Cairo: ‘Different Torino season with Zapata, Milinkovic-Savic one of the best’ | OneFootball

Torino President Urbano Cairo insists their season would’ve been very different without that Duvan Zapata injury, while he calls Vanja Milinkovic-Savic ‘one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.’

The Granata have been firmly ensconced in mid-table comfort all season long, at times pushing towards the top eight, but ultimately settling in to 10th place.

Now they will have a decisive influence on the Scudetto race, as in the final five rounds of the campaign, they will go up against both Napoli and Inter.

However, Cairo cannot help but look at their results with a sense of regret.

Cairo expected great things of Torino

epa11916401 Torino’s Vanja Milinkovic Savic makes a save against a penalty kick by Milan’s Christian Pulisic (R) in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Torino FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 22 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

“If we had Duvan Zapata for the whole season, we would’ve achieved great things. It’s as if Inter had been forced to do without Lautaro Martinez,” the Torino President told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“It’s a real pity we had to make do without him, as it would’ve been a very different campaign.”

The Colombia international had started the 2024-25 season strong with four goals in nine games between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, but tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in October 2024 and is not expected back on the field until the summer.

Meanwhile, Cairo also discussed the current Torino players who have been linked with a potential exit at the end of the season, such as goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic.

“We have not spoken to anyone, so these are rumours without foundation. Milinkovic-Savic has a release clause in his contract, but these are things that can be changed. He’s a great goalkeeper, one of the best in Europe, and has improved so much.”

When Torino visit Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this weekend, it will be an opportunity for Scotland internationals Che Adams, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour to face off.