"Cultural" Trip to Turin: Juventus-Trabzonspor!

Last week I went to Italy to fulfill a childhood dream of watching Juventus play live, in their home stadium. 

Truthfully, this wasn't my first Juventus game in the most absolute sense, since I saw the bianconeri - then featuring Schillaci, Baggio and led by Maifredi - lose in Bari against the home side 2-0 on November 25, 1990. I'll never forget that there was a "welcoming party" of my friends (all anti-juventini) who readily derided me upon setting foot outside my father's car.

Upon landing in Turin, I typically went to the closest pizzeria, sat down and enjoyed some of Italy's most popular and prostituted food item along with a 660 cl of Moretti.  After all, the trip wasn't only about watching Juventus: it was also about enjoying every cultural aspect Turin offered.

View of the Occidental Alps from my hotel's balcony

After a short rest I headed to Juventus Stadium early to take in the atmosphere ahead of the Europa League match versus Trabzonspor. The Stadium's parking lot was lined by merchandise vendors who coloured the streets with Juventus' black and white; and by panini and kebab vendors who added mouthwatering aromas to the pre-game atmosphere.

Bancarelle sell Juventus merchandise ahead of the bianconeri's Europa League clash versus Trabzonspor

After a few ritual photos outside the Stadium, I entered after clearing two security checks (for which I needed my passport, and my ticket), before scanning my ticket under a self-scanner. With this level of security, it's hard to imagine how the away fans were able to bring illegal items such as fireworks and flares, but I digress.  Unlike many North American events, there were no scalpers selling tickets near the venue, as the name on each ticket must match the spectator's state-issued identification document.

The beat of DJ Nana's tunes blasting through the Stadium's speakers increased with each song, which culminated into Juve, Storia di Un Grande Amore, Juve's anthem: 

The game showed that Juventus is in a bit of a lull, perhaps weary from additional workloads ordered by Mister Conte. Trabzonspor held game play for the first minutes, passing the ball about without too much pressure from Juventus' attackers. However, the bianconeri struck on 18 minutes: Osvaldo takes advantage of a misplayed ball by Trabzonspor's defenders, stealing the ball, striking it passed the Turkish goalkeeper, and sending Juventus fans into raptures.

Juventus seemed happy to control game play in the second half, creating little, however.  Ogbonna was the crowd's least favourite missing passes and giving the ball away in a few occasions.  The turning point of the match came about at the 66th minute, when Conte sent his boys a clear signal of intent by substituting Llorente and Vidal (until that point rested in light of the upcoming derby versus Torino). The message was received loud and clear as Juve's players became more tactically disciplined. 

Ten minutes later, however, the balance shifted again: Conte substituted Giovinco for Marchisio (a striker for a midfielder) changing the formation to a three-pronged attack.  Giovinco, who had previously been booed by his own fans, immediately became a thorn in Trabzonspor's right side making blistering runs, crosses and earning corner kicks. 

The formation change, however, also exposed Juventus to Trabzonspor's counterattacks and to the equalizer, which was disallowed on account of the ball going out of bounds. At the 94th minute, however, Pogba gives Juventus the much needed insurance goal to carry them into Turkey the following week scoring a penalty in motion in the heart of the visiting team's 18-yard box.

That's all the Old Lady wrote for that night, as the fans sang into the night happily.  And so did I.