Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo looks forward to a 'tense' Derby della Mole against a 'well-built' Torino on Saturday. 'There are many emotions involved'.
The Bianconeri responded to the critics in the Champions League and are still unbeaten in Serie A 2020-21, but they sit six points behind League leaders Milan and must bounce back from a surprising 1-1 draw with Benevento from last weekend.
Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo looks forward to a 'tense' Derby della Mole against a 'well-built' Torino on Saturday. 'There are many emotions involved'.
The Bianconeri responded to the critics in the Champions League and are still unbeaten in Serie A 2020-21, but they sit six points behind League leaders Milan and must bounce back from a surprising 1-1 draw with Benevento from last weekend.
“This is an important derby for the two sets of fans, it’s always tense,” Pirlo told Juventus TV. “It’s nice to play, there are many emotions involved.
“I was lucky enough to be part of it several times, to win and score important goals.”
The Old Lady arrive from a 3-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League and Pirlo hopes to
“Now, we try to recover some strength from the game the other night,” he said. “We mentally prepare for an important game.
“Torino are built well and have an excellent coach. They express proactive football with excellent players in all departments.”
Alvaro Morata has been suspended for two games and will not be in the squad against the Granata.
“We will try to fill the penalty area as best we can, because the goals come from there,” he said. “With Alvaro, we are more present, while with those who play tomorrow, we will try to get there more from the outside.”
Federico Chiesa scored his first goal for Juventus during the week and Pirlo admitted it ‘took some time to adapt’ for the former Fiorentina winger.
“I ask a lot from Chiesa. He’s doing them well, Pirlo added. “It’s not easy to be catapulted from Fiorentina to Juventus, but he’s a very good lad.
“It took him time to adapt, but now he’s growing and then with all the controversy that has followed him, he arrived with so much weight.”
The 18-year-old centre-back Radu Dragusin played the last 21 minutes against Dynamo Kiev and Pirlo hailed the Romanian debutant.
“He’s physically very strong,” the coach continued. “He’s very young and must develop on a technical level, but he will have time to do it, training every day with great champions.”
The coach pointed out he is ready for his first Derby della Mole after a ‘beautiful and long week’.
“It has been a beautiful and long week, the target now is to catapult us into tomorrow’s derby, which is the most important match.”