Vanoli: ‘Milinkovic-Savic is an under-rated goalkeeper’ | OneFootball

Paolo Vanoli believes that Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is an ‘under-rated goalkeeper’ and hopes Torino’s victory over Milan can go to raising his profile.

The Granata have been so wasteful in attack this season and it cost them many points, but this evening they were remarkably clinical to make the most of every Rossoneri error.

There was also luck when Mike Maignan kicked a clearance onto Malick Thiaw to ricochet into his own net, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic confirmed his amazing record on penalties by parrying from Christian Pulisic for his fourth save of the season in Serie A.

Antonio Sanabria was then smart to take the free kick quickly for the Gvidas Gineitis winner just 90 seconds after the Tijjani Reijnders equaliser.

Vanoli feels Torino deserved victory

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

“I think Milinkovic-Savic is an under-rated goalkeeper and I told him that too,” Vanoli told DAZN.

“Some of our work this season has been letting him realise his genuine potential. He is a goalkeeper who gives you many options too.”

Vanoli celebrated by leaping onto the goalkeeper and getting a piggyback ride after the final whistle.

“I am happy with this important victory and I feel these players deserve it. The season has been one of ups and downs, but the fruits of our labour are victories like this against a truly strong opponent. I told the lads we needed to suffer to get the points. We have a lot that still needs to be improved and that includes the new players who are still getting into shape.”

The statistics really show the bizarre nature of this match, as Toro won 2-1 with xG of just 0.36, compared to Milan’s 2.28.

Vanoli started January signings Cesare Casadei, Eljif Elmas and Cristiano Biraghi against Milan.

“We also need to improve using the qualities of our players, as we have many who can pass the ball and few with real physicality and pace. Casadei is very good at this, but needs to find the right timing of his runs. It is his first Serie A experience, the club made a big investment and I feel that both he and Samuele Ricci represent the future of the Italy midfield too.

“Elmas provides us with a lot of quality and pace too, clearly he needs to get match fitness. We are also working on the details that make the difference, as we make too many individual errors, for example on the penalty today.”