Miha: 'Torino most historical club in Serie A'

By Football Italia staff

Sinisa Mihajlovic says 'no-one in Italy is attached to their roots and their history' like his new club Torino.

The Serbian came to the Granata this summer after being sacked from Milan, and while his new club may be less prestigious, it's no less loaded with a significant heritage.

“Today we could do with someone like Valentino Mazzola,” said Mihajlovic, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I know who he was. He was and remains a symbol of the dramatic, unique history of this club.

“When I went to leave flowers at Superga [in honour of the plane crash of 1949], president [Urbano] Cairo told me that when the Grande Torino was in trouble, which did not happen often, then a trumpeteer on the stands played a charge.

“At that point Mazzola, the captain, drew back the sleeves of his shirt. It was the signal for his comrades, and Torino gave it their all.

“All teams have their stories, traditions and legends, but Torino is the club that more than any other is attached to its roots. It draws strength from its past, and you can't Coach them unless you know them and live them on your skin.

“And nobody can convey all of this better than an old fan who gets emotional as he remembers,” he said, in reference to an aged supporter who showed him an old ticket from the 1940s.

“My first few weeks? I feel at home. I chose Torino because I needed to get back to working in a club that truly resembled me, one that had my values.

“This is an epic club that has known triumphs and tragedies. It's got soul, heart, pride, tears and blood, just how I like it. I can't wait to train at the Filadelfia.

“I'm very driven. Torino's colours are heavy and those who wear them have a great responsibility. Not necessarily repeating the victories of the great teams of the past, but at least not betraying their values and their moral character.”

Torino are often overshadowed in their city by Juventus, who look stronger than ever this year.

“Juve have an exceptionally strong team. If they keep up their sporting anger, they'll win the sixth Scudetto.

“But being the super-favourites isn't helpful, and they can lose energies as they fight to the end in the Champions League. They'll be submerged in criticism as soon as they draw a game, never mind when they lose both their derbies against us!”

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