This weekend the derby Della Mole, Torino host Juventus. This is a long standing derby they have met a total of 165 times with Juventus winning 79 and 46 ending all square. The 49 wins by the hosts came in the earlier when Torino was a force, the last time Torino was on the 6th of November 1994 3-2 Vialli scoring twice for the bianconeri (that season they won both games), the last drawn game was on the 24th of February 2002 2-2 goals from Trezeguet and Maresca, last season the difference was Pogba.
Juve are without 6 player whiles Torino only one is out, an ex is with the hosts Quagliarella could be the danger man. Massimiliano Allegri can experiment on Sunday, even if the game ends in a draw Juventus have enough advantage to win the Scudetto.
This weekend the chasing teams Roma are away to Inter whiles Lazio hosts Chievo, both teams need to win to stay in the race, but also to stay in the Champions league place as Napoli are only 5 points away and this weekend they host Sampdoria. Three top games to wet everyone’s appetite.
In the Champions league a dream draw for the old lady, Real Madrid a team who’s in good form but not unbeatable, these two have a good history, with the galatticos just ahead. The first time they met was in the quarter-finals 61-62 Juve lost 1-0 home game but won 1-0 away game goal from Omar Sivori the replay was at the Parc De Princes lost 3-1 goal from Omar Sivori. The next meeting was 86-87 last 16 Juve lost the first game 1-0 but won the return 1-0 goal from Antonio Cabrini but lost in the penalty shoot-out. In the quarter-final 95/96 Juve lost away1-0 but the return leg they won 2-0 Alex Del Piero and Michele Padovano sent Juve through. The next meeting was the final at the Amsterdam arena where Real won 1-0. Followed on the season 02-03 away defeat 2-1 goal from Trezeguet return leg 3-1 goals from Trezeguet Del Piero and Nedved. 04-05 in the last 16 again 1-0 away defeat but 2-0 home win goals from Trezeguet and Zalayeta in extra time. The better season was 08-09 group H won both games 2-1 Del Piero and Amauri next game 2-0 Del Piero struck twice. Last season 2-1 defeat away goal from Llorente at home 2-2 goals from Llorente and Vidal. Real Madrid this weekend away to Celta Vigo they have to win to stay in the race to win La Liga.
A big well done goes to both Napoli and Fiorentina as they move forward in the Europa cup they could actually make it an all Italian Final as they avoided each other in the draw, Fiorentina have the hardest draw against Saville whiles Napoli take on Dnipro (Ukraine). Both cups won by Italian teams means that the calculated points could earn back a Champions league place back.
… yes, I’ve been digging out some old results… for me, the one that stands out a bit is the semi final meeting in 2002/03 (4-3 agg.).
Earning back a place would be beautiful, but even better, I think, will be hopefully seeing our Juve going into next season’s competition as top seeds regardless of whether or not we win it or even get to the final.
Surely our recruitment over the coming summer bodes well also.