Article by Elliott Martin
When Andrea Belotti attempted to intercept a Hellas Verona back-heel in early October his importance to the Granata was underlined. An awkward fall saw the potent striker stretchered off early with his team two goals up. In the time added on due to his unfortunate injury Torino conceded two, blowing their lead to the newly promoted club. Bad news was soon followed by better news with initial scans ruling out ligament damage although a brief spell on the sidelines would see him miss two International games and three domestic league matches.
Italy were to play Macedonia and Albania in vital World Cup qualifiers, the former being played at Torino’s home stadium; the Azzurri drew 1-1 in Turin, only winning 1-0 in Albania without him despite playing the incessant CiroImmobile. Torino struggled even more. In his debut season of 2015/16 he missed four games, Torino won all four. In the two seasons following he has missed six games, Torino drawing two, losing four and failing to score in four.
After a narrow defeat to Roma, a journalist asked SinisaMihaljovic if he was going to do something with his attack as it was not working. The response from the manager, “What kind of question is that? What do you want me to do? Play a one legged Belotti?” The stressed Serbian saw his position as Torino coach put under threat with underwhelming results in the absence of his undoubted star player. There was no replacement for Il Gallo. Lucas Boye is as frustrating as he is talented, scoring only one goal in Serie A thus far in 36 appearances. M’Baye Niang is almost as frustrating, his top scoring season being two seasons ago with eight goals in all competitions despite a clear gift. Niang’stemperamental form is the same with Adem Ljajic and less so with Iago Falque. These almost maverick playmakers need Andrea Belotti as a fixed target upfront to bounce off and drive forward. Umar Sadiq has attempted to act as this focal point in the absence of Belotti but he has only ever scored two Serie A goals, despite being prolific at youth levels, and his hold up play is left wanting.
Andrea Belotti’s awaited return was met with Torino’s first win in six and then with a well-deserved draw in the San Siro against an Inter side looking to go back to the top of the table, if only for a few hours. The striker hasn’t scored yet after his return but his impact has been felt, Sinisa Mihaljovic confident about his sides turnaround “I saw the spirit of Torino again. We are getting back on the right track. We need to continue like this. […] Belotti is fine, he isn’t in pain anymore. Physically he is not okay. Today he had a couple of chances, which a Belotti in form would have taken. But for us he is vital. The more he plays, the faster he will get his form back.” You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Torino understand even more the importance of Andrea Belotti to their performances.
