ROME. — Juventus host Torino in the “Derby della Mole” tomorrow looking to reinforce their lead over Italian Serie A soccer title rivals Roma, who host Inter Milan in what will be Roberto Mancini’s second game in charge of the Nerazzurri.Following a morale- boosting Champions League win over Malmo, Juventus returned to Turin on a high on Thursday with renewed hope of qualifying for the last 16 of the competition for the first time in two years.

Having won all five home games in Serie A this season, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are expected to claim three points against a Torino side that was whistled off the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico following a 1-0 home defeat to Sassuolo last week.

Indeed Torino’s last victory over the Bianconeri goes back to the 1994-95 season, when they beat their city rivals home (3-2) and away (2-1), and they last hit the back of the Juventus net in February 2002 when the sides drew 2-2.

Since then Juventus have won 12 and drawn four Turin derbies and are likely to again deploy the 4-3-1-2 formation that outclassed Lazio 3-0 away last week.

Defender Simone Padoin, sent off for the final 20 minutes in Rome, sits out a one-match ban for Sunday allowing Patrice Evra to return to the fray.
Central defender Leonardo Bonucci has applauded the move away from a 3-5-2 tactical system which he believes has allowed Juve to spread their wings in Europe.

“Our tactical changes have made us stronger and more enterprising in Europe,” Bonucci said after Wednesday’s win in Sweden. Sometimes it means we find ourselves on a one-on-one situation in defence, but it gives us more options in attack. Now we have the derby and, as always, only victory matters.”

Roma will host Inter without Vasilis Torosidis (calf), who has joined a casualty list already missing fellow defenders Maicon, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Leandro Castan. — AFP

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