Torino vs. Juventus | Serie A | Pre Match

Juventus Seek to Extend Dominance in Turin Derby

Aiming to maintain their long-standing supremacy in the Turin derby, Juventus will visit their city rivals Torino on Saturday evening in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter. This historic rivalry, which dates back to 1929, will see its 183rd edition as Juventus looks to protect their unbeaten record in Serie A this season and extend their dominance over Torino, a feat spanning over two decades. Currently, the Bianconeri boast a formidable 21-match unbeaten run against their neighbors in the league, a streak that underlines their superiority in the Derby della Mole.

November's clash at the Allianz Stadium marked yet another chapter in Juventus's dominance, as they secured a 2-0 victory over Torino. Goals from Timothy Weah and Kenan Yildiz not only sealed the win but also ensured Juve's 19th consecutive home game without a loss to their city rivals, reinforcing their unmatched record in the derby. Despite this impressive form, Juventus enters the upcoming fixture with a point to prove after suffering a rare setback in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals last week. The defeat to AC Milan, marked by a clumsy penalty concession from Manuel Locatelli and an unfortunate own goal by Federico Gatti, was their first in domestic competition this season and left them smarting as they aim to bounce back in style.

Challenges for Both Camps

While Juventus's domestic campaign has been characterized by resilience and consistency, Torino's season has been riddled with frustration and underperformance. Thiago Motta's side, despite an 18-match unbeaten streak in Serie A, has struggled to convert draws into wins, with their most recent outing—a 2-2 stalemate against Fiorentina—highlighting their inability to close out games. Fiorentina's late equalizer in the 87th minute denied Torino a much-needed victory, leaving them trailing behind Italy's top four as they approach the midpoint of the season.

For Torino, the stakes in this derby are sky-high. Losing to Juventus yet again would deepen their woes and add to their dismal record against their rivals, having won just one of their last 36 meetings. That solitary victory came in April 2015 when Matteo Darmian and Fabio Quagliarella found the net in a rare triumph. Since then, Juventus has maintained an iron grip on the derby, underscoring the gulf in quality and mental fortitude between the two sides.

Vanoli's Struggles and Torino's Woes

Paolo Vanoli's tenure as Torino's head coach began with promise but has since been marred by a significant downturn in form. The Granata's inability to win their final match of the calendar year for the eighth consecutive season and their goalless draw against struggling Parma in their first game of 2025 reflect a worrying trend. With wins becoming increasingly elusive, pressure is mounting on Vanoli to reverse the team's fortunes. Currently, Torino's points tally is six shy of their halfway mark from last season, a statistic that underscores their regression. In fact, only once in their last 11 Serie A campaigns have they recorded fewer points at this stage of the season.

The attacking struggles of Torino have been particularly glaring, with just four goals scored across their last 10 league matches. Compounding their problems is a lackluster home record, with only two wins secured at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino so far. As they prepare to host Juventus, Torino finds themselves as clear underdogs, needing a herculean effort to turn the tide in their favor.

Injury Concerns and Squad Dynamics

Both sides face significant injury concerns heading into this highly anticipated derby. Juventus may have to do without star striker Dusan Vlahovic, who is nursing a muscular issue, and Francisco Conceicao, who has been sidelined with a thigh problem. Additionally, Manuel Locatelli's suspension, along with long-term injuries to Arkadiusz Milik, Bremer, and Juan Cabal, leaves coach Massimiliano Allegri with a thinner squad. The potential mid-season exit of veteran defender Danilo adds further uncertainty to their defensive setup.

Meanwhile, Torino is grappling with its own injury woes. The possible absence of Saul Coco and midfield linchpin Samuele Ricci, both of whom picked up knocks in the draw against Parma, would deal a significant blow to their chances. Furthermore, long-term absentees Perr Schuurs and Duvan Zapata leave the Granata short of reliable options in attack. In Zapata's absence, strikers Che Adams, Yann Karamoh, and Antonio Sanabria will be tasked with leading the line, but their collective lack of form raises concerns about Torino's ability to penetrate Juventus's defense.

The Battle Ahead

As the derby looms, Juventus will be determined to reassert their dominance and extend their unbeaten streak against Torino. Their solid performances this season, coupled with a psychological edge in the derby, make them firm favorites. However, Allegri will be mindful of his side's recent slip-up in the Supercoppa Italiana and the potential complacency that can arise from a long-standing winning record.

For Torino, the derby represents an opportunity to reignite their campaign and restore pride in front of their home fans. A victory against their bitter rivals could serve as a turning point in an otherwise underwhelming season. However, with their attacking struggles and defensive vulnerabilities, they face an uphill battle against a Juventus side that remains one of the toughest teams to break down in Serie A.

As both teams take to the pitch, the stakes are as high as ever. For Juventus, it's about maintaining their legacy of dominance in the Turin derby and keeping their Serie A ambitions on track. For Torino, it's a chance to defy the odds and claim a historic victory that could lift the spirits of their beleaguered supporters. One thing is certain: the Derby della Mole will once again capture the hearts and minds of football fans in Turin and beyond.