Overview
Torino entered the Coppa Italia with the expectation of going deeper after reaching the quarter-finals last season. The Turin team was eliminated by Inter Milan in this round, but in the immediate future they will have to overcome Monza to win the right to advance.
With 5 Coppa Italia championships, the most recent in 1993, Torino has a long history of achievements in the league. However, the victory over Carrarese in the previous round was not really convincing as they were just enough to overcome the Serie B opponent at home.
Greater difficulties come from form in Serie A. Torino has lost all 2 of the first matches of the season under new coach Ignazio Abate. After losing to Milan on the opening day, Granata continued to receive a 1-2 defeat to Sassuolo even though Pietro Comuzzo scored his first goal for the club.
Thus, Torino has not won any points after two rounds and is under pressure to regain the feeling of victory. The confrontation with Monza will be an opportunity for Abate to revive the team's spirit before Torino returns to Serie A to face Fiorentina.
Head-to-head history is leaning towards Torino. Since Monza first appeared in Serie A in 2022, this team has never defeated Granata. In the last 6 encounters, Torino has maintained an unbeaten record.
Monza is also not in better form. After overcoming Avellino with a score of 3-0 in the first round of the Coppa Italia, this team successively lost to Inter Milan and Udinese in Serie A. Notably, they conceded 7 goals in just 2 matches.
The 2-3 defeat to Udinese right at home further exposed the problems in Monza's defense system. This is a problem that coach Ivan Juric needs to solve soon, especially when they are preparing to enter important matches with Parma and Lecce in the relegation race.
Juric is no stranger to Torino as he used to coach this team in the past. However, his current task is to help Monza maintain his position in Serie A, so the Coppa Italia may not be a top priority.
However, Monza still has the opportunity to create a surprise against a Torino facing difficulties. Both teams entered the match with poor form, but Torino has a significant advantage in head-to-head record and home field.
Personnel situation
Abate has given Eray Comert a chance to debut in Serie A in the match against Sassuolo. Torino has also just added Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri from Leeds United. However, the home team still lacks some players in the upcoming match.
Cesare Casadei just joined the injury list along with Pietro Pellegri. Meanwhile, Marcus Pedersen has moved to Greece, and Alieu Njie is said to be about to join Fiorentina.
On the Monza side, captain Matteo Pessina is absent due to injury, along with Patrick Ciurria, Leonardo Colombo and Idrissa Toure.
Difficulties increased for Juric when Gustavo Varela suffered a groin muscle injury in the recent match. This newcomer has scored 4 goals in the first 3 matches and will be a significant loss for Monza's attack.
Expected lineup:
Torino: Mascardi, Comuzzo, Coco, Ismajli, Aboukhlal, Gineitis, Ilkhan, Cacciamani, Vlasic, Oristanio, Zapata.
Thiam, Antov, Delli Carri, Carboni, Birindelli, Ondoa, Akinsanmiro, Mangas, Forson, Folorunsho, Mota.
The match between Torino and Monza takes place at 2:00 AM on September 2nd (Vietnam time).
