Juventus vs Torino - Narrow win over derby rivals would satisfy Pjanic

Posted Friday, September 22, 2017 by PA

Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic will happily take a 1-0 victory in this weekend's derby with Torino as he thinks the rival sides are evenly matched.

Juve approach the Derby della Mole second in the Serie A standings on goal difference to Napoli after winning all five of their opening fixtures, while city rivals Torino have won three and drawn two and sit in fifth place.

"I would like for the derby to end 1-0, because here at Juve I learned it's a great way to win," Pjanic told La Stampa newspaper.

"The sides are more or less equal right now, though it's an advantage to play at home. We must be present in the match at all times with intensity and hard work. I just want to win, even 1-0 or 2-0 would be perfect.

"The derby is a game dedicated to the fans, as they care so much about this. I have a lot of Granata-supporting friends here in Turin and at times it does annoy them, because we always win and they hope we'll slip up. It's a healthy rivalry."

Serbia international Pjanic also backed striker Gonzalo Higuain to regain his goalscoring form, hopefully starting this weekend.

Higuain joined Juve from Napoli in July 2016 for 90million euros (B£80million) and he repaid them with 32 goals last term, but this season the Argentina international has struggled and only found the net twice so far.

"He is an extraordinary player and I will support him always. If everyone is picking over what you do, it means you are an important player," Pjanic added.

"This sort of period is something every striker goes through, but we will help him and he will break that drought."

Torino playmaker Adem Ljajic, meanwhile, thinks his time is now and aims to repeat his goalscoring efforts from last season against Juve.

"I've made some mistakes in the past," Ljajic told Torino's television channel.

"Now I hope my time has come, playing behind the strikers in the position I prefer. I feel close to the top and ready for the derby.

"Last year in that stadium I scored a goal from a free-kick which I'm hardly going to forget, it would be great to repeat that.

"The Bianconeri remain a strong team, they didn't win six Scudetti in a row for nothing. We need to play the perfect match, going out there with the right attitude.

"We know how much certain games mean, we'll try to cause them problems."