02 November 2019
Juventus claimed all three points and bragging rights over rivals Torino after claiming a 0-1 win at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening. Matthijs de Lift scored the only goal of the game as the Bianconeri claimed three crucial points in the Derby della Mole.
From the very first minute there was an electric atmosphere in the stadium, and the importance of the derby could be felt from kick-off with both teams having taken a while to settle into the game.
GOALLESS FIRST HALF
It was Torino who started off well, winning 50-50 chances and being aggressive in their attacks. The Bianconeri’s first chance of the game fell to Cristiano Ronaldo on the 19th minute when he received a cross and opted to turn it towards goal with a diving header, but it sailed over the bar. He then attempted another shot just before the half hour after brilliantly chesting it, controlling it and then striking on the half-volley, but it too, failed to hit the target. Paulo Dybala was looking very inspired when on the ball, and he made a good run down the right flank, before cutting inside and unleashing a curling effort which stung the palms of Sirigu. Torino went pushing for an opening goal before the break, and they attempted a shot at goal through Meite, whose effort flew slightly over Szczesny’s goal. Matthijs de Ligt came agonizingly close to handing Juventus the lead on the stroke of half-time when de Lift tried to direct the ball into the back of the net from Ronaldo’s cross, but Sirigu brilliantly palmed it away.
A DE LIGT-FUL DECIDER
Both teams were anxious to get a goal, and it showed after the break, as tensions rose on either end of the field. Ronaldo had the first chance at opening the scoring when Dybala slipped him ball on the edge of the box down the right side, he then burst in and fired at goal, but Sirigu palmed it away. Ramsey was then introduced into the game in the 67th minute in place of Bernardeschi, and both changes seemed to have made an impact as the Bianconeri took the lead. Sirigu was first brilliant to deny a save off Higuain’s powerful volley, but he couldn’t much to deny de Ligt’s 70th minute opener. The move started off from a corner, Higuain knocked it down towards the back post where de Ligt was, the Dutch then fired home from close range to instill silence across the Olimpico. The Bianconeri dominated possession for the remainder of the game, and they nearly doubled the lead when some misplaced defending allowed for Ramsey to chase down a stray ball and as he attempted to slide into it, Sirigu printed off his line to block it. That would be all for the two teams, as the Juventus would hold out for the win.
Torino: Sirigu; Izzo, Bremer, Lyanco; Aina, Baselli (Milico 85’), Rincon (Zaza 74’), Meite, Ansaldi; Verdi (Lukic 80’), Belotti
Siubstitutes: Ujkani, Rosati, Lukic, Zaza, Berenguer, Millico, De Silvestri, Djidji, Laxalt
Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, De Sciglio; Bentancur (Khedira 76’), Pjanic, Matuidi; Bernardeschi (Ramsey 67’); Dybala (Higuain 60’), Ronaldo
Substitutes: Pinsoglio, Buffon, Khedira, Ramsey, Douglas Costa, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Higuain, Emre Can, Rugani, Demiral
