’s high pressing, speedy,
counter-attacking style. Last year a measly eight goals in Serie B demonstrated
that Bianchi was finding it tough. The club’s highest earner, he has been on
the verge of leaving during the past few transfer windows although Toro have
been reluctant to sell him to a direct rival. Any chance of a contract renewal
has never been realistic, partly because of his large salary, mainly because he
no longer fits the team’s system. I would like to thank Bianchi for his 77
goals and his contribution to the club but unlike my fellow Torino bloggers,
I’m not too sad about his departure. At the very top level, he’s had at the
most two prolific seasons and if the club are going to stick with Ventura it
makes sense to change. What worries me more is if the club have the ability to
bring in an upgrade.
Verdict: Bianchi enjoyed a Hollywood ending
with his goal against Catania and the ovation he deserved. 11 goals is also a
decent return. Cairo and Petrachi need to demonstrate they can bring in one or
two forwards of a higher quality. Good luck Rolly!
Jonathas de Jesus, 11 appearances, 2 goals, vote 6
Mmmmm. The jury is definitely out
on this one. Signed from Pescara in January where after a decent season in
Serie B with Brescia he stank the place out. Jonathas was something of a
leftfield January signing. Perhaps acquired with the intention of having a
targetman on the roster in anticipation of Bianchi’s departure, he is something
of a mystery. Two goals, an opportunistic winner against Lazio and a neatly
taken penalty at home to Napoli offered some positives. Only given one start,
the Brazilian’s substitute appearances ranged from the awkward and confusing to
effective. Not the quickest nor most technically comfortable, the club must
decide how much room for progress the 24-year has.
Verdict: Its 50-50 whether Toro decide to buy out his Pescara contact.
I’d definitely not be comfortable with the idea of him starting the season in
attack but have seen enough to be a little bit intrigued. Hard to judge only on
substitute appearances.
Riccardo Meggiorini, 31 appearances, 3 goals, vote 5
Possibly the most controversial
of Ventura’s choices in 2012-13 was his persistence in selecting Riccardo
Meggiorini. Signed in the second half of Toro’s promotion season, the 27-year
old had been far from convincing, netting only four times and appearing largely
anonymous. Three goals this season Serie A is a meagre return for striker
clocking up over 30 appearances. It’s hardly a surprise, Meggiorini’s goal
return in the top-flight is poor. Continually jeered in the first half of the
season, his selection seemed baffling beyond belief. His partnership with
Rolando Bianchi has never looked convincing and Meggiorini rarely found himself
in goalscoring positions. Two goals and a dynamic performance away at Inter in
January came out of the blue forcing fans to think he may have turned the
corner. What it offered was a revaluation of the player and his importance to
Ventura’s tactical system. Meggiorini is essentially fielded as a defensive
attacker, pressing the opposition midfield and creating space for the front
three. It’s ugly and not always effective but his hounding of Andrea Pirlo in
the Turin derby was his œuvre d'art. I’m of the opinion though that
Ventura should counter the problem – created by having a continually overrun
midfield – by sticking to 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 next season and playing with a more
dynamic attack. Meggiorini’s three goals were all magnificently taken, begging
the question why he couldn’t do it more often? He is paid as a forward, for
which his contribution was minimal.
Verdict: One of the players the club needs to replace in order to move
forward. The overall impression though is Meggiorini will be staying for next
season so the hope must be he’s reserved as a defensive substitute.
Alessandro Sgrigna, 11 appearances, 1 goal, vote 5.5
Another one who should have been
offloaded last summer but was given a first chance at Serie A. Eventually sold
to Verona, he had the distinction of scoring Toro’s first goal of the season in
the win over Pescara. A handful of appearances later, some nice touches but a
growing sensation he was out of his depth, Sgrigna was moved on. Will be
interesting to see if he features as part of Verona’s Serie A team next year.
Verdict: Part of the squad that needs a major overhaul on several
levels. The talismanic Bianchi has left which allows Ventura the freedom to
field his ‘own men’. A change in formation will also lead to a reflection on
the type of forwards required. Of the list above only Barreto seems to have the
necessary potential. At least three new forwards required.
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