Torino defender Rafik Belghali is positioned for an extended run in Serie A following a muscle injury to teammate Niccolò Fortini, according to reports from DZfoot. The Algeria international, who joined the Turin club during the final hours of the summer transfer window from Hellas Verona on an initial loan with an obligation to buy, has played just 114 minutes across three appearances since his arrival.
Fortini sustained his injury while away with the Italy U21 national team, forcing him to leave the squad and disrupting manager Ignazio Abate’s defensive plans on the right flank. That absence creates a natural opening for Belghali as the squad prepares for its upcoming fixture against Udinese.
Early Impact Off the Bench Highlights Potential
Despite limited playing time under Abate, Belghali has already demonstrated his capacity to influence matches in the attacking third. During his debut for the club against Fiorentina, the right-sided player entered as a substitute and delivered a crucial assist that contributed directly to a Torino victory.
That initial flash of production showed the coaching staff what the former Hellas Verona player could provide down the flank. However, the subsequent weeks proved quiet as he adapted to the tactical demands of Italian top-flight football, remaining behind established options in the squad hierarchy.
Udinese Match Presents Opportunity to Alter Hierarchy
An expected starting assignment against Udinese would mark a significant milestone in Belghali’s ongoing integration into Serie A. A strong performance in the upcoming fixture would give Abate tangible evidence that the Algerian wing-back deserves a regular role rather than continuous substitute appearances.
With Fortini sidelined for the near future, the path is clear for the summer arrival to stake a permanent claim on the right side of Torino’s formation.
Worth a look
