Ignazio Abate has hailed Torino’s resilience and fighting spirit following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Granata coach expressed his gratitude to the supporters who turned out in large numbers on a Monday night, emphasizing his desire to ignite a special connection between the team and the fanbase.
Kulenovic Makes Immediate Impact Off the Bench
The decisive moment of the fixture arrived in the second half when substitute Sandro Kulenovic capitalized on a defensive error to fire home the winner just three minutes after replacing Che Adams. The strike marked Kulenovic’s first goal of the campaign and underscored the depth of Abate’s squad. Abate praised his substitutes for making an instant impact, noting that the entire group is pulling in the same direction as they navigate the early stages of the Serie A season.
Abate Praises Simeone’s Leadership and Addresses Squad Balance
Abate also offered tactical insight regarding his starting lineup and the physical condition of his players. Explaining the decision to withdraw Adams after an hour, the coach revealed that only Adams and Giovanni Simeone had a full 90 minutes in their legs. He singled out Simeone for special praise, naming the striker his man of the match despite the forward still hunting for his first goal of the season. Additionally, Abate confirmed that second-half substitute Emirhan Ilkhan was forced off due to an adductor issue.
- Torino secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Udinese in Serie A.
- Substitute Sandro Kulenovic scored the winning goal in the second half.
- Coach Ignazio Abate praised the strong turnout of fans on a Monday night.
- Giovanni Simeone earned high praise for a leader’s performance despite not scoring.
Reflecting on the team’s overall performance, Abate admitted that Torino started the match with noticeable nerves but praised their second-half response. With eight new starters in the lineup and a squad featuring five strikers and eight midfielders, the coach acknowledged that finding the optimal tactical balance remains an ongoing task. However, he insisted that the squad’s collective attitude and willingness to give everything on the pitch provide a strong foundation for future success.