Night for strong hearts at the Juventus Stadium. In fact, the Juventus feud will host the Mole derby number 226, the 161st in the league. Whatever happens, it will be a historic evening, because for the first time an Italian derby will be staged in "separate stadiums", in the wake of what usually happens abroad. The eve was filled with expectations, perhaps more for Toro, who has always been more sensitive to the derby atmosphere, than for Juve, already projected in Donetsk, where the continuation in the Champions League will be played on Wednesday. But the bianconeri cannot afford too many distractions, not after the defeat in Milan, which dangerously brought Napoli closer in the standings. The derby then, as we know, is worth double, especially for those who experience it every day. That's why Claudio Marchisio took the floor on the eve, someone who, having been born in Turin and raised in the Juventus youth sector, feels this challenge more than anyone else. “We have been waiting for this match for a long time, not only us, but also the Toro players, our fans, the city, it is nice to relive such an important challenge – explained the “Principino” with a touch of emotion. – It's not important just because it's the derby, but also because we want to make up for it after the match against Milan. We know it's very important to them, but it's definitely not the least for us. It's being played in our stadium for the first time, so we know we have the crowd on our side and we'll try to give our best."
In short, no distractions from the Champions League, at least for the players. Because Conte, ever closer to returning to the bench (it will take place next Sunday in Palermo), will certainly make some turnover. In defense there is the doubt Chiellini, returned to availability a few days ago: "King Kong" is one for the derby, but Conte could save him in view of Donetsk. In any case, the decision will be made only at the last minute, based on the player's conditions. The department that will change the most, however, will be the midfield, which compared to the match against Milan could see 3 new faces out of 5. The bruised Vidal will be rested and his place will be filled by Pogba, while Lichtsteiner and a between Jackets and De Ceglie. Only bench therefore for Isla (rejected at San Siro) and Asamoah, so far one of the most used. Doubts also in attack, where the only one sure to play is Sebastian Giovinco. The other shirt is contested by Vucinic and Quagliarella, with the Montenegrin slightly favored.
On the Turin front, no doubts about training and a great desire to go back to winning the derby. The last joy in this sense dates back to April 9, 1995, when a brace from Ruggero Rizzitelli defeated Marcello Lippi's army. Since then, 12 games (the two teams haven't met very often) and no less than 8 victories for Juventus, the last one on 7 March 2009, signed by a header from Chiellini.
Giampiero Ventura knows it won't be easy, but he trusts in the classic "Toro heart": "They are a steamroller, they have lost three times in 63 games. And they will be very concentrated and very determined, given that they are having an important week, between the derby and the Champions League. But it is said that the derby is a different game from the others, right? And if we do things right…”.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giaccarini; Vucinic, Giovinco.
On the bench: Storari, Rubinho, Lucio, Marrone, Isla, De Ceglie, Vidal, Padoin, Asamoah, Pepe, Bendtner, Matri, Quagliarella.
Trainer: Antonio Conte (suspended, Angelo Alessio on the bench).
Unavailable: Caceres.
Disqualified: nobody.
Turin (4-2-4): Gillet; Darmian, Glik, Ogbonna, D'Ambrosio; Basha, Gazzi; Cerci, Bianchi, Meggiorini, Santana.
On the bench: Gomis, Di Cesare, Rodriguez, Agostini, Masiello, Brighi, Birsa, Stevanovic, Sgrigna, Verdi, Vives, Sansone.
Trainer: Giampiero Ventura.
Unavailable: Bakic.
Disqualified: nobody.
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Florence).
Line Assistants: Manganelli-Tonolini.
Port Assistants: Romeo-Ciampi.
Fourth official: Empty.
