Juventus vs. Torino: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Serie A Game

Over the past few weeks, Juventus have rounded into what is comfortably their best form of the year. After overwhelming a poor Parma side before the international break, the Bianconeri continued with another emphatic win last weekend.

That 3-0 defeat of an impressive Lazio side—reviewed here—was arguably their best performance of 2014-15, and they followed that with victory in the Champions League. Dispatching Malmo 2-0, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are now just one point away from qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition.

Atletico Madrid will visit Juventus Stadium in two weeks' time for that key fixture, but for now, attention must revert to domestic matters. If the Bianconeri needed any additional reason to concentrate fully on taking care of business in Serie A, the identity of this weekend’s opponents should provide it.

Sunday sees the 230th edition of the Turin derby as Torino make the short trip across town to face their local rivals. The game may not possess the animosity seen when Roma and Lazio go head-to-head or the glamour of the Milan derby, but it has always been a hotly contested matchup.

Thanks to their dominant form of recent decades, Juventus have enjoy clear ascendancy over the Granata, winning 95 of those clashes and losing just 72. Yet their opponents will see the latest meeting as a chance to boost their own poor form, having won just three times thus far in the current campaign.

Over the following pages is a look at the key issues and decisions that will shape the game, closely analysing factors that could determine the result.

Juventus Midfield Must Exert Dominance

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One notable point from Wednesday’s win over Malmo was the continued poor performances of the Juventus midfield. While Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio acquitted themselves well, both Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal were once again poor for the Bianconeri.

Their Champions League performances were analysed here, and although Pirlo has been much better in Serie A, the form of Vidal remains a concern. Allegri would perhaps be advised to rest the Chilean, making space in the starting line-up for the impressive Roberto Pereyra.

Since arriving from Udinese, the versatile 23-year-old has steadily improved, enjoying his best performance in the win over Lazio. That display—singled out for praise here—saw him notch an assist on Pogba’s second goal and stats site WhoScored.com shows he added two tackles and one interception.

Fabio Quagliarella to Haunt Old Lady

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Fabio Quagliarella moved from Juventus to Torino this past summer, ending a four-year stint with the Bianconeri which saw him win three league titles. Having scored some vital goals, his switch to the club’s cross-town rivals came as something of a surprise, but was a return of sorts for the 31-year-old striker.

Quagliarella began his career with Torino, and is currently their leading scorer this term with four league goals. However, he has not netted in Serie A for over a month, and he would surely love to find the back of the net against the club who released him so readily.

“I do not think that I regret leaving Juve,” he told Sky Italia in October (h/t Forza Italian Football). “The more time passes, the more you know.” The Bianconeri defence will be well aware of the danger he poses, and neutralising their former team-mate will be vital if they are to claim all three points.

Carlos Tevez to Continue His Impressive Form

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Netting his third Champions League strike of the campaign on Wednesday, Carlos Tevez took his season tally to 12 goals in all competitions. Also weighing in with five assists, the Argentinean striker has been in unstoppable form, scoring four times in his last three appearances.

Having scored the only goal in this fixture last term, Juventus will once again look to the 30-year-old to lead them to victory.