Serie A: Torino’s young stars ready to shine in Turin derby
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The history books say Juventus have won 16 of the last 21 Derby della Mole against Turin rivals Torino, but this time around Il Toro are ready to challenge, and challenge hard.
The Old Lady may sit top of Serie A, as is the norm these days, but as they head to Torino’s Stadio Olimpico, they’ve already lost three times on the road this season.
Meanwhile, Torino are unbeaten on home soil, and they’ve already sent Roma and Fiorentina packing in defeat.
There seems plenty of hope then for the third-top scorers in the division, in the 10/3 on a home win, or 5/2 for a draw.
The seven-time Serie A champions sit seventh, and are enjoying their best season for years.
The arrival of Joe Hart in goal is a somewhat fortunate but very impressive bit of business, but it’s the young talent in front of the England internatioanl which is the major success of Torino’s campaign.
Forward Andrea Belotti netted 12 times last season, but already the 22-year-old is into double figures this term with 10 goals from 13 league games.
Fellow 22-year-old Marco Benassi has chipped in with four strikes from central midfield, as has 24-year-old midfield team-mate Daniele Baselli.
Adem Ljajic has fired in five goals and three assist from 11 games on the left-flank, and the 25-year-old Serbian has proved a sublime signing since arriving from Roma in the summer.
Similarly, 26-year-old Iago Falque has struck seven times from only 12 games on the right-hand side.
Continuing the youthful vibe are 21-year-old left-back Antonio Barreca and 20-year-old forward Lucas Boye.
With Hart providing the experience alongside centre-back duo Leandro Castan and Luca Rossettini, Torino boast a superb blend of youth and knowledge under Sinisa Mihajlovic.
We highlighted how Atalanta are another trusting their fortunes in youth, and with both teams sitting in the top seven, clearly that strategy is coming good.
It remains to be seen if Torino can keep hold of this core – the future is incredibly bright if they do so – but for now all their focus will be on stealing the local glory.
With three wins from their last four games, with the squad at their disposal and having yet to taste defeat on home soil, Torino have their best shot for Derby victory in a generation.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
