"Cultural" Trip To Turin: Juventus-Torino!

Mole Antonelliana from Via Montebello

Having archived the Europa League match, and as Juventus prepared itself for the Derby Della Mole against Torino FC, I took some time to visit Turin.

The ritual Juventus Stadium and Juventus Museum tour were followed by a visit to the Museo dell'Automobile, (auto museum) and last but not least Turin's landmark, the Mole Antonelliana, in keeping with my intention to marry the cultural with the profane aspect of a football match.

Leonardo Da Vinci's Automobile Design

Performance automobiles on a track give the illusion of racing each other

During my time in Turin I realized that it is grey and melancholic (particularly its outskirts); a reflection of a city that has fallen from its florid period: the ugly offspring of a metropolis that burst at the seems in the 1960s and 1970s from the rapid growth of its economic engine, FIAT. Parts of the city that were built in that era are now in decay, unkempt like the hairstyle of some of its youth. Let not my observations strike you as critical: I can't help but feel pathos for the city's current state against the vibrant city it once was, while I remain hopeful for its potential to rebound.

Which brings me to Juventus, the mistress with whom I fell in love with at age seven. Juventus represents for its city and for Serie A an opportunity for renewal, rebirth, and turnaround. The construction of a new stadium, adjacent shopping areas, the Juventus Stadium and Museum tour are generating revenue for Juventus and Turin. This is evident also when one walks about the city centre: Juventus merchandise is everywhere, clearly outnumbering Torino FC's gear which is hardly visible. The Stadium grounds are not the only ones that have been turned into a money-making machine: new businesses are opening in the surrounding area, the existing ones are now booming. Furthermore, real estate has increased in value and will continue to do so in light of the expansion project in the area to the west of the Stadium which will include residences, entertainment centres, as well as a new training centre, and club headquarters. 

Inside the J Museum

Inside the J Museum

Inside the J Museum

Memorial to honour the 39 victims of the tragedy that took
place at the Hysel Stadium on May 29, 1985  

I entered Juventus Stadium about one hour before the Derby Della Mole kicked off. Outside the Stadium, one remarkable difference from the previous match was the police presence. Derbies, like any old rivalry, are deeply felt by the fans and sometimes hostilities can go beyond the pitch. Torino FC supporters called for police escort to avoid scuffles, but they couldn't avoid insults from their crosstown rivals on their way in. I heard shouts of "Granata di merda!" clearly near the visitor's gate.

The game itself confirmed Juventus dull moment, despite the positive results. Torino didn't take advantage, however, and tried to strike on the counterattack, with El Kaddouri missing a lob on Buffon early on. Juventus pushed on the accelerator and forced Torino FC's goalie Padelli into a great save from a shot of Tevez. It turns out the Argentinian was just practicing, with the next shot blowing past the granata goalkeeper for the explosion of the home crowd.  

The match turned hypertactical in the second half, with both coaches playing chess and Conte reverting to a 5-4-1 formation in order to stave off Torino FC. A moment of suspense, and of contention took place with a handful of minutes from the end, when Andrea Pirlo clipped El Kaddouri in the 18-yard box with the Maroccan falling awkwardly a split second too late to convince referee Rizzoli. 

All that was left for Juventus was to administer the advantage and counterattack when Torino would overexpose themselves, as exemplified in this video of the dying seconds of the game:

I left Turin the next day satisfied to have ticked off an item on my bucket list: happy for the results of both matches (two wins, three goals, and no goals conceded), and happy to have fully experienced a Juventus home game in person like I always wanted.