Italy: Belghali finds himself with a golden opportunity at Torino

Oct 5, 2026

Arriving in Turin in the final hours of the last summer transfer window, Rafik Belghali could soon see his situation change. Used sparingly since his arrival, the Algerian international may benefit from a set of circumstances to gain more playing time and, importantly, move closer to a starting position.

The muscle injury of Niccolò Fortini, who had to leave the Italy U21 camp, is indeed disrupting Ignazio Abate's plans on the right flank. This absence could present an interesting opportunity for Belghali, who seems to be one of the natural solutions to fill this position in the upcoming match against Udinese.

The Algerian full-back, however, did not arrive in Turin with a starting status. Signed from Hellas Verona on loan with an obligation to buy, he has so far had to settle for three appearances, totaling 114 minutes. While this playing time is still limited, it has not prevented him from making a positive first impression.

During his debut in Torino colors, Belghali notably provided an assist after coming on against Fiorentina, directly contributing to his team's victory. This performance allowed him to prove that he could quickly make an impact in attack.

Now, the Algerian could have a much more significant opportunity. A potential start against Udinese would give him the chance to progress in his adaptation to Italian football and, above all, to put pressure on the established hierarchy.

It is up to him to seize this chance to convince Abate that his profile deserves more than a substitute role. A strong performance could thus change the dynamics of his early weeks in Turin and truly kickstart his adventure in Serie A.

DZfoot