Genoa vs Torino preview - Ventura: We have to bounce back

Posted Sunday, May 10, 2015 by PA

Torino coach Giampiero Ventura has told his players they must move on quickly from the disappointment of last week's 1-0 home defeat to Empoli if they are to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League.

The Granata are three points adrift of sixth-place Sampdoria as they travel to the Luigi Ferraris stadium for Monday's game against Genoa.

A bizarre own goal from Torino goalkeeper Daniele Padelli ended their six-match unbeaten run on Wednesday.

Padelli's blunder, which saw the keeper scuff the ball and watch it roll into the net, condemned Toro to their 10th defeat of the campaign.

"In my coaching career, I had never seen anything like it," Ventura said to the Italian press. "But mistakes happen and unfortunately, we weren't able to react.

"But we cannot look back.

"We still have a chance to qualify for Europe.

"There are four games remaining and we need to win at least two of them."

Toro beat Genoa 2-1 earlier this season in Turin but the Granata have not beaten the Grifoni at the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Serie A since the 1981-1982 campaign.

"We expect a very difficult match," Ventura said. "Both teams are fighting for the same aim.

"But this game is crucial for our aspirations."

Genoa are also in contention for a top-sixth finish.

The Grifoni were unable to follow their 3-1 victories over Cesena and Milan as they fell 2-0 at Roma last weekend.

"Despite the loss, we showed we are in good form," Genoa coach Gian PIero Gasperini said. "Now we have four difficult games left to play and we must recover our energy as soon as possible.

"We expect a tough game against Torino."

Ventura will have all of his players available, including Argentinian forward Maxi Lopez, who has shaken off a muscular injury and will partner Fabio Quagliarella in attack.