Torino 0-1 Juventus
You only have to attend the Derby della Mole to gauge the depth of feeling on both sides.
For these teams share more than just a city.
The histories of both clubs are marked with success and tragedy, and a rivalry has existed ever since Torino was founded through a merger headed by a group of Juventus dissidents.
This latest clash in Serie A means more to so many than just another three points.
Highlights of the game
Aside from a brief revival by Toro in the early 1990s (they finished third in 1992), Juventus have been top dogs in the city over the last quarter of a century.
Many SBOBET fans may not even have heard of Torino during their years in the doldrums.
But there is no doubt Serie A 2018 news is expected to be made when II Toro meet the Old Lady, the runaway leaders after another big victory last weekend.
In a first half low on chances in the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, an incident in the 12th minute provided the main talking point.
Home goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu was injured in a challenge from Emre Can, and while the shot-stopper brilliantly denied Cristiano Ronaldo a few moments later, it was clear he was in pain and had aggravated his injury.
He was unable to carry on and soon limped off to be replaced by No 2 Salvador Ichazo.
Andrea Belotti forced Mattia Perrin into action, but there was little else to write home about at that stage.
A lively start to the second period saw Armando Izzo head just over, Belotti twice goes close before Blaise Matuidi was inches away from converting an Alex Sandro cross as Ichazo parried from close range.
As the hour mark passed, there was a feeling that Juventus may have weathered a mini-storm and gone on to win, just as they have against all their major rivals this term.
The moment came from a predictable source in unusual fashion.
What former Juve man Simone Zaza (who had a penalty appeal of his own a short time earlier) was thinking as he passed the ball back towards his own goal is hard to tell, but Mario Mandzukic pounced, and Ichazo could only bring him down.
Up stepped Cristiano Ronaldo, and the result was not in doubt as he drilled the ball home, even if the unfortunate Ichazo got a hand to it.
Ronaldo took his celebrations a bit too far and was rightly booked, but it seemed Torino were crestfallen and only a VAR ruling denied Mandzukic from putting the game out of sight almost immediately (Ronaldo was marginally offside).
From that moment, Juventus expertly saw the game out, even into six minutes of stoppage time.
Juventus are still unbeaten and 11 points clear at the top (second-place Napoli have a game in hand).
They are also through the Last 16 of the Champions League and will await Monday’s draw with interest.
For Torino, they stay a fine sixth but could slip down to as low as 11th, depending on tomorrow’s results.
Ronaldo said this week that he is very happy in his new home, and it is easy to see why. He is still playing as the number one in the world and, as the halfway stage of the league season approaches, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Juventus from being crowned champions again.
Arguably the biggest name to grace Serie A since Zinedine Zidane has done it again – this term on his derby debut.
Key statistics
Ronaldo’s goal was Juve’s 5,000th in the Italian top flight – the Bianconeri are the first team to reach that milestone. (Marco Di Vaio scored the 4,000th in 2003).
Juventus have now equalled their longest winning run away from home in Serie A (eight matches in a row).
Ichazo last played a league game for Torino in January 2016.
Toro have only managed one victory in the last 21 meetings with Juventus, losing 18 of them.
April 2015 was the last time Torino beat their city rivals. That rare win ended a two-decade run without a win in the Derby della Mole.
Top of Form
What’s next?
Torino have a busy festive period, as do all Serie A clubs.
They travel to Sassuolo next Saturday (December 22), entertain Empoli on Boxing Day before concluding 2018 with a trip to Lazio on December 29. What follows is a short winter break.
Likewise, Juventus – firm title favourites with Serie A 2018 betting odds – face Roma next weekend, travel to Atalanta on Boxing Day and then entertain Sampdoria a fortnight today.
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