Torino's manager Paolo Vanoli returns to Venezia in weekend clash.
Venezia vs
Torino
As Venezia seek their first Serie A victory since promotion, they face a formidable Torino side on Friday evening, with both teams eager to make a statement at the historic Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium.
Venezia
Venezia are yet to settle into life in the top flight after a two-year absence. A 3-1 defeat away to Lazio on the opening weekend and a goalless draw against Fiorentina leaves the Winged Lions without a win since their return to Serie A.
With just one point from two matches (0W, 1D, 1L), Venezia are in 17th place, only ahead of 18th-placed Bologna and 19th-placed Como due to a slightly better goal difference. Still one of nine teams yet to record a win in Serie A, Venezia will be looking to pick up their maiden victory when they host red-hot Torino on Friday.
While a win remains highly unlikely, the Winged Lions are unbeaten in eight of the last nine top-flight encounters against the visitors (2W, 6D, 1L). Victory here would leave Venezia with successive wins over Il Toro for the first time in Serie A, having emerged victorious in the last meeting in February 2022.
Eusebio Di Francesco was pleased with his side’s defensive performance, having seen Venezia keep a shutout last weekend, calling it ‘attentive and precise’ against Fiorentina. ‘Against Torino, we want to have a great match together with our fans, and I expect a full and enthusiastic Penzo,’ he added, appealing for an electric atmosphere at home.
The 54-year-old former Roma coach is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation with Christian Gytkjær in attack. Meanwhile, Gianluca Busio is in doubt for the match.
Torino
Paolo Vanoli, the architect of Venezia's promotion to Serie A, will return to his former club but on the opposing bench as Torino's manager. Since joining the Maroons in June, the 52-year-old has enjoyed a successful start, securing a 2-0 victory over Cosenza in the Coppa Italia while earning four points from the first two league matches.
A 2-2 draw against AC Milan and a hard-fought 2-1 win over Atalanta turned heads at the end of Match Day 2. Torino are one of the seven teams yet to taste defeat in Serie A this season.
A win on Friday will see the Maroons pick up seven points from their opening three matches for the second time in the last three seasons, having managed to do so just twice in the previous 18 top-flight campaigns. Torino are likely to operate in a 3-5-2 formation with Duván Zapata and Che Adams in attack.
Adams bagged his maiden goal in the 50th minute last weekend against Atalanta after providing an assist for Ivan Ilić in the 31st minute. This forward duo will be crucial in Torino's bid for victory.
