Inter Milan vs Torino preview - Ventura faces selection headache

Posted Saturday, March 08, 2014 by PA

Torino coach Giampiero Ventura faces a selection headache for Sunday's match at Inter Milan.

The Granata are without the services of defenders Cesare Bovo, Kamil Glik and Nikola Maksimovic, all suspended this weekend.

To complicate matters for Ventura, defenders Salvatore Massiello and Giovanni Pasquale are sidelined through injury.

Pasquale is out of action for 40 days with a groin problem.

Despite the numerous absentees, Ventura has nevertheless demanded a vast improvement against Inter with respect to last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Sampdoria.

The outcome followed Toro's 1-0 loss at Juventus in the Turin derby and dropped the Granata to ninth place.

"We had the wrong approach to the game against Sampdoria," Ventura said. "Our first 20 minutes were simply embarrasing.

"The only positive thing is that after this defeat, I hope no one talks more about our chances of playing in Europe next season.

"The fact is that we have to grow a lot as was evident from our performance against Sampdoria.

"I expect a reaction from my players against Inter."

Rivals Inter are five points clear of Torino and held Roma to a goalless result last time out.

The outcome followed their 1-1 draw against Cagliari and kept Inter in fifth place, just one point clear of Parma and Hellas Verona.

Inter Milan coach Walter Mazzarri will not be at full strength this weekend with defender Walter Samuel suspended while left-back Juan Jesus must serve his first of a three-match ban on Sunday.

Juan Jesus was punished by the Lega Serie A disciplinary body for punching Roma player Alessio Romagnoli during last weekend's game.

Mazzarri will be hoping his side can find their goalscoring touch againt Torino with the Nerazzurri having mustered just six goals in 2014.

Inter have lost just once at home this season.