Torino coach Marco Giampaolo admits he had ‘COVID symptoms,’ but spent his time out preparing for today’s Derby della Mole with Juventus.
It kicks off at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This will be his first game back since getting the all-clear from doctors, almost three weeks after he was diagnosed.
“I was away from the team physically, but not emotionally,” said Giampaolo in his press conference.
Torino coach Marco Giampaolo admits he had ‘COVID symptoms,’ but spent his time out preparing for today’s Derby della Mole with Juventus.
It kicks off at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This will be his first game back since getting the all-clear from doctors, almost three weeks after he was diagnosed.
“I was away from the team physically, but not emotionally,” said Giampaolo in his press conference.
“I was asymptomatic for the first two days, then I had some symptoms, and I am still dealing with some residual after-effects. We have to make sacrifices and be extra careful, because you can catch it when you least expect to.
“I spent the time working hard, as I watched many Toro games and those of our opponents, planned training sessions, set out strategies. I stayed in touch with the team via video meetings. The toughest part of it all was having to watch the games from home on my sofa, unable to intervene in any way. That was torture.”
Simone Verdi and Nicola Murru are out with muscular injuries, but Sasa Lukic is back after he too had COVID-19.
Giampaolo was asked if he will stick with the 3-5-2 formation used in the 4-2 defeat to Inter or go back to 4-3-1-2.
“It’s not a matter of the system, as we used 3-5-2 partially against Sassuolo and Lazio too. Talking about the systems doesn’t mean very much in the wider scheme of things.
“We have the worst defensive record in Serie A, but if you look at other parameters, for example the amount of time the opposition spends in our half or how many chances they create, we are average. What we are absolutely top in is the number of goals we concede per scoring opportunity allowed.
“That can affect the confidence of players, because the performances are good and our defensive organisation is not a disaster. Unfortunately, we just paid a heavy price for certain incidents.”
The Derby della Mole has always been very lopsided towards Juventus, so how does Giampaolo prepare Torino to battle against the odds?
“With heart, organisation, character, all elements I always ask of my players. We have to play the game and not let the game play us.
“I also have to say, playing the derby without fans is surreal, like doing it on the PlayStation. The atmosphere even in the week leading up to it isn’t the same.”