“Derbies Do Not Wait for Permission”: Juventus Must Keep Torino at Bay
Second-placed Juventus host sixth-placed Torino on Sunday, 11 May, with the city rivalry sharpened by a tight title chase and two away absentees.
Juventus host Torino on Sunday, 11 May. But this one arrives with the numbers impossible to ignore: Juventus are second on 83 points after 35 matches, while Torino sit sixth on 55. The Bianconeri have five games left and cannot afford to treat the old rivalry as a sideshow.
Juventus have won 26 league matches and lost only four, and their recent form reads WDLWW. They are two league games unbeaten since their defeat by Frosinone on 20 April. Torino also come in with WDLWW and two unbeaten, but their season has been far less relentless: 15 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats. Their last meeting, on 22 December, was settled by Yeremay Escobar’s goal in the 90th minute of added time, giving Juventus a 1-0 victory. The previous two encounters were a 1-1 draw and a 3-0 Juventus win.
Torino are expected to be without Dario Ceglia and José Ríos, regulars who featured in the December defeat. Their likely shape has changed since then, from a 5-2-3 to a 5-2-2-1. Juventus are expected to keep their familiar 4-3-3, though Luis Aguirre may again make way for Ale Pozo. The Bianconeri’s 83 points exceed their expected total of 80.7; Torino’s 55 are close to the 55.6 their chances suggest. No fortune argument can settle this derby. Juventus have the stronger position; Torino have every reason to make them earn it.