Torino vs Palermo preview - Gillet demands prompt response

Posted Friday, December 05, 2014 by PA

Jean-Francois Gillet has demanded an immediate response to last weekend's painful defeat at Juventus when Torino host Palermo on Saturday.

A stoppage-time winner from Andrea Pirlo handed Juve a 2-1 win and denied Toro a deserved point from the derby.

The Belgian goalkeeper expects his side to bounce back by putting on a good performance against Palermo.

"We must turn the page," Gillet told his club's official website. "Our focus is now on the game against Palermo.

"The defeat to Juve was a bitter one. It's hard to accept defeat when we lost the way we did."

Toro have mustered just one win from their last six league games and their poor run of form has seen them drop to 15th place, just one point better off than Chievo, who are in the relegation zone.

"We need to try to end the year in the best possible way," Gillet said. "We need a win against Palermo in order to get our confidence back but more so, to climb up in the standings.

"We must react."

The Granata will have to show vast improvement, especially in attack.

Giampiero Ventura's side have found the back of the net just eight times this season, with Italian forward Fabio Quagliarella providing four of those goals.

Toro can expect a battle with Palermo, who won promotion to Italy's top flight earlier this year and are currently riding a five-match unbeaten run.

The Sicilian outfit won 2-1 against Parma last time out to climb to 12th place, five points clear of Toro.

"We are playing well and being rewarded for our efforts," Palermo coach Giuseppe Iachini said. "We must continue on this path."

The visitors will not be at full strength with midfield pair Edgar Barreto and Franco Vazquez both suspended.

Toro are without the services of suspended midfielder Alessandro Gazzi while Ventura will have to watch the game from the Stadio Olimpico stands as he serves a one-match touchline ban.