Serie A Preview: Torino – Juventus
Torino (16th Serie A, 4 points) v Juventus (3rd Serie A, 10 points)
When: Sunday, 30th September, kick-off 2030 local (CET)
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Derby Della Mole
The last time this derby was played was in the 2002/03 season when the Bianconeri defeated Torino 4-0 and 2-0 in the two games. The Granata then went on to be relegated during that year and since then Turin did not have any other derby game.
Now that it is back, the whole city is full of enthusiasm ahead of Sunday evening’s clash which goes beyond the important of the league positions and points, as the pride of the city colours is at stake, being the Granata ones or the Bianconeri ones.
Difficult Situation
Coach Claudio Ranieri is facing the difficult task of assembling the best eleven for this game as he has five first team players all out due to injuries or suspensions, with many problems in the defensive line-up, even though the rearguard showed some signs of improvement against Reggina on Wednesday.
Still the motivation and grit that the Juventus players have shown so far this season has been impressive and was highlighted by an eloquent gesture of Gigi Buffon at the end of the match against Cagliari.
Despite everything, the Bianconeri are just one point away from the league leader Roma and Inter, and a positive result in that game can further motivate the Old Lady to grab all three points against the Granata.
Cuore Granata
Torino are renowned for using their 'cuore granata’ (granata heart) especially in such games against Juventus, where they give all their best till the very end to obtain a positive result. They will surely need this when considering the latest results which have been quite disappointing.
Their last win arrived in the Coppa Italia against Rimini over a month ago and in Serie A Walter Novellino’s team is languishing in the bottom positions. This was supposed to be a different season than last year’s but things do not look very positive for Torino.
FORM GUIDE
Torino
Parma - Torino 2 - 0 26/09/2007 SERIE A
Torino - Siena 1 - 1 23/09/2007 SERIE A
Palermo - Torino 1 - 1 16/09/2007 SERIE A
Torino - Reggina 2 - 2 02/09/2007 SERIE A
Torino - Rimini 3 - 2 29/08/2007 COPPA ITALIA
Lazio - Torino 2 - 2 25/08/2007 SERIE A
Juventus
Juventus - Reggina 4 - 0 26/09/2007 SERIE A
Roma - Juventus 2 - 2 23/09/2007 SERIE A
Juventus - Udinese 0 - 1 16/09/2007 SERIE A
Cagliari - Juventus 2 - 3 02/09/2007 SERIE A
Parma - Juventus 1 - 3 29/08/2007 COPPA ITALIA
Juventus - Livorno 5 - 1 25/08/2007 SERIE A
TEAM NEWS
Torino
Novellino will have to watch his players from the stands as he is suspended, whereas Franceschini, Lazetic, Vailatti, Stellone and Di Loreto are all ruled out due to injuries.
Di Michele is still suspended till the 30th of October.
Probable Formation (4-3-2-1): Sereni, Comotto, Natali, Dellafiore, Lanna, Grella, Corini, Barone, Rosina, Recoba, Ventola
Juventus
The Bianconeri will be without the injured Marchionni, Boumsong, Camoranesi, Andrade and Iaquinta, who did not manage to recover in time for this clash.
Zebina is still suspended, whereas Zanetti is just one yellow card away from suspension.
Probable Formation (4-4-2): Buffon, Grygera, Legrottaglie, Criscito, Chiellini, Salihamidzic, Nocerino, Zanetti, Nedved, Trezeguet, Del Piero
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Recoba (Torino)
He's the player that Ranieri fears the most, and with his Inter past, he will surely try to score against the Nerazzurri and Granata's most hated rivals. Can either be the man of the match or anonymous throughout the game: no way in between.
Del Piero (Juventus)
Pinturicchio will need to prove his doubters wrong following some disappointing performances of late. What better occasion than the Turin derby to show he is still good enough to compete at these levels?
PREDICTION
Derbies are always difficult to predict, especially such a heated one like the 'Derby della Mole'. Juventus start off as favourites and judging from previous derbies, this match looks like it will be a high scoring one.
Torino 2 - 3 Juventus
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