Torino travel to Parma with the chance to turn their home win over Udinese into the first consecutive victories of their Serie A season, and Ignazio Abate has made clear that his side must approach Monday’s match at the Stadio Tardini with conviction rather than caution.
The mood around the Filadelfia has risen after the Udinese result, but Abate sees the next fixture as a test of whether his team can turn encouragement into momentum. With matchday seven approaching, the coach believes Torino have the tools to compete for a win on the road.
“We have what it takes to try to win this game,” Abate said. “We cannot go onto the pitch burdened by too many thoughts. We have to play to win.”
Abate demands the same spirit
For the Torino coach, the performance against Udinese set a standard that cannot disappear once the team leaves home. He wants further growth from a squad he feels is improving in physical condition, confidence and squad availability.
“We want to keep developing and we need to be ambitious,” he said. “The spirit shown against Udinese must remain with us, because that is the foundation for trying to win.”
Abate has repeatedly stressed that character will remain central to his work. He wants his players to bring intensity, heart and determination to Parma, alongside the tactical discipline required by the occasion.
“The team’s soul, heart and fighting spirit are extremely important,” he said. “They must never be absent.”
The coach was encouraged by what he saw from the group during the week and described a side building stronger foundations. He nevertheless underlined that there remains considerable room for progress.
“I want to see what the players have shown me in training,” Abate said. “There is a very strong mentality and a group is taking shape on solid bases. I want the same attitude we had against Udinese, the same desire to win. I want ambition.”
A possible repeat of the new shape
The Udinese victory also brought a tactical adjustment, with Torino using a flexible 4-4-2 that became a 3-5-2 in the defensive phase. Abate indicated that the system could be retained at the Tardini, while insisting that the team’s principles matter more than the formation itself.
“We could continue in this way, but we have to work on our principles, which are the most important thing,” he said.
The final session before the squad leave for their Parma training retreat is expected to point towards the same structure. Nikola Vlasic could return to the starting XI on the right side of midfield, with permission to move inside and influence play centrally.
Abate believes the Croatia international is steadily improving in both body and mind.
“Nikola is getting better physically and mentally,” the coach said. “He is a player who needs to feel free. In a 4-4-2, he can play on the right, as he does for Croatia. Even beyond him, playing with two strikers is a very viable option.”
The four-man midfield would also place Cacciamani on the left flank. The player was at Robaldo on Thursday to watch his former Primavera team-mates, while Abate outlined the next stage of his development in the senior side.
“I see him mainly as a fourth midfielder,” Abate said. “He must improve his understanding of the role and vary his play. He can come inside more often. He is finding continuity and must keep working without excessive pressure.”
Fitness updates across the squad
Abate also offered positive words on Duván Zapata, whose training consistency has improved as he works his way towards sharper condition.
“He is finding real continuity in training and his form is improving,” the coach said.
Pietro Pellegri, meanwhile, will require careful management. Cesare Casadei has been challenged to take a further step in his maturity, with Abate asking the midfielder to become more adult in his approach.
Sandro Kulenovic is not viewed simply as a late-game specialist by his coach. Abate considers him on the same footing as the other attacking options and praised the forward’s attitude whenever he is called upon.
“I do not see him as someone who only changes matches from the bench,” Abate said. “For me, he is level with the others. Sandro has spirit; you can see it in the way he comes on.”
