AS Roma vs Torino preview - Ventura calls for pride

Posted Saturday, November 08, 2014 by PA

Giampiero Ventura has ordered his Torino players to react with "determination and pride" to their humiliating Europa League defeat to HJK Helsinki.

The Granata would have sealed their progression to the knockout stages with victory over the Finnish champions but instead went down 2-1 to lose outright control of their own destiny in Group B.

Next up for Torino is a daunting trip to Roma, the second-placed team in Serie A who are also seeking redemption after losing back-to-back games to Napoli and then Bayern Munich.

Coach Ventura may not expect victory in the Italian capital but he certainly wants to see more "heart" from his team.

He told Torino's official website: "I apologise to the fans who have travelled this far. I am extremely disappointed with the performance.

"You cannot expect to win in Europe if you can't even win one tackle. I think everyone needs a big dose of humility. And when I say everyone I mean everyone, without exception.

"What was missing? Heart. Will this be a lesson for them? I hope so.

"But what is clear is that after a performance like that we have to react immediately with determination and pride."

Toro defender Cesare Bovo and midfielder Migjen Basha are sidelined through injury while Roma are missing a host of first-team players including Federico Balzaretti, Kevin Strootman, Davide Astori and Maicon.

Giallorossi boss Rudi Garcia admitted he had one eye on the Torino game when naming his team to face Bayern on Tuesday night.

Goals from Franck Ribery and Mario Gotze condemned his side to a 2-0 defeat in Bavaria but the French tactician was reasonably pleased with the performance.

He told asroma.it: "Our approach to the game was good, both mentally and tactically. It's a shame we let two goals in because our opponents didn't have that many chances.

"I wanted to field an aggressive team but I opted to rest a few players with the game against Torino in mind. We'll be a bit fresher by then."

Roma are currently three points behind league leaders Juventus.