Torino — Napoli : Match Preview and Prediction for October 18,2025

Torino’s Seasonal Struggles and Managerial Change

The Turin-based squad was left unimpressed by yet another mediocre Serie A campaign, leading to the dismissal of Paolo Vanoli after the conclusion of the previous season. His replacement is the seasoned Marco Baroni, who previously coached Spartak Moscow. Baroni’s tenure at Lazio ended controversially; despite the Roman side demonstrating a mostly vibrant performance throughout the season, he faltered towards the end and was consequently relieved of his duties.

Recent Form and Squad Issues for Torino

The challenge now for “Il Toro” (The Bulls) is to cultivate a more dynamic and offensive style of play, though the available talent in Turin is undeniably more modest. Nevertheless, the hosts concluded the recent fixtures on a mixed but notable note before the international break. They first secured a 1-0 home victory against Pisa in the cup, followed by a 1-2 away league defeat to Parma in a high-scoring encounter. Most recently, they engaged in an exciting 3-3 draw in Rome against Baroni’s former club, Lazio, where Torino tragically conceded an equalizer in the 12th minute of added time, relinquishing what would have been a significant win. This varied array of results from their last three matches clearly indicates that Baroni is still experimenting to find the right formula. Ahead of their clash with the reigning champions, Torino sits 16th in the league, conceding an average of two goals per game, which is a concerning statistic for a team of their caliber. For the upcoming match against Napoli, Torino will be without Aboukhal, Anjorin, Savva, Sazonov, Schuurs, and Ismaily, with Ilic also listed as doubtful. These numerous absences are likely to significantly impact the team’s performance.

Napoli’s Ambitions and Strong Start

Prior to the start of the season, Napoli invested heavily, spending 100 million euros, with the clear objective of not only maintaining their prominent position in Serie A but also making a significant impact in European competition, specifically the Champions League. So far, Antonio Conte’s squad is leading the domestic championship, having secured five victories in six rounds, with their sole defeat coming against AC Milan. In the Champions League, after a challenging 0-2 loss to Manchester City while playing with ten men, the Neapolitans successfully bounced back, securing a crucial 2-1 home win against Sporting Lisbon.

Key Players and Napoli’s Injury Concerns

Rasmus Hojlund, on loan from Manchester United, has integrated exceptionally well into the Italian champions’ tactical system. His vital goals were instrumental in earning crucial points, including a 2-1 victory against Genoa before the international break, and his brace proved decisive in defeating the Portuguese champions, Sporting. For their visit to Turin, the away side will be without Lobotka, the long-absent Lukaku, and Rrahmani due to injuries.