Torino vs Inter Milan preview - Ventura expects tough Inter clash

Posted Saturday, August 30, 2014 by PA

Torino go into Sunday's match against Inter Milan in buoyant mood after confirming their place in the Europa League group stages.

The Granata edged Croatian side RNK Split 1-0 on Thursday, courtesy of Omar El Kaddouri's penalty, to return to the European competition for the first time in 20 years.

"This is a huge achievement ," Torino coach Giampiero Ventura said. "We are very proud because we have gone from playing in Serie B to qualifying for Europe in the space of three years."

Toro will fancy their changes of progressing past the group stages after being drawn in Group C alongside Copenhagen, Club Brugge and HJK Helsinki.

In the meantime, Torino fans are hoping their team can replicate last season's domestic form despite the departure of star player Ciro Immobile to Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The Italian forward was last season's top scorer in Serie A with 22 goals, helping them finish sixth in the standings although Torino have signed Fabio Quagliarella to replace Immobile in attack.

Quagliarella, who began his playing career at the Stadio Olimpico, had spent the previous four seasons at city rivals Juventus, but the veteran forward is expected to start in his team's opener against Inter.

Ventura predicts a thrilling battle against the Nerazzurri.

"We face a side that is in great form," he said. "It will an extremely difficult game."

Inter head into the encounter in Turin having routed Icelandic side Stjarnan 9-0 on aggregate to reach the Europa League group stages.

They will face Dnipro, St Etienne and FK Karabakh in their pool.

Inter are hoping to show they will be a force to be reckoned with this season after failing to finish in the top three in the past three Serie A campaigns.

"We have constructed a good team to compete in Serie A and in Europe," Inter president Erick Thohir said.

Inter strengthened their defensive line by signing Gary Medel from Cardiff and former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic, both of whom are set to be handed their Serie A debuts this weekend.