Twenty years. That represents the time that has passed since Torino defeated Juventus on April 9, 1995. In fact, the 1994/1995 Serie A season was one to remember for Granata fans, as they successfully completed a derby double over their cross town rivals. Since then, the two Turin sides have met nearly 20 times, with the hosts only earning four points out of their 17 matches, meaning that the Bianconeri have won an overwhelming 13 times to date.
However earlier this season, Torino actually gave Juventus fans a bit of a surprise. For the first time since February 24, 2002, il Toro managed to score against their city rivals and more important, at la Vecchia Signora's home ground. Indeed, were it not for another beauty from midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, the reigning Scudetto champions may have had to settle for their first draw since a drab 0-0 result on February 26, 2008.
In the past, the Derby della Mole would be a huge highlight for Italian football fans, but in recent years, it has increasingly become a one sided affair, with this interesting stat for fans to mull over:
#DerbyDellaMole STAT: La Juventus è la squadra che ha battuto più volte il Torino in @SerieA_TIM: 64. pic.twitter.com/eFFdMSlH96
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) April 25, 2015
"Juventus are the team who has beaten Torino the most times in Serie A, with 64 wins"
Nonetheless, despite their fifteen point lead as they cruise to their fourth consecutive league title, Massimiliano Allegri, who saw his side scrape into the Champions League semi-finals earlier this week, naturally will not underestimate the opposition:
.@OfficialAllegri: "Difficile giocare contro il Toro: dobbiamo dare grandissima importanza alla partita" #DerbyDellaMole #TorinoJuve
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) April 25, 2015
"It's difficult to play against Torino, [so] we must take this game seriously"
.@OfficialAllegri. "Servono ancora sei punti per la matematica. Domani sarà partita molto difficile" #DerbyDellaMole #TorinoJuve
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) April 25, 2015
"We still need another six points to be mathematically certain [of the Scudetto]. Tomorrow will be a difficult game"
In terms of available personnel, Patrice Evra will miss out with a hip problem. Carlos Tevez, who, alongside Arturo Vidal was sick ahead of the clash with Monaco - yet still featured - will have to be evaluated as his coach noted in his pre-match press conference.
Given the fact that the overwhelming odds are in favour of the visitors, Giampiero Ventura's men would have to bring their A-game should they want to delay their rivals' title celebrations a bit further. And the scope of the task ahead is certainly not lost on Granata skipper Kamil Glik.
"It will indeed be a special derby and it would be wonderful to be able to beat Juventus," the Polish international mused.
"[But] if we beat them, it will be like a national celebration [for us]."
Torino, who currently sit in 8th place with 44 points, are still not giving up on the fight for Europa League football next season, having gotten a taste of it before being dumped out of the round of 16 by Russian outfit Zenit. Will they able to finally get the better of their rivals 20 years later in Italian football's oldest derby?
Simply tune in to find out.
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