Torino take the gamble on Rafa Obrador to help them stop leaking goals

Torino are in the midst of a relegation battle, which arguably involves half of the league, but Rafa Obrador could help them steady the ship.

Torino, who are currently 14th, have conceded a division-high 34 goals across the current top-flight campaign – the same amount as bottom-of-the-table Verona.

We look at whether the latest addition to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino can fire them away from playing their football in Serie B next season for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign.

Does a lack of experience mean Torino are taking a risk on Rafa Obrador?

Signing on the dotted line at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino from Benfica on loan until the end of the current campaign, Obrador is still maturing on and off the pitch at the age of 21. 

Previously part of the Real Madrid Castilla and Deportivo set-ups before moving to Portugal, the Spain Under 21s international has only made three appearances across all competitions this season. 

So could it be seen as Torino slightly taking a bit of a risk on Obrador, even on a short-term deal until the end of the season?

Despite arguably being able to fall back on the fact that he is still progressing in life, Obrador has still made over 100 professional appearances across all competitions.

His recent performances saw the Spaniard feature in LaLiga 2 last season for Deportivo de La Coruña, after representing his former temporary employers in 33 out of a possible 42 matches. 

Deportivo finished down in 15th position last season after conceding 54 goals across those aforementioned games.

He also played a large number of matches in the Primera Federación – Gr. II for Real Castilla, taking to the pitch 34 times across that particular campaign. 

As discussed, Torino have flooded goals this season, primarily due to their leaky defence. 

Can Obrador help stop the leak in Torino’s defence?

Manager Marco Baroni currently has Adrien Tameze, Saúl Coco, Guillermo Maripán, Ardian Ismajli, and Marcus Pedersen to help goalkeeper Paleari avoid picking the ball from the back of the net.

However, the Italian shot-stopper has constantly been a recent visitor to that very place throughout the current top-flight campaign.

In terms of Obrador’s potential implementation into Torino’s starting XI, a 3-5-2 formation seemingly is Baroni’s formation of choice. Seemingly, the left-back will potentially slot into either his natural defensive position or be employed further forward as a wing-back. 

In either case, Tameze or Valentino Lazaro could find themselves looking over their shoulders at the incoming sight of Obrador instead of seeing attackers bypass them this season.

While Torino have secured the signing of Obrador, Baroni will surely want to avoid losing Zakaria Aboukhlal. The winger has recently been deployed as a right wing-back, so after reportedly being link with Nantes in our Ligue 1 transfer talk, the Moroccan’s potential departure would surely be unproductive.