Thiago Motta feels Juventus might be trying too hard to end their poor home record and need ‘balance’ against Torino, while he praises Nicolò Savona for his first Italy call-up.
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 19.45 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Cagliari-Milan and Venezia-Parma on the Liveblog.
The mood in the Bianconeri camp is mixed, as while they could potentially close the gap on the leaders with Inter and Napoli facing each other tomorrow, they also dropped points in the Champions League with a midweek 1-1 draw away to LOSC.
Thiago Motta urges Juventus calm in emotional derby
“The derby is always special and different, both for us and the fans,” Thiago Motta told Sky Sport Italia and DAZN.
“We need to be right on it from the first minute, win the individual duels so that we can then play our football and cause problems for the opposition. We also have home advantage and need to make the most of that.”
Curiously, Juve have the best away record in Serie A so far this season, but in terms of home games, they would only be eighth in the table. What is causing that disconnect?
“It’s true we have found it easier to play away from home. The lads certainly want to play well and put in a great performance in front of our supporters. That enormous desire might at times cause issues, so we need the right balance to play our game and express our style of football.”
Milan were held to a 3-3 draw by Cagliari this evening, while top two Inter and Napoli go head-to-head on Sunday, so would a win propel Juventus forward in the Scudetto race?
“Winning tonight would mean we did well and were superior to our opponents. Only after that will we look beyond this result.”
Juventus are also celebrating that full-back Nicolò Savona received his first senior Italy call-up for the Nations League matches against Belgium and France. Does Thiago Motta take the credit, having launched him this season?
“He did it all himself. He trains very hard, plays with the right attitude and the credit goes to those who helped him through the youth academy, but above all it goes to him, because he works every day to deserve his place,” assured Thiago Motta.
