Ignazio Abate hailed Torino’s spirit after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Udinese, and thanked the supporters who turned out in numbers on a Monday night.
With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Torino coach was speaking at his post-match press conference after substitute Sandro Kulenovic struck the winner in the second half.
“You could feel how much we wanted to win in front of our fans. I thank them, there were so many of them even though it was a Monday night. Playing here is wonderful and important, it’s a special place and we need to spark the magic. We won a very tough game and beat them at their own game without giving an inch. I don’t remember Udinese having any big chances. Our substitutes came on and did brilliantly, which shows we’re a group all rowing in the same direction.”
Kulenovic came off the bench for Che Adams and needed only three minutes to pounce on a defensive mistake for his first goal of the season.
“I treat them all the same way. He has my full trust, and I have an honest relationship with everyone. You’ve seen it in my choices: I give everyone a chance. We need people like him, and there’s no letting up. We need everyone, that’s football.”
Abate on Simeone, Ilkhan and Torino’s system
Abate explained Adams’ early exit and singled out Giovanni Simeone, who is still waiting for his first goal of the campaign.
“I knew Adams would have an hour, any more would have been a risk. He worked hard, but the only two with 90 minutes in their legs were Simeone and Kulenovic. For me, Simeone was man of the match. He played like a true leader. When you play for the team, the wheel turns and the rewards will come.”
Emirhan Ilkhan had to go off after coming on as a second-half substitute and Abate confirmed: “He felt something in his adductor and asked to come off.”
Abate admitted Torino started nervously and are still looking for the right balance.
“We started a bit tense and you could sense the nerves, but I didn’t see that in the second half. We need to work, and today eight of the starting XI were new. We conceded the equaliser in the 43rd minute, and one way or another you have to go into half-time in front. We have five strikers and eight midfielders, and I have to find a way to get them all on the pitch. There’s a lot to improve, but what counts is the attitude. The fans saw that today we gave everything.”