Walter Mazzarri hit out at Torino ahead of a crunch encounter with Cagliari. “If players aren’t happy, talk to me, but don’t contaminate the group with negativity.”
It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Granata have hit a rough patch after their Europa League playoff defeat to Wolves, losing four of their last six Serie A games, leading to reports the coach could be under pressure.
Walter Mazzarri hit out at Torino ahead of a crunch encounter with Cagliari. “If players aren’t happy, talk to me, but don’t contaminate the group with negativity.”
It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Granata have hit a rough patch after their Europa League playoff defeat to Wolves, losing four of their last six Serie A games, leading to reports the coach could be under pressure.
“If we do a series of things and are at the top of our game in terms of physical and mental ferocity, we can put in some excellent performances,” said Mazzarri in his press conference.
“That is what we must seek to achieve. The opponent is to be respected, but we need to focus only on ourselves and doing better than in recent games. I pressed my staff so we got to work individually with every player and get them back on top in physical and mental conditioning. We’ve lacked courage and positivity of late, so that’s what I want to see.
“We started from scratch this week and I saw improvements in training, but now I have to see them replicated in a match situation. We must overcome this difficult moment, all together.”
Yet Mazzarri had some harsh words for certain unnamed players, hinting at a January cull.
“Those who don’t play must be professional without contaminating the group with their negativity. Everyone gets along, I see no problems there, but this is the squad right now and in January if someone isn’t happy, we’ll find them a new destination.
“The players are paid also to accept the decisions of the coach. Unfortunately, our Europa League elimination caused us to have too many players in the squad for our fixture list. I have two phones, the players can talk to me if they are unhappy, but the important thing is not to contaminate the others. The same goes for you in the media, you have to report what I said here properly.
“That also goes for my rapport with President Urbano Cairo, as we speak twice a day. I keep in touch with the man who pays me. He always says: ‘Do what you think is best.’ Players must be looked after, but not coddled, because they are the ones who have to get us out of this situation.”
Kevin Bonifazi fractured his hand in training and will not be available for this game, missing out along with Alex Berenguer.
Torino squad for Cagliari: Rosati, Sirigu, Ujkani; Aina, Ansaldi, Bonifazi, Bremer, De Silvestri, Djidji, Izzo, Laxalt, Lyanco, Nkoulou; Baselli, Lukic, Meite, Rincon; Belotti, Edera, Falque, Millico, Verdi, Zaza