CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Torino FC |
| League | Serie A |
| Manager | Ignazio Abate |
| Stadium | Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino |
| Nickname | Il Toro / Granata |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Leading Scorer | Ché Adams |
| Senior Options | Giovanni Simeone, Duván Zapata, Nikola Vlašić |
| Emerging Talent | Sandro Kulenović |
The Defining Moment
Torino’s forward line in 2026/27 has been defined by a single, uncomfortable question that Ignazio Abate has been forced to confront since the opening weeks: who scores the goals?
The defining moment came not in a victory, but in a statistic. After seven Serie A matches, Torino had scored ten goals—a respectable return for a side sitting mid-table—but the goals were spread across the team rather than concentrated in the forward line. Ché Adams, the Scottish international, had scored three in six appearances, a rate of 0.50 per 90 minutes that placed him among the more efficient forwards in the division. Giovanni Simeone, the Argentine veteran, had managed just two. Sandro Kulenović, the Croatian summer signing, had two in limited minutes from the bench.
The defining response has been pragmatic. Abate has rotated his forwards constantly, searching for a combination that can produce goals without compromising the defensive structure that keeps Torino competitive. The result has been a forward line that is functional, hard-working, and reliant on Adams for its cutting edge.
This is the story of Torino’s 2026/27 forwards: a Scottish international carrying the burden, a Croatian poacher making an impact from the bench, and a supporting cast of veterans still searching for their best form.
Tactical Context
Abate’s attacking system is built on directness and physicality. The forwards are expected to press from the front, hold up the ball when it arrives, and convert the few chances that come their way. There is no room for luxury players in this Torino side; every forward must contribute defensively.
The numbers reflect a unit that has been productive without being prolific. Torino scored 1.43 goals per game in the early part of the season, a return that reflected the team’s mid-table position rather than any attacking dominance. Adams has been the most consistent threat, with his three goals and 0.50 goals per match placing him among the league’s more efficient forwards. His 7.31 average rating reflects a player who is involved in build-up and contributes defensively.
The supporting cast has been less settled. Simeone has started seven of his eight appearances but has managed just two goals, with a 6.41 average rating. Kulenović, despite limited minutes, has scored twice—a rate of 1.33 per 90 minutes that suggests he deserves more opportunities. Zapata, now 35, has been restricted to three substitute appearances and 24 minutes.
The challenge for Abate is finding the right balance. Adams is the most reliable option, but he needs support. Simeone offers experience but has not delivered consistently. Kulenović offers a different profile—more of a penalty-box poacher—but has not been trusted with regular starts.
The Forwards
Ché Adams
Adams is Torino’s leading scorer and the focal point of Abate’s attack. The Scottish international, who stands at 175 cm, has started five of his six league appearances, accumulating 408 minutes.
His profile is that of a hard-working, mobile forward: capable of pressing defenders, holding up play, and arriving in the box. His three goals in six appearances represent a respectable return for a player adapting to Serie A, and his 0.50 goals per 90 minutes places him among the more efficient forwards in the division. His 7.31 average rating is the highest of any Torino forward.
His goal against Monza, a close-range finish, showcased his positioning and his instincts in the box. His overall contribution—11 shots, five on target—reflects a player who is getting into the right positions.
At 30, Adams is in his prime. He has the experience, the physical attributes, and the finishing ability to succeed in Serie A. The question is whether he can maintain this level of productivity as the season progresses—and whether Torino can keep him beyond the current campaign.
Giovanni Simeone
Simeone is the experienced alternative in Torino’s attack. The 31-year-old Argentine, who has spent much of his career in Italy, offers a different profile to Adams: more of a penalty-box presence, more reliant on service, and more experienced in the tactical demands of Serie A.
His 2026/27 numbers reflect a frustrating campaign: eight appearances, seven starts, 584 minutes, two goals, and a 6.41 average rating. He has taken 17 shots, four of which were on target, but has not yet found the consistency that defined his best seasons at Verona and Napoli.
At 31, Simeone is in the twilight of his prime. He has the pedigree—he has scored goals consistently throughout his career in Italy—but the lack of service and the rotation of the forward line have limited his impact. Whether he can rediscover his scoring touch as the season progresses remains to be seen.
Sandro Kulenović
Kulenović is the revelation of Torino’s forward line. The 26-year-old Croatian, who arrived from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer, has scored two goals in just 135 minutes of league football—a rate of 1.33 per 90 minutes that is the best in the squad.
His profile is that of a developing forward: tall, mobile, and capable of finishing chances. His 7.18 average rating reflects a player who has made an impact whenever called upon. His limited minutes—six appearances, all from the bench—suggest that Abate has been cautious about throwing him into the starting lineup, but his goal record makes a compelling case for more opportunities.
At 26, Kulenović is entering his prime. He has the physical attributes and the finishing ability to succeed in Serie A, but he needs regular football to develop. Whether he gets it at Torino remains to be seen.
Nikola Vlašić
Vlašić has been used primarily as a forward or attacking midfielder, but his contribution to the attacking structure has been significant. The 29-year-old Croatian has made eight appearances, starting seven, and accumulated 626 minutes, scoring one goal.
His profile is that of a versatile, technically gifted player who operates between the lines. His 6.77 average rating reflects a player who is involved in the attacking phases but has not yet found his best form. At 29, he is in his prime, and his experience is valuable in a squad that blends youth and veterans.
Duván Zapata
Zapata remains at the club, though his role has been reduced to that of a squad option. The 35-year-old Colombian has made three substitute appearances, accumulating just 24 minutes. At his age, and with his injury record, he is no longer a regular starter, but his experience and his physical presence provide Abate with a different option when required.
Zakaria Aboukhlal
Aboukhlal has been a peripheral figure in the early part of the season. The Moroccan international, who can play as a forward or wide midfielder, has made four appearances, all from the bench, accumulating 53 minutes. His season has been disrupted by a knee problem, and he has not yet had the opportunity to establish himself in Abate’s plans.
Alieu Njie
Njie is a young forward who has been included in the first-team squad. The 21-year-old Swedish prospect has made one appearance, accumulating 21 minutes. At his age, he is a development project rather than an immediate contributor, but his presence reflects Torino’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Torino Forward Serie A Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | G/M | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ché Adams | 6 (5) | 408 | 3 | 0 | 0.50 | 7.31 |
| Giovanni Simeone | 8 (7) | 584 | 2 | 0 | 0.25 | 6.41 |
| Sandro Kulenović | 6 (0) | 135 | 2 | 0 | 0.33 | 7.18 |
| Nikola Vlašić | 8 (7) | 626 | 1 | 0 | 0.13 | 6.77 |
| Duván Zapata | 3 (0) | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | — |
TABLE B: Torino Attacking Record (Serie A 2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 10 | After 7 matches |
| Goals per Game | 1.43 | — |
| Goals Conceded | 9 | 1.29 per game |
| League Position | 10th | 10 points from 7 matches |
| Top Scorer | Adams (3) | — |
TABLE C: Forward Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ché Adams | Scotland | Southampton, Birmingham City | Mobile forward, pressing, link-up play |
| Giovanni Simeone | Argentina | Napoli, Verona, Fiorentina | Penalty-box poacher, aerial presence |
| Sandro Kulenović | Croatia | Dinamo Zagreb | Developing forward, mobility, finishing |
| Nikola Vlašić | Croatia | West Ham, CSKA Moscow | Versatile forward, technical, operates between lines |
| Duván Zapata | Colombia | Atalanta, Sampdoria | Physical centre-forward, aerial dominance |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Torino’s forward line is a unit in transition. The foundation is Adams, but he has not yet delivered the goals that a team fighting for a comfortable mid-table finish requires. The supporting cast—Simeone, Kulenović, Vlašić—has contributed, but the balance between creating chances and finishing them has not been found.
The numbers tell a story of a team that scores enough to compete but not enough to dominate. Adams is the top scorer with three goals, but he needs support. Kulenović’s record from the bench—two goals in 135 minutes—suggests he deserves more opportunities. Simeone’s experience is valuable, but his output has been modest.
The January window may offer an opportunity to add a forward, but the club’s financial constraints make significant investment unlikely. Torino’s priority, according to reports, has been on other areas of the squad. For now, Abate must work with what he has: a Scottish international carrying the burden, a Croatian poacher making an impact from the bench, and a supporting cast of veterans still searching for their best form.
The Verdict from the Camp
FBref on Torino’s attacking record:
“Record: 3-1-3, 10 points (1.43 per game), 10th in Serie A… Goals: 10 (1.43 per game), Goals Against: 9 (1.29 per game), Diff: 1.”
StatMuse on Adams’ contribution:
“C. Adams: 3 goals, 2026-27, 7.31 rating, 6 matches, 408 minutes, 5 starts, 0.50 goals per match, 11 shots, 5 on target.”
FBref on Kulenović’s efficiency:
“Sandro Kulenović: 6 matches, 0 starts, 135 minutes, 2 goals, 1.33 goals per 90.”
Where Next?
Torino’s forward priority is clarity. Adams is the most reliable option, but he needs support. Kulenović’s record from the bench makes a compelling case for more opportunities. Simeone’s experience is valuable, but his output must improve. Vlašić’s versatility is an asset, but he has not yet found his best form.
The January window may offer an opportunity to add a forward, but the club’s financial situation suggests that any addition will be pragmatic rather than transformative. For now, Abate must find a way to get more from the players he has—to turn Adams’ industry into goals, Kulenović’s promise into consistent performances, and Simeone’s experience into a reliable threat.
The record books show a team that is competing in Serie A. The challenge for Torino is to turn that competition into consistent results—and the forward line is where that transformation must begin.
