Torino vs Bologna preview - Ventura remains grounded

Posted Saturday, February 08, 2014 by PA

Torino coach Giampiero Ventura insists his players are not getting carried away with their lofty position as they prepare to meet Bologna in Serie A on Sunday.

The Granata have been one of the surprise packages of this season and sit seventh in the table, level on 33 points with Inter Milan, who are sixth.

Toro have lost just once in their last 10 league games and they followed their 1-0 triumph over Atalanta with a 1-1 draw at AC Milan last time out.

Moreover, Ventura's side remain unbeaten in Turin since September 29 and have won four of their last five games at home.

"When I arrived to Torino two years ago, I never spoke of defending our Serie A status or of Europe," Ventura said. "I just spoke of following a path of growth for the future.

"We are in a good position in the standings but we simply cannot be over-confident.

"We have to take it one game at a time.

"We do want to remain in the elite zone of the standings as long as possible and to be at the level that this club deserves to be at."

Rivals Bologna travel to Turin looking for their first win in 2014.

The Rossoblu fell 2-0 to Udinese last weekend to fall to 17th position, one point and one place clear of the relegation zone.

Bologna suffered a further blow this week with the departure of the team's top scorer Alessandro Diamanti to Chinese side Guangzhou.

To complicate matters for coach Davide Ballardini, striker Robert Acquafresca is out for three weeks with a groin problem.

Moreover, midfield trio Francesco Della Roca, Michele Pazienza and Panagiotis Kone are all unavailable through injuries and suspension.

Ballardini is expected to hand Erik Friberg his Serie A debut this weekend.

The Swedish midfielder joined Bologna from Malmo FC last week and is eager to make an impact in Italy's top flight.

"I am in good form and I am ready to play at Torino," Friberg said. "I always watched the Serie A on TV and I'm delighted to finally be able to play in this competition."

The hosts welcome back striker Marcelo Larrondo, who has returned from a foot injury.