Torino vs Chievo preview - Toro looking to bounce back

Torino coach Giampiero Ventura blamed "exhaustion" for his team's 5-1 humiliation at Genoa last time out but is confident they will make amends against Chievo on Sunday.

The Granata were in contention to qualify for European football next season after beating Juventus 2-1 in the derby last month but their hopes have faded.

A 2-2 draw at Palermo and a 1-0 reverse against Empoli followed before they fell to their worst defeat of the campaign at Genoa on Monday.

Their recent drop in form has seen Toro fall to ninth in the standings, six points adrift of sixth-placed Sampdoria, who hold the last Europa League qualifying spot with three games remaining.

"It wasn't the real Torino," Ventura said to Gazzetta dello Sport. "It was all down to exhaustion.

"We've played 50 games this season with a limited squad.

"We've also competed in the Europa League, hence, there is a physical and mental tiredness.

"Genoa were in better shape than us.

"But we conceded three goals in the last five minutes of the game which we could have easily avoided.

"We must turn the page and give a better image against Chievo."

Ventura will be forced to make wholesale changes against Chievo with goalkeeper Daniele Padelli, defender Bruno Peres and striker Carvalho Amauri all serving one-match bans.

Moreover, Toro's top scorer Fabio Quagliarella will miss the encounter after sustaining a muscular injury against Genoa.

With Padelli suspended, Ventura is set to hand Uruguay goalkeeper Salvador Ichazo his Serie A debut on Sunday.

Chievo extended their unbeaten run to six games after holding Hellas Verona to a 2-2 draw in last weekend's derby.

The outcome in Verona allowed the Flying Donkeys to climb to 12th in the standings, six points adrift of Toro and one point clear of Hellas.

"We would have liked to have won the derby but to remain above Hellas in the standings is also positive," Chievo coach Rolando Maran said.

Chievo defender Nicholas Frey and midfielder Valter Birsa have recovered from their respective injuries but the visitors will be without midfielder Ezequiel Schelotto who is suspended.