The Scottish striker is motivated and wants to improve on the 9 goals scored last season
The voices from the valley rise quickly, reaching the Toro bus. About twenty Granata fans have already climbed up here, to Prato allo Stelvio, nestled behind the giant Stelvio mountain and facing the Swiss border. News travels fast that, shortly after 7 PM, Marco Baroni`s team would arrive at the Garden Park Hotel, the luxury hotel designated as the training camp headquarters for the summer of 2025, connected by an internal walkway to the Sportzentrum Prad, the sports center where Toro will prepare for the season.
The team traveled from Turin by charter train to Bolzano, after having lunch at the Filadelfia restaurant. Then, from Bolzano, it was an hour and a half by bus to the training camp location. So, as we were saying: when the Granata contingent arrived at the Garden parking lot at 7:05 PM (give or take a minute), they found a patrol of fans waiting for them. Amidst applause and some chants of encouragement, one of the most applauded was precisely him, Che Adams. The Scot who has quickly captivated the Toro faithful. And who, for the season to come, has made a promise…
Aiming for Ten
He had mentioned it at the end of his first Italian season, then when it was time to blow out his 29th birthday candle on Sunday, he reminded his teammates and Marco Baroni, the coach of the new era, of the promise again. In the upcoming championship, the striker born in Leicester but with Scottish blood (and passport) – thanks to his mother – wants to hit the double-digit mark. He came very close in his Italian football debut: nine goals in Serie A, plus one goal in the Coppa Italia. In the overall tally, this brought his total for the year to 10. For his second opportunity with Toro, he wants to reach double digits solely in the league. And based on his first steps this season, it`s clear he is particularly motivated.
Immediately Involved
He didn`t want to waste any time in recent days. He returned to Turin on Thursday evening: he finished the previous season a few days late due to commitments with his national team (Scotland), which is why he was able to enjoy three extra days of vacation. On Friday morning, he underwent medical tests and entry assessments in Turin, then, on Saturday, when the team received the embrace of over two thousand Granata fans at Filadelfia, he was already on the field. It`s a clear sign of starting off on the right foot.
Establishing Himself
From discovery to revelation, a year ago. Now Adams is expected to take a further step: from revelation to consecration. He will undoubtedly be helped by the possible return – presumably after the first few league games – of captain Zapata. And Marco Baroni will also give him a hand, as he plans a dual role for him in the coming year. The first phase will unfold while waiting for Duvan`s return and will see him as the main center-forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation, bearing the primary weight of the attack. The second phase will perhaps be the more interesting one, because Adams can play as a second striker behind Duvan. In the formation Toro will adopt, he could also operate as a false trequartista: false, because he will play more like a second striker. This will mean having fewer defenders marking him, less rigid marking, but more space and channels ahead in his field of vision. On Sunday, on the team`s first rest day, he was among the group of players who trained anyway. These are scattered signals. Meanwhile, the voices from the valley rise, the people adore him and encourage him. He, as always, listens shrewdly and reciprocates with smiles. The best will come on the pitch.
