The first time is always an unknown, and that's why it manages to arouse curiosity and fear at the same time. The same goes for this Turin derby, which overlaps completely new circumstances. On Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico (the old Comunale, even the location evokes romance) Toro and Juve play their respective seasons. With a success, the grenades could reach salvation, the bianconeri the scudetto. The goals are also linked to the results of the respective rivals, especially as regards the Old Lady, whose title depends on Napoli, engaged today on the Pescara field. If the Azzurri were to snatch the three points, the party would be postponed, regardless of the result of the derby. This is what the leaders of the Prefecture and Lega Calcio are hoping for (but no one will ever admit it publicly), terrified of the public order contraindications that a Juventus championship could have in the grenade stadium. However, the fans don't think so: the Juventus players (especially those from Turin) would reach the paradise of the senses in celebrating the title in front of their more unfortunate cousins. Which, for their part, would see one of the greatest nightmares ever materialize, provided that the party is not ruined. Then yes, the afternoon of Toro would become memorable, of those to be remembered in the history books (of football). Speeches that somewhat leave the time they find (if they don't win Juve tomorrow they will only postpone the party, and even the salvation of the grenades now seems to have been done), but on the other hand the derbies are separate matches, and it is not a place common.
In the bars of the city they talk about nothing else, and the double risk (winning therefore enjoying, or losing and sinking into shame) grips the two banks of the Po. Seeing the pre-sale is believing: it's almost sold out (only a few remain hundreds of tickets), with Torino that could celebrate the attendance (and box office) record at the Olimpico. In recent days the rumor had spread that it was above all the Juventus fans who bought the tickets, but from the Toro home they let it be known (with a pinch of pride) that 80% of the stadium will be grenade. A fundamental warmth to attempt what would be a feat to all intents and purposes. The leaders are undoubtedly the strongest team in the championship, they are experiencing an extraordinary moment of form (we are on 6 consecutive victories), and they also don't seem to fear the derby effect that much. On the other hand, the numbers speak for themselves: Toro hasn't won a derby since the now distant 9 April 1995 (1-2 at Juve, two goals from Rizzitelli). Since then, also thanks to Serie B, the teams have met 13 times, with 9 black and white victories and 4 draws. Juventus then comes from 3 consecutive successes, the last one at the Stadium last December, a dry 3-0 which did not allow for replies. The legendary "Toro heart" (that of the 3-2 comeback in March 1983, but also of the 3-3 in 2001, complete with a missed penalty by Salas in the 90th minute) seems to have lost its way. Will he be able to find himself right in the derby of the verdicts?
