Ivan Juric confirmed talisman Andrea Belotti will start for Torino in tomorrow’s derby against Juventus.
The 28-year-old Italian forward has struggled for consistent playing time this season, suffering from a peroneus tendon injury and a biceps femoris muscle injury. These two injuries have forced him to miss 14 league games combined and he hasn’t made a league start since the 1-0 loss to Roma back in November.
Speaking in a press conference today, Juric first discussed how Torino are approaching the Derby della Mole.
“We have trained well and focused, we want to play a great game. We have the right energy, we are aware of how much this match means.”
He confirmed that Belotti will be starting against the Bianconeri.
“He’s had a good week’s training, he can start from the beginning.”
The Croatian coach commented on Juventus’ new attacking trident.
“With Vlahovic and with Dybala, as well as Zakaria, they are in a positive moment tactically and physically. We will change the plan a bit, it’s inevitable.”
Juric spoke about Torino’s approach heading into the match.
“I regret the points dropped due to last-minute goals, other defeats as well. The idea is to play well, tomorrow it will be the same thing, we want to play a game at our best, trying not to concede two shots and two goals like we did against Venezia. And if it doesn’t go your way, we’ll try to bring the result home.”
He touched on how he’ll line-up the Granata defensively to stop Juventus’ attack.
“We’ll mark diagonally, it’s our way of being. In that area the marking is strong, we will go forward as usual. Bremer-Vlahovic will be an important clash, as will ours against Bonucci.”
Finally, Juric discussed his relationship with Turin as a city.
“There are so many anomalies, there is a great fan base, but the stadium is empty. When I live in the city, I feel the attention of the press and the greatness of the team, the club and the history. But there are few people at the games.
“The balance is very fine, I don’t know how to say it…this hurry and this ambition to become great again are right, but you can’t do it like this. We need more normality, I feel that everything can explode in a positive way and that it takes very little to fall back into criticism and negativity.
“My goal is to go up, but it’s not like two steps backwards and it’s all over. You need to make the right choices to get to a good level, but right now I see anomalies in everything.”
Torino currently sit 10th in the Serie A table after 24 games, four points behind ninth place Hellas Verona. They’ve only picked up one point from their last three league outings, so they’re looking to bounce back against their oldest rivals.
Torino, Juric: "Tanto tifo ma stadio vuoto. Giusto aver fretta di tornare grandi, ma serve equilibrio" https://t.co/SaP674YFPH
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) February 17, 2022