Torino’s summer spark against Avellino: Vlasic shines, Mascardi saves

On a warm summer evening at the foot of Montevergine, a gentle breeze blessed the scene while Torino and Avellino faced off in a pre‑season friendly, a match where Di Maggio answered Vlasic’s flair and Mascardi’s penalty‑stop heroics earned Torino a hard‑won victory.

The night began with a crisp dribble in the heart of the area and a cross‑field ball, signals that the magician from Spalato had restarted his story of chances, inventions and goals.

Nikola Vlasic, arriving from Avellino, quickly proved the extra man for the Toro, scoring the opening goal after twelve minutes – his first strike of the new season and a clear statement of his central role.

Ignazio Abate’s side eventually won on penalties in Avellino’s home, clinching the sixth friendly thanks to Mascardi’s super saves, and lifted the fourth edition of the Sandro Criscitiello memorial after recent wins at Burnley (0‑1) and in Philadelphia with Vado (3‑1).

Abate has transmitted a set of playing principles in just over a month: rapid ball circulation, constant winger insertion and a respectable pressing aggression that will improve as the players’ athletic condition develops.

Beyond the goal, Vlasic’s importance lies in his ability to let the Toro play fluidly; his technique and tactical intelligence make him the reference point for teammates, drawing counter‑movements with one or two touches and allowing wingers and strikers to insert quickly.

Avellino also served as the final general rehearsal for Torino’s Coppa Italia debut on Ferragosto against Carrarese at 21:15, with Abate confirming the same lineup used in England at Burnley, thereby trusting the academy graduates Dembélé, Luongo, Gineitis, Njie and Cacciamani.

Andrea Luongo, born in 2008, was promoted straight to the first team and started every friendly; he confessed his nerves, saying, “I am very excited, my whole family is here. This month has been very fast and a bit unexpected; I want to give my best and enjoy it.”

Veteran Comuzzo faced a pleasant Avellino side on the ball, becoming a tough opponent and threatening at the seventh minute of the second half before Di Maggio’s equaliser; newer faces such as Comert showed improved condition, Simeone’s legs moved better, Njie remained proactive, and Pedersen and Ilkhan made their debuts in the second half.

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