Juventus 4-1 Torino

Torino lost their third consecutive game as they were heavily beaten 4-1 on Saturday afternoon by Juventus in the Derby Della Mole.

Moreno Longo surprisingly omitted both Nicolas Nkoulou and Tomas Rincon from the starting eleven, and it quickly looked to be a mistake.

The Granata were behind after only three minutes, as Paulo Dybala walzed his way through the Toro defence and his deflected shot beat Salvatore Sirigu.

Toro had reacted relatively well to that early set back but were then hit on the counter attack from their own corner and Juan Cuadrado doubled the home side's lead.

On the stroke of half time, Toro were awarded a penalty via VAR after Matthijs de Ligt was harshly adjudged to have handled Simone Verdi's long range shot. Andrea Belotti stepped up and converted the penalty to reduce the deficit.

The Granata were then denied an equaliser in the early stages of the 2nd half as Simone Verdi's goal was ruled out due to Andrea Belotti being offside when his effort had hit the bar.

With half an hour remaining, the game was effectively over as a contest after Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first free kick for the club.

In the dying stages of the match, substitute Koffi Djidji scored an own goal under no pressure to cap a day to forget for the Granata. 

Juventus v Torino Preview

Torino will make the short trip across the city to the Allianz Arena for a surreal Derby Della Mole behind closed doors, with the match being vital to each team.

As 9/1 underdogs, not many people are giving Torino much hope of picking up a result as they desperately attempt to move away from relegation trouble.

One slight hope for Granata fans is that they have managed to avoid defeat in two of their last three visits to the Allianz Arena, with the sides drawing 1-1 in this fixture last season.

Earlier this season, Juventus were narrow 1-0 winners in a controversial affair in which Toro were denied a penalty for an apparent hand ball by Matthijs de Ligt.

The home side will also be desperate for points as they are currently only four points clear of Lazio at the top of Serie A.

Forza Toro

Torino 0-1 Juventus

Torino had a much improved performance but fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Juventus in the Derby Della Mole.

Bremer replaced the suspended Nicolas Nkoulou in defence, whilst Tomas Rincon returned to the starting eleven following injury.

Toro thought they should have had a penalty in the opening stages, when Matthijs de Ligt handled Andrea Belotti's flick on - however the referee waved away Torino's appeal.

At the other end, Salvatore Sirigu made a good save to deny Paulo Dybala after good work from Federico Bernardeschi.

Torino's best chance of the first half came when Andrea Belotti cut the ball back for Soualiho Meïté, but the French midfielder blazed the ball over the bar.

Just before half time, Sirigu once again came to the rescue as he made a miraculous save to deny De Ligt opening the scoring from close range.

At the start of second half, the Toro goalkeeper made another sensational save, this time to deny Cristiano Ronaldo. Sirigu was once again the saviour for Torino as he tipped an excellent volley from substitute Gonzalo Higuain over the bar.

However, from that resulting corner, Juventus finally took the lead as a deep corner was knocked back for Matthijs De Ligt to volley home.

Toro almost equalised immediately, as Cristian Ansaldi's slalomed through the Juve defence before finally being denied by Wojciech Szczęsny.

The Granata thought they had an injury time equaliser, after an excellent finish from Bremer, but the Brazilian was flagged offside.

Forza Toro!

Juventus 1-1 Torino

Torino came close to securing their first away win in a Turin derby since 1995, but were cruelly denied late on.

Bremer made his first start for the club as he replaced the suspended Emiliano Moretti in defence, whilst Sasa Lukic was preferred to Daniele Baselli in midfield.

Toro made a bright start, and Wojciech Szczęsny was forced to make an early save to deny Andrea Belotti. The Granata got their reward for their positive play, and took the lead after seventeen minutes when Sasa Lukic capitalised on a Miralem Pjanic error and curled the ball into the top corner.

The home side reacted well, and Salvatore Sirigu made a good save to deny Blaise Matuidi, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo narrowly fired a shot wide of the post.

In the second half, substitute Ola Aina almost made the perfect entrance, as he almost doubled Toro's lead within seconds of coming on, but the Nigerian international's shot went over the bar.

With just six minutes remaining, Toro finally succumbed to the Juventus pressure as Leonardo Spinazzola's cross was expertly headed home by Ronaldo.

The Granata had to settle for a point, which they certainly would have taken pre-match, but they will be left wondering what could have been.

Forza Toro

Juventus v Torino Preview

Torino travel to face their neighbours Juventus in the Derby Della Mole on Friday evening hoping to prolong their hopes of Champions League qualification.

The Granata have won their last two games, and a third consecutive victory would put them, temporarily at least, into 4th place.

Emiliano Moretti is suspended, so Bremer could replace the experienced defender, whilst Daniele Baselli will be pushing for a return to the starting eleven following his own suspension.

Juventus have already sealed an 8th successive Scudetto, but should be motivated to prevent their rivals having the local bragging rights.

Forza Toro

Torino 0-1 Juventus

Torino once again suffered Derby Della Mole heartbreak as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to
Juventus.

Toro were dealt a blow as Iago Falque missed out through injury, so he was replaced upfront by Simone Zaza.

Juventus had a great chance to take the lead however Cristiano Ronaldo's volley was tipped round the post by Salvatore Sirigu. Sirigu was struggling even to make that save after suffering an injury after a collision with Emre Can, and he was replaced in goal by Salvador Ichazo.

At the other end, Andrea Belotti's clever knock back from a corner almost gave Armando Izzo a chance to score, but the ball was smothered by a combination of Juventus defenders and Mattia Perin.

In the second half, Torino thought they should have had a penalty when Simone Zaza was clearly dragged back by Alex Sandro in the area. However, referee Marco Guida failed to consult VAR and waved play on. 

At the other end, Ichazo was proving to be an able deputy and made an excellent save to deny Blaise Matuidi from close range.

However, the turning point occurred with twenty minutes remaining when Juventus were awarded a penalty after Ichazo upended Mario Mandzukic after Simone Zaza's weak back pass allowed the Croatian to intercept.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the penalty, but was then booked following an incident where he made contact with goalkeeper Ichazo as part of his celebration. 

Mario Mandzukic had a goal of his own disallowed for offside, but even that reprieve could not save Toro as they were unable to find an equaliser and fell to another derby defeat. 

Forza Toro

Torino v Juventus Preview

Torino host city rivals Juventus in the 'Derby Della Mole' on Saturday evening, with the Granata hoping to give their fans the perfect Christmas present.

Toro's record in this fixture makes depressing reading for Torino fans, with only one victory since 1995 which came three years ago thanks to goals from Matteo Darmian and Fabio Quagliarella.

Ola Aina may continue at right wing back, whilst Iago Falque picked up an injury in training so could miss out.

Juventus' recent dominance of Italian football shows no signs of abating as they are currently eight points clear at the top of the Serie A table. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start and experience a Turin derby for the first time.

Forza Toro

Torino 0-1 Juventus

Torino's miserable Derby Della Mole record continued on Sunday afternoon as the Granata fell to a 1-0 defeat.

As expected, Walter Mazzarri chose to reinforce the midfield with Cristian Ansaldi coming into a 4-1-4-1 formation, and M'Baye Niang dropping to the bench.

The away side were dealt an early blow when Gonzalo Higuain was forced off the field with an injury after an innocuous clash with Salvatore Sirigu.

At the other end, Toro were struggling to create clear cut chances, but Andrea Belotti and Lorenzo De Silvestri did have half chances. Just after the half hour mark, Juventus did take the lead as Federico Bernardeschi crossed for Alex Sandro to convert.

In the second half, substitute Paulo Dybala should have doubled Juventus' lead on two occasions, but the Argentine striker clipped his shot wide of the target and then blazed over the crossbar when well placed.

Toro were once again unable to seriously test the Juventus backline, and whilst Iago Falque did manage a shot on target, it was easily saved by Wojciech Szczęsny as Torino were defeated by their rivals once again.

Forza Toro

Torino v Juventus Preview

Torino will host neighbours Juventus in the Derby Della Mole hoping for only a second derby victory since 1995.

Toro's last win in this fixture came just under three years ago as the Granata came from behind to win thanks to goals from Matteo Darmian and Fabio Quagliarella. However, Torino did come close to beating Juve away from home last season, although were denied by Gonzalo Higuian's late equaliser.

Walter Mazzarri is expected to utilise a 4-3-1-2 formation like he did to good effect against Sampdoria a fortnight ago, and that may mean that M'Baye Niang drops to the bench.

Juventus are in imperious domestic form, having won eight consecutive games, and have kept clean sheets in their last five Serie A matches. However, Tuesday's Champions League game against Tottenham showed that Juve can be vulnerable, as 'The Old Lady' threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2.

Forza Toro

Juventus v Torino Preview

Torino will travel to the Juventus Stadium for the second time this season as they look to progress to the Coppa Italia semi finals.

Toro, who last won the Coppa Italia twenty-five years ago will be looking to fare better than they did in the league fixture between the two sides in September, a 4-0 defeat for the Granata.

In mitigation for that defeat, Toro had Daniele Baselli sent off in the first half, and the midfielder ironically returns from suspension for this game. However, the Granata will once again be without key attackers Adem Ljajic and Andrea Belotti.

Rivals Juventus are looking for a fourth successive Coppa Italia triumph and are in good form, having not lost in the league since November, winning five of their last six matches.

Forza Toro

Juventus 4-0 Torino

It was a Derby Della Mole to forget for Torino as Daniele Baselli's early red card allowed Juventus to prevail with a comfortable 4-0 victory.

Cristian Ansaldi was preferred to Cristian Molinaro at left back whilst Lyanco kept his place after impressing in the victory at Udinese.

In the early stages, Juan Cuadrado's shot was tipped over the bar by Salvatore Sirigu, whilst Adem Ljajic fired a shot over the bar for the visitors.

The home side took the lead after sixteen minutes when Paulo Dybala capitalised on a mistake from former team mate Tomas Rincon and fired a low shot into the bottom corner from just outside the area.

Less than ten minutes later the turning point of the match occured when Daniele Baselli received a second yellow card for a wild challenge on Miralem Pjanic and Toro were reduced to ten men.

Five minutes before half time Juve doubled their lead with another strike from outside the area, with Miralem Pjanic sweeping the ball past Sirigu.

Any hopes of a memorable comeback were extinguished early in the second half as Alex Sandro headed home from a corner. The margin of victory could have been even greater had it not been for the excellent Sirigu who made fantastic saves to deny both Mehdi Benatia and Douglas Costa.

However, Juventus did add a fourth goal in injury time with Dybala scoring his second of the game to add to Torino's misery.

Forza Toro

Juventus 1-1 Torino

Torino suffered late Derby Della Mole heartbreak for the third consecutive season as Gonzalo Higuaín scored a 92nd minute equaliser to deny 10 man Toro a famous victory.

Emiliano Moretti partnered Luca Rossettini in the centre of defence, whilst Lucas Boyé was chosen in place of Juan Iturbe.

Juventus had the first chance of the game as Mehdi Benatia headed against the bar, whilst Leonardo Bonucci then blazed over from close range.

Joe Hart then made good saves to deny first Stephan Lichtsteiner, and then Paulo Dybala as Toro went in at the break level.

Seven minutes into the second half, Toro were awarded a free kick around twenty-five yards out when Kwadwo Asamoah handled the ball. Adem Ljajic stepped up and hit an inch perfect free kick into the top corner to give the Granata a shock lead.

However Toro's joy soon turned to dismay five minutes later when midfielder Afriyie Acquah was controversially dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Mario Mandžukić. Replays appeared to show that the Ghanaian midfielder did win the ball, and to make matters worse, Granata coach Siniša Mihajlović was dismissed from the touchline for his protestations.

Tomás Rincón and Sami Khedira both missed good chances for the home side, and just when it looked as though Toro may record a memorable victory, subsititute Higuaín struck.

The Argentine striker collected the ball just outside the area before hitting a fiece half-volley into the bottom corner to break Torino hearts. 

Torino 1-3 Juventus

Torino took an early lead in the Derby Della Mole but conceded two late goals as they succumbed to another defeat against Juventus.

There was a controversial moment in the opening stages as Andrea Belotti was pulled back by last man Daniele Rugani, but the referee waved play on.

However, Toro took the lead on sixteen minutes when Daniele Baselli's cut back was expertly headed home by Andrea Belotti. Unfortunately that lead did not last long as twelve minutes later the Granata were punished when Adem Ljajic lost possession on the half-way line and seconds later Gonzalo Higuain finished well past Joe Hart.

Torino were creating the better chances in the second half and Adem Ljajic came narrowly close to making amends for his earlier error, but his curling shot went just wide of the post. With ten minutes remaining Sinisa Mihajlovic made a treble change as he went in search of a winner, with strikers Josef Martinez and Lucas Boyé entering the field.

However, when play restarted, Juventus immediately took the lead when Gonzalo Higuain out muscled Antonio Barreca before volleying past Hart.

Juve scored another goal in the dying seconds as despite making excellent saves from Higuain and then Miralem Pjanic, Hart was unable to deny the Bosnian for a second time as he added a third . This meant the final scoreline was unfair on Toro who had matched the Champions for eighty minutes, and had their chances to take the lead earlier in the game.

Forza Toro

Torino v Juventus Preview

Torino head into Sunday's 235th Derby Della Mole in optimistic fashion despite suffering defeat against Sampdoria in their last fixture.

The Granata are unbeaten at home this season, winning five of their seven fixtures so far with attacking trident Adem Ljajic, Andrea Belotti and Iago Falque weighing in with an impressive tally of twenty-two goals already this season.

Toro have no injuries ahead of the derby, so Sinisa Mihajlovic may choose to stick with the eleven who were slightly unfortunate in defeat against Samp last Sunday. However, Toro once again conceded from a set piece in that game, and this is a recurring problem which the Granata must deal with ahead of Juve's visit.

Juventus are four points clear at the top of the Serie A table and completed the double (and a cup victory) over Toro last season - however, they have already suffered three away defeats this season, which will give Torino heart. As will the fact the bianconeri will be without key defenders Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci.

Forza Toro

Torino 1-4 Juventus

Torino fell to yet another defeat against rivals Juvenus as they were beaten 4-1 in a Derby Della Mole full of controversy.

There was one surprise in the Toro line up as Gaston Silva was preferred to both Davide Zappacosta and Cristian Molinaro at left wing back.

Juve took the lead after half an hour, as Paul Pogba scored for a third derby in a row - this time a free kick from fully thirty yards which Daniele Padelli will have been disappointed not to keep out.

On the stroke of half time, Juve doubled their lead as Sami Khedira took advantage of a huge gap in the Toro defence to side foot past Padelli.

Toro started the second half brightly, and were awarded a penalty after only three minutes as Alex Sandro was adjudged to have brought down fellow countryman Bruno Peres in the area. Despite being booked in the first half, referee Nicola Rizzoli decided not to produce a second yellow for Alex Sandro, and the Brazilian remained on the field.

Andrea Belotti stepped up to convert the penalty, and ended Gianluigi Buffon's incredible 974 minute run of not conceding a goal in the process. That goal gave Toro renewed energy, and moments later they thought they had scored an equaliser.

After another enterprising run from the impressive Bruno Peres, the ball fell to half time substitute Maxi Lopez who volleyed past Buffon, however the Argentine was wrongly adjudged to be offside.

Toro failed to recover from that setback, and the game was over as a contest just past the hour mark when Pogba's exquisite ball found Alvaro Morata who finished well. Maxi Lopez almost gave Toro a lifeline following Marco Benassi's cut back but this time he was denied by Buffon.

For the second derby in succession, Juventus scored a fourth goal as Paul Pogba's wayward shot was diverted home by Morata with fifteen minutes remaining.

Once again it was derby day disappointment for the Granata who will now be nervously looking over their shoulders as they are now just five points above the relegation zone.

Forza Toro!

Torino v Juventus Preview

Torino will hope to dent their rivals title hopes and rescue a disappointing season when they face Juventus in the Derby Della Mole on Sunday afternoon.

Torino go into Sunday's game in horrendous form, having won only two of their last fifteen matches, with those victories coming against relegation threatened Frosinone and Palermo.

Toro's terrible form was perhaps best encapsulated in their last game, as the Granata threw away a 2-0 lead at Genoa and ended up losing 3-2 to an average Grifoni side.

However, in recent times (withstanding the 4-0 defeat in the Coppa Italia) Torino have produced impressive performances in the derby. Toro arguably deserved to win in the reverse fixture in October, before being cruelly defeated in injury time, and last season they finally ended their twenty year hoodoo against the Bianconeri with a 2-1 victory.

With fan support of coach Giampiero Ventura at an all time low, the veteran tactician penned an open letter to Toro fans this week in which he urged them to stay behind their team.

Ventura has an almost full strength team to choose from, with the only selection dilemmas coming at left wing back and central midfield.

Cristian Molinaro has conceded two penalties in his last two games, and was sent off against Juventus in the Coppa Italia and his selection would almost certainly bring a negative reaction from the supporters, without a ball even being kicked. Therefore, Davide Zappacosta could come into the team, and this would mean Bruno Peres moving to left wing back.

The other decision for Ventura to make is in midfield, Giuseppe Vives' experience and Afriyie Acquah's energy means they should both start so the final place would be between Daniele Baselli and Marco Benassi. Both players have had their moments this season, but with the former in poor form, I'd expect Benassi to be give the nod.

Juventus will certainly have a number of tired bodies in their squad following their extra time defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but it is difficult to know how their players will react.

Make no mistake about it, Juventus were excellent against the German champions for 70 minutes and will feel they did more than enough to progress before conceding two late goals and then succumbing in extra time.

If Juve play as well as they did on Wednesday then Toro will have to play an almost perfect match to get a result.

Whilst Gigi Buffon has kept ten consecutive clean sheets, and is only minutes away from breaking the Serie A record, the form of Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile has been the one positive of Toro's season and both players will be confident heading into this game, despite Buffon's record.

And whilst it may be naive view to take, if Juve suffer a Champions League hangover and fatigue plays a factor, Toro have shown that they can raise their game against their rivals and therefore Toro fans may have some hope of gaining an unlikely victory.

They do say it is the hope that kills you.

Forza Toro

Juventus 4-0 Torino

Torino crashed out of the Coppa Italia after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to city rivals Juventus on Wednesday evening.

Giampiero Ventura started with Salvador Ichazo in goal in place of regular number one Daniele Padelli, whilst Fabio Quagliarella was left on the bench as Andrea Belotti and Maxi Lopez started up front.

After a tentative start to the game, a controversial moment changed the game as referee Daniele Doveri failed to dismiss Juventus striker Simone Zaza. The former Sassuolo man, who was already on a yellow card made a late challenge on Toro keeper Ichazo, but the referee failed to produce a second yellow.

To add insult to injury, Juventus took the lead moments later when Alvaro Morata's cross was volleyed home by who else, Simone Zaza.

Toro's task was made even tougher just four minutes into the second half when former Juventus man Cristian Molinaro received a second yellow card. And from the resulting free kick, with the assistance of some poor Torino defending, Simone Zaza scored his second of the game.

Juve substitute Paulo Dybala curled in a third goal, whilst Paul Pogba made it 4-0 with a long range free kick late on to cap a miserable night for the Granata.

Forza Toro!

Juventus v Torino Preview

Torino will travel to the Juventus stadium for the second time in less than two months as they face their city rivals in a Coppa Italia last sixteen tie.

The cup could represent Toro's best opportunity to qualify for Europe this season, and have been taking the competition seriously and will continue to do so against the Bianconeri.

The Granata have been well rested after Saturday's fixture against Sassuolo was postponed, and Toro will be hoping to gain revenge for October's heartbreaking last minute defeat.

The Coppa Italia is certainly not Juventus' priority this season, and therefore Massimiliano Allegri is expected to rotate his squad and use a number of fringe players. Daniele Rugani, Martin Caceres and Simone Zaza are all expected to start, and Torino may hope to take advantage.

Forza Toro

Juventus 2-1 Torino

For the second year in succession, Torino suffered Derby Della Mole heartbreak at the Juventus Stadium after Juan Cuadrado's injury time winner.

Maxi Lopez and Afriyie Acquah started in favour of Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi, whilst as expected, Fabio Quagliarella came back into the starting eleven.

Toro had the first opportunity in the game, but former Juventus striker Quagliarella could only hit the side netting from a well-worked free kick routine. And they were made to the pay the price, as the home side went straight down the other end and opened the scoring through Paul Pogba's long range volley, although Daniele Padelli's positioning surely needs to be questioned.

Torino reacted well to that setback and Daniele Baselli's excellent pass found Fabio Quagliarella whose effort went narrowly wide of the post.

Six minutes into the second half the Granata found their equaliser via an unlikely source - central defender Cesare Bovo. Toro were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and Bovo played an excellent one-two with team mate Daniele Baselli before firing the ball past Gigi Buffon with his left foot.*

The Granata had chances to win it, and Kamil Glik twice tested Buffon with headers, whilst Giuseppe Vives also forced the Juve captain into a save after a long range shot.

However, just as had happened twelve months previously, Juventus denied Toro a deserved point with an injury time winner. Paul Pogba capitalised on slight hesitation in the Torino defence and found substitute Alex Sandro whose low cross was converted by Juan Cuadrado.

This was another heartbreaking derby defeat by the Granata, whose fans will at least be encouraged by the performance. However, the fact they conceded an injury time goal for a second game in a row will certainly be a worry.

Forza Toro

*there is a slight chance that this was not a deliberate training ground routine, and the ball inadvertently hit Baselli.

Juventus v Torino Preview

After ending a run of twenty years without beating Juventus back in April, Torino will have renewed optimism ahead of Saturday's Derby della Mole.

The Granata are without a win in four following Wednesday's disappointing draw with Genoa, but face a Juventus side struggling to cope without summer departures of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez.

Therefore, despite Toro's poor recent form, they are still three points and two places above their city rivals. The Bianconeri suffered their fourth defeat of the season in midweek at Sassuolo which lead to experienced goalkeeper Gigi Buffon issuing a rallying cry to his teammates and the squad being placed in Ritiro.

Toro will be without a number of key players with Danilo Avelar, Nikola Maksimovic, Joel Obi Alessandro Gazzi and Josef Martinez all out injured. The toughest choice for Giampiero Ventura may be who partners Fabio Quagliarella up front and whether he goes for the energy of Andrea Belotti or the experience of Maxi Lopez.

Forza Toro