30 October 2015
The Bianconeri enter the Derby della Mole looking for a third successive Serie A win at Juventus Stadium.
Standing in their way are inter-city rivals Torino, who are eager to put together back-to-back wins against the Old Lady and continue their best start to a campaign in Italy’s top tier in 23 years.
With players inevitably looking to gain the initiative over their opposite numbers, Juventus.com takes a look at the key battles to be fought in tomorrow’s keenly-awaited contest.
Juan Cuadrado vs. Emiliano Moretti
Since returning to Serie A in the summer, Juan Cuadrado has made himself a major nuisance for opposition rearguards. Blessed with pace and trickery, the Colombian is a true wide player and excels in drawing defenders out of position, creating space in the middle for Juventus’ more centrally-deployed forwards to swing into action.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, therefore, he has been the highest provider of crosses (20) from the Bianconeri’s midfield and attacking departments this term, with only Alex Sandro and Patrice Evra having whipped more balls into the box.
On Sunday, however, the former Fiorentina and Chelsea man is set to meet his match in Emiliano Moretti, who has been in fine form in 2015/16. Playing on the left-side of Torino’s back-three, the 34-year-old will be tasked with containing Cuadrado as best he can.
Moretti is a mainstay in Giampiero Ventura’s backline, his 810 minutes of game time the third-highest behind only captain Kamil Glik and goalkeeper Daniele Padelli.
More important is his record in 50-50s, of which he has won 71.4 per cent, as well as boasting an impressive 86.7 per cent success rate from tackles made in this year’s Serie A, meaning that Cuadrado will need to be at his bamboozling best to get the upper hand over the Rome-born defender, whose improved performances last season earned him his debut for the Italian national side.
Sami Khedira vs. Daniele Baselli
Sami Khedira has brought stability and assuredness to Juventus’ midfield since returning from injury at the end of September.
The Germany international is an effective enforcer in central areas, winning 66.7 per cent of his tackles so far in Serie A. The 28-year-old is also adept at breaking from deep, such as his burst forward to head home on his league debut against Bologna, as well as hitting the post against Inter at the San Siro.
Against Torino, Khedira will need to be particularly alert to the danger posed by Daniele Baselli. Deployed in left-central midfield, the 23-year-old plays more often on the front foot and has already netted four goals this term, joining Fabio Quagliarella at the top of the Granata’s scoring charts.
His mobility has meant that he can launch attacks down the wing and he has whipped in more crosses than any other team-mate (43), while also excelling at his defensive work, having won 93.8 per cent of his tackles.
Andrea Barzagli vs. Fabio Quagliarella
Two former team-mates will be measuring each other up in and around Juve’s penalty area on Sunday evening.
Fabio Quagliarella netted 30 times in 102 appearances for the Bianconeri before joining their inter-city rivals in 2014.
Since linking up with Giampiero Ventura’s men, the 32-year-old striker has enjoyed more game time and repaid his manager’s faith with goals: 16 in all competitions last year and already four so far this term to lead the side’s scoring charts along with the aforementioned Baselli.
Besides entering this contest in fine form, Quagliarella also boasts a brilliant record against ex clubs, having found the target against all of his former teams last season, including the winner against the Old Lady in April.
Standing in his way on Sunday is Andrea Barzagli. The experienced defender has brought class and composure to Juventus’ rearguard this campaign.
The Italy international profits from a prime positional sense and will be aware of his former team-mate’s inclination to find space both in front of and behind the backline.
‘The rock’ has also made a number of key interceptions this term, notably flicking away Mauro Icardi’s pinpoint cross to Ivan Perisic at the San Siro, and such contributions will be crucial once more to the Bianconeri, especially given the absence of Giorgio Chiellini through suspension.
