Torino manager Giampiero Ventura has played down suggestions he is at loggerheads with the club's fans.
The club's home form has been unimpressive this season and the Granata are winless in their last five matches at the Stadio Olimpico.
Comments made by Ventura recently have been interpreted as a sign of his displeasure with the Torino faithful but, speaking ahead of Wednesday's trip to face Lazio in Serie A, he played down such speculation.
"I think there was a miscommunication on my part. The fans have been the most important factor since I came to Turin, I cannot criticize them.
"If my words were misinterpreted, I'm sorry. The club, in my opinion, can not be separated from the fans and we must work to make sure that they are proud of us.
"I say there is no rift with the fans, in the strongest terms."
Ventura, whose team sit 13th in the league after taking one point from their last three games, will be without at least two first-team regulars.
"(Angelo) Ogbonna will not start because he is not yet in a position to do 90 minutes," said Ventura.
"I think he will rejoin us on Thursday, in principle.
"Sure, I'm not happy to be missing him but I cannot do anything. (Giuseppe) Vives is also not available because of a bruised knee."
Injury and suspension have left Lazio without goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and midfielders Hernanes, Ederson and Claudio Ledesma.
Albano Bizzarri is set to take the gloves, with Sergio Floccari likely to get the nod to partner Miroslav Klose up front in a revised 4-4-2 formation.
Manager Vladimir Petkovic was not willing to divulge his plans though.
"I have a few options in mind," he said.
"Tomorrow we will decide. We are still in a very good position in the table and there are so many games to play. "
