Arrivato in estate per rinforzare la difesa, Maripan ci ha messo un po’ a ingranare ma poi ha dato tante soddisfazioni a Vanoli e ai tifosi
Arriving in the summer in the back-and-forth between market entries and exits that involved much of the defensive department, Guillermo Maripan was a great discovery for Torino. A total leader, but it took time. Vagnati brought him to Italy at the end of the summer almost as a sort of desperate move, and indeed in his first outings he really seemed to be. The start was one of the worst: in fact, in his second game as a starter – against Inter – the Chilean was sent off following a nasty entry against Thuram, leaving his teammates in numerical inferiority for most of the match. Vanoli had tried again to give him confidence, but then another heavy mistake made against Fiorentina led to him being kept out for five games in a row. At some point something changed, and from the game against Bologna onwards he literally never left the field, giving many satisfactions.
Questione di leadership
Sliding doors. Yes, because in soccer these revolving doors affect more than anything else. A disqualification of Coco changed the season of the Toqui, who was deployed as a starter against Bologna and confirmed until the end of the championship. The former Monaco man regained Vanoli’s trust, becoming the immovable leader of the rearguard and contributing largely to the excellent defensive numbers. It is no coincidence that since his “comeback” the team has conceded far fewer goals and achieved many consecutive useful results: this, too, led to the “Garnet Ball” award presented to him. Also next year therefore in all likelihood they will start again with him, who with a year of Italian experience behind him can only do better. The defense of the future could consist of him and Schuurs, while waiting for the long-awaited reinforcement from the market.
Total appearances: 29Gols: 1Assist: 1
Rating: 6.5
Guillermo Maripan
