What: Italian Serie A
Who: Juventus vs Torino
When: Saturday 1st December, 2012, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
Still in Front
Despite having suffered a second defeat in the current league season, this time to AC Milan, Juventus still top Serie A, two points ahead of Napoli. Now, Antonio Conte’s side must prepare for the all-important Derby della Mole, or Turin derby, in a match where pride counts more than points. With Napoli on their trail, faults could be costly now for La Vecchia Signora.
Given the way Juventus dismantled Champions League title holders Chelsea, their fans would have been forgiven for thinking that the league defeat to fierce foes Inter was a thing of the past. However, the current Serie A champions could not cut the mustard against the other half of Milan, falling short against the Rossoneri last weekend.
History favours the Bianconeri in this derby though, as they have won 33 out of 67 games when playing against the Granata – with 16 losses in total. With Torino’s last win dating back all the way to 1995, history does not smile often for the seven-time Serie A champions on this occasion.
Derby Return
For the first time in three years, Torino have made a return to Serie A. However, this comeback could have been a lot better as the side currently sit in 14th position, only four points clear of the relegation zone. Hardly a good result for a team that have been champions of Italy before – Torino are a long way off those golden days.
Torino have only won once on the road so far this league term and that was against Atalanta on 30th September. Since then, the Clarets have recorded five draws and a loss away from home. To add insult to injury, they have won just one of their last eight league games; a 1-0 victory over 19th-placed Bologna.
With a near full strength squad to choose from, coach Giampiero Ventura has his options open. A win against rivals Juventus would undoubtedly be the ideal event for Torino to kick-start their season.
Recent form
Juventus:
Juventus 0-0 Lazio (17/11; Serie A)
Juventus 3-0 Chelsea (20/11; Champions League)
AC Milan 1-0 Juventus (25/11; Serie A)
Torino:
Roma 2-0 Torino (19/11; Serie A)
Torino 2-2 Fiorentina (25/11; Serie A)
Siena 2-0 Torino (28/11; Coppa Italia)
Key absences
Juventus: Giorgio Chiellini (doubt)
Torino: Riccardo Meggiorini (doubt); Marko Bakic
Players to watch
Juventus – Claudio Marchisio: Marchisio is one of Juventus’ most important pillars in the centre of the pitch and his solid understanding with Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal is one of the team’s main assets. His side rarely fails to get results when he is at his very best.
Torino – Jean-Francois Gillet: The Belgian shot-stopper will have a hard night ahead of him as he prepares to meet one of Serie A’s most potent attacking units. Keeping a clean sheet against Juventus would be a personal victory for the 33-year-old.
Match Prediction
There is a vast difference between the two sides going into this Turin derby. Juventus have tasted their second loss in the league and have no choice but to win at the risk of losing the table leadership. With home advantage, they should get the result they need.
