The derby you don't expect. Juventus and Turin meet for the second time in a few weeks and this, in itself, is good news. The truly unusual thing, however, is the setting, that Coppa Italia which rarely brought black and white and grenade to the same ring. In fact, of the 189 precedents overall, only 16 concern the national cup and the last one dates back to 22 years ago: it was 21 March 1993 and a draw (2-2 with goals from Poggi and Aguilera) was enough for Turin to conquer Juventus' Delle Alpi and reach Roma in the final.
Today the story is different and not just because the holders of the trophy are the black and whites. The formula has changed and therefore, for the first time in time immemorial, Juve and Toro will play for the stake in the one-off match in the Stadium basin. One but very heavy hand, a sort of all-in that will decide, at least until the next championship derby, the color of an entire city.
“It will be a difficult and complicated challenge – thought Allegri. – Both teams are doing well and both want to win to get through the round. Toro are complicated to deal with, they make their opponents play badly and then this will be a one-off match”. In short, maximum respect, on the other hand, the Tuscan coach has always suffered in the Mole derby. Out of 3 played, he won 2, this is true, but both were won after injury time (Pirlo in the 96th minute and Cuadrado in the 94th minute) while the third was won by Toro, who thus interrupted an abstinence that lasted almost 20 years.
Thanks above all to Ventura, capable of bringing the grenades back to being competitive in a way that hasn't happened for a long (too) long time. In short, David and Goliath are no longer that far away but that doesn't mean that Juve aren't the favourites. Also because Allegri's team is experiencing a golden moment, which ironically began with the victory in the championship derby. That October Saturday started a ride that brought 6 consecutive victories, a much better ranking and, if possible, even higher morale.
The Scudetto is once again a concrete goal, which is why Allegri, while respecting the competition, will keep an eye on Sunday's match against Carpi. The idea is to confirm the 3-5-2 of the last outings but a return to 4-3-1-2 cannot be ruled out, perhaps taking advantage of the return of Hernanes, able again and enlisted after a month's absence. The turnover will affect all departments: goal, defence, midfield and attack.
Neto will be seen between the posts, in front of him the eagerly awaited Rugani together with two of Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini. On the wings it will be the turn of Lichtsteiner and Alex Sandro (both on the bench with Fiorentina), there in the middle instead of an ordinance median with Khedira, Marchisio and Pogba. In attack, a safe bench for Dybala: the place alongside the safe Morata is contested by Zaza and Mandzukic.
Some doubts also for Giampiero Ventura, forced to divide himself between the desire for the derby and Sunday's match against Udinese. His 3-5-2 should develop with the young Ichazo in goal, Bovo, Glik and Moretti in defense, Bruno Peres, Acquah, Vives, Baselli and Molinaro in midfield, Quagliarella and Baselli (favorite over Maxi Lopez) in attack.
