After another disappointing season for Torino, where the Granata only avoided relegation on the penultimate day of the season, their a few players who emerge from the campaign with any credit.
Therefore, we invited Toro fan Peter Bourne to give his verdict on how each player in the Toro squad fared this season.
Enjoy!
7
Gleison Bremer (24)
Appearances 33, Goals 5
One of few players to emerge unscathed from the carcass of the past two seasons. Arguably Toro’s player of the season. His five goals helped yield six points including a vital winner away at Cagliari. Always a threat from set pieces. His physique and pace allows him to recover occasional bad positioning. Perhaps needs another season of development before he is ready for bigger challenges. Reserved his poorest performances for the final weeks of the season.
Rolando Mandragora (23)
Appearances 18, Goals 3
Stared the season at Udinese recovering from a cruciate injury sustained against Toro last season. Arrived at the request of Nicola as one of two (overdue) January signings. Played almost every minute besides the close of the match against Napoli (sending off) and a subsequent suspension against Parma. Provided crucial goals and much needed energy. A tuttofare adept at all aspects of midfield play without perhaps having an obvious main attribute. Young, dynamic and versatile, should be one of the pillars with which to build the future team around
6.5
Cristian Ansaldi (34)
Appearances 31, Goals 1
Finished the season as Toro’s MVP, one of few capable of creating space. The fact that the side’s main weapon was a 34-year old left-back who earlier in the season looked cooked offers a worrying insight into the team’s lack of creativity and plan. A virtual ever-present under Nicola, Ansaldi grew into the season. Looks likely to be one of the few players guaranteed to be in next year’s squad. Which should be as a reserve and impact player.
Armando Izzo (29)
Appearances 25, Goals 2
Following an excellent first season under Mazzarri (2018-2019), standards slipped massively last year. Was cast aside by Marco Giampaolo as not suitable for back four. Inexplicably Giampaolo occasionally fielded him at right back before recalling Izzo when he sacrificed his principles and reverted to the back three that has largely been Toro’s DNA for 30 years. Pretty much ever present from round 13 onwards. Far from perfect but his grit, aggression and ability to man-mark played a massive difference in a more respectable second half of the season.
Antonio Sanabria (25)
Appearances 14, Goals 5
One of two players requested by Nicola in January and like Mandragora took an unnecessary age to sign. Arrived with a suspension and Covid so was not unleashed until March. A futile wonder goal in his debut at Crotone was a sign of things to come at least in a honeymoon period which saw important goals and performances against Juventus and Roma. Faded significantly in the final weeks of the season which raised questions about whether the Paraguayan will be an inspired impact signing or someone to be relied on longer-term.
6
Andrea Belotti (27)
Appearances 35, Goals 13
In goalscoring terms far from his most prolific, indeed just four in his last 24 matches, two of which were penalties, the other a rebound from a penalty. A declining return which appears to have gone largely unnoticed. In that same period just four assists. Started the season like the rampaging Belotti under Mihajlovic, free-scoring albeit in a team which was losing matches. In the second half of the season he often played a more withdrawn role with Antonio Sanabria and Simone Zaza as the central striker. Delicious assists at Benevento and Parma aside, the girone di ritorno was one of endeavour but little quality. One of the players who suffered most from Covid-19. At a crossroads, just a year left on his contract and with his market value at a low, it will be interesting to see what decision the club and most significantly, he, takes.
Simone Zaza (29)
Appearances 29, Goals 6
Makes the complicated sometimes look easy, renders the basic complicated, rarely puts two good performances together and is the maestro of the unnecessary foul. Six goals appears to be his ceiling, achieved this season in five more appearances than the last. Four of those goals were the priceless doubles against Benevento and Sassuolo which is what elevates his rating. Never really looks compatible with Belotti and is often more effective with another strike partner. Frustrating.
Alessandro Buongiorno (21)
Appearances 12
Finally a product from the vivaio comes good. Featured more than expected and showed a calmness and maturity that belied the situation and his experience. His first games were against Roma, Napoli and Juventus. Excelled in all three. Struggled as the defence leaked acqua in the closing weeks of the season. Looks a good prospect for the future especially if he has the chance in a more reliable team.
Nicolas N’Koulou (31)
Appearances 18, Goals 1
Some observers link Torino’s decline over the past two seasons to N’Koulou’s antics before the Europa League qualifiers against Wolves. Possibly only in the final months of this season did his form return to the levels of his first two seasons. Technically one of the best defenders Toro have had in the past two decades. If it was not for overconfidence and the occasional bad piece of decision making he would have enjoyed a career at much loftier heights. Leaves after four years as his contract has run down. And with bittersweet memories.
Wilfried Singo (20)
Appearances 28, Goals 1
A reverse Ansaldi in that he started the season as one of the side’s few weapons yet finished it looking sluggish and spent. Having broken through towards the end of last season, his pace, aggression and tunnel trick proved one of the few highlights of the Giampaolo regime. An unfortunate sending off in Rome seemed to commence a downward spiral which coupled with a lay-off for Covid saw his season peter out. Probably played a little too much and had it not been for the scarcity of the squad, would have been better suited coming off the bench more regularly. Interesting to see if he develops next season.
Mërgim Vojvoda (26)
Appearances 24, Goals 2
Shared the right wing-back slot with Singo, the Kosovan was just about the only permanent summer signing exclusively made by Davide Vagnati. Started the season brightly showing an ability from advanced wide positions and taking on opponents. A decent end to the campaign with crucial goals against Parma and Verona made up for a forgettable mid-season.
Tomás Rincón (33)
Appearances 36, Goals 1
Somewhat surprisingly/disapprovingly Torino 2020-21 started with Rincon not only as a guaranteed starter but through no fault of his own as the default regista. Towards the end of last season his legs seemed wearier and as a consequence ability to recover mistakes less frequent. For both coaches he was a mainstay of the side which pointed to a lack of quality and options but also important leadership skills and perhaps one of few players capable of managing games. Next season should be time for a change.
5.5
Salvatore Sirigu (34)
Appearances 32, Goals Conceded -62, Clean Sheets 7
A pretty traumatic season following a disappointing end to the 2019-2020 campaign. Became the first keeper in Serie A history to concede seven goals in a match three times (once at Palermo, twice at Torino) and the first half of the season was characterised by poor decision making, slow reactions and sloppy handling. Mistakes under Marco Giampaolo were nearly a goal a game until he was dropped in December. Found it difficult to hide his disgust for the defending in front of him. During the final months of the campaign, without returning to the form of the Mazzarri seasons, he found greater focus and sharper reflexes. His save in the home win over Sassuolo and performance in the deciding match away at Lazio merit respect and perhaps a rating higher than deserved. Difficult to see him in a Toro shirt next season.
Vanja Milinković-Savić (24)
Appearances 5, Goals Conceded -6, Clean Sheets 1
Five league appearances plus three in the Coppa Italia for the giant free-kick taking Serbian. His demeanour, physique and style may lend him eventual cult hero status. Deputised for Sirigu during two periods of the campaign, coincidentally enough for both matches against Bologna and Roma. Far more adept than Sirigu at playing out from the back, his performance in the 3-1 win over the Giallorossi was his best in a Toro shirt. However a near calamitous sortie from his line in Udine and a howler in gifting Bologna a goal weighed heavily, perhaps fatally, in any thoughts about trusting him as an eventual number one.
Daniele Baselli (29)
Appearances 15
Had by and large barely featured in a competitive match since December 2019 (just once in Naples in February 2020) before succumbing during the initial pandemic to a cruciate injury. Returned in week 19 against Benevento but took baby steps back to action. Even by the end of the season seemed unable to handle more than an hour (indeed the 90 minutes against Parma the only time he played more than 56 minutes). The early years Baselli (who the current Mandragora resembles) seem a distant memory. His last goal was in March 2019. Showed glimpses of a control and touch that other midfielders in the roster could only dream of, however we may now have seen the best of him.
Sasa Lukic (24)
Appearances 32, Goals 3
Pretty much an ever present under both Giampaolo and Nicola, Lukic proved another player whose form altered greatly under the two coaches. Given an advanced role under Giampaolo, his run of an assist and three goals in a four-game spell earlier in the season appeared to indicate the consecration of the young Serbian. However as Lukic slipped backwards from the temporary trequartista role his form slumped too. Few performances in the second half of the season were anything other than anonymous. Has the talent but still lacks consistency and an ability to impose himself on games.
Amer Gojak (24)
Appearances 15, Goals 1
A signing on deadline day of the summer transfer market, the Bosnian appeared to be a transfer target way down on the list of first choices. Drafted in to add some creativity and menace to the midfield, he only started six matches and never played 90 minutes. Not seen since week 28 perhaps owing to the club not wishing to activate a clause to trigger a permanent signing. In matches he started the game passed him by, coming off the bench he always added vigour and a goal threat. Would perhaps have been nice to see more of him.
Federico Bonazzoli (24)
Appearances 22, Goals 2
Arrived as the back-up to Belotti and Zaza and finished with Sanabria in front of him too. Had a similar impact to Gojak, often lively and effective off the bench (goals against Udinese and crucially in Bergamo), never made an impact in his six starts. Seemed a surprise when Samp let him go last summer, in reality probably needs a full season for an upwardly mobile Serie B side.
5
Nicola Murru (26)
Appearances 14
Another signing ratified by Giampaolo who never fitted in the team’s shape. Probably better suited to a flat back four and as a containment policy, he lacked the technique, pace and crossing ability to act as the alternative Toro desperately needed to Cristian Ansaldi. Disappeared from view under Nicola never playing 90 minutes, featuring just six times and last seen in the defeat at Sampdoria in Week 28. Fortunately just a loan signing.
4.5
Simone Verdi (28)
Appearances 33, Goals 1
The club’s record signing performed pretty poorly in the 2019-20 season and unfortunately this campaign proved no more fruitful. Only when given a more advanced central role under Nicola did he show glimpses of the player see a few seasons ago in Bologna (probably the only real standout seasons of his entire career). One goal (practically an own goal), five assists, countless failed corners and free-kicks. In both spells at the club, Verdi has proved a flop.
Lyanco (24)
Appearances 23
In his three seasons at the club, Lyanco showed his best form while on loan at Bologna. There in one of many ill-timed Instagram posts he stuck the knife into his parent club following a Rossoblu win in Turin. Something which has never really been forgiven. His ability to play out from the back appealed to Giampaolo and he was finally given the chance for a consistent run in the side. Unfortunately even on his better days, Lyanco reserves costly mistakes. A paradox, sometimes the better he plays, the more likely a mistake is. Featured much less under Nicola but played a major role in the heavy defeats at Crotone and at home to Milan. His best performance came in the away derby where an excellent display was ruined by losing Leonardo Bonucci for the winning goal. Not good enough.
4
Ricardo Rodriguez (28)
Appearances 16
Seemed an astute signing, a player of international pedigree, at the prime of his career and in a position the team needed extra quality. Perhaps the 2019-2020 season where Rodriguez featured just 11 times for Milan and PSV should been an indicator. Like Murru, unsuited to a wing-back role. Seemed reluctant to cross the halfway line and incapable of taking on an opponent. Featured just five times after round 16 and largely discarded under the Nicola regime. Performed marginally better as a left-sided centre-back. Only moments of quality came from dead ball situations where he came close with a number of free-kicks, perhaps had one of them earlier in the season come off his campaign would have taken a different turn. A statuesque performance, his final one, in the 7-0 defeat to Milan probably symbolic.
Karol Linetty (26)
Appearances 27, Goals 1
Another fedelissimo of Giampaolo, and the one who looked the best signing. With a few decent seasons at Samp under his belt, he was settled into the rhythm of Serie A and would offer a versatile presence in midfield together with a knack of scoring goals. Following a relatively promising start in the opening match in Florence, Linetty’s form nosedived. A goal in the fog at Sassuolo (was it actually really him?) suggested the turning of a corner. That was not to be. Under Nicola he featured just seven times, never for 90 minutes and just once from the start. His season followed a similar trajectory to Rodriguez and his confidence looked shattered. His market value will have dropped significantly, could he be as bad next season?
No rating
Appearances 1, Goals Conceded -1, Clean Sheets –
Only one appearance, the traditional run-out for a Toro third choice keeper on the final day of the season. The only conclusion? He is a good talker.
You can follow Peter on Twitter here and his book 'Passion in the Piazza' that looks at Torino's dramatic and incredible history is available on Amazon.
