SERIE A
Juve set sights on Torino in city derby after UCL defeat
Juventus and Roma advanced to the Champions League knock-out stage, while Napoli and Inter Milan seek consolation in domestic action after being demoted to the Europa League.
Combative Torino await Juventus for Saturday's Turin derby after the Serie A leaders embarrassed themselves, but suffered no damage, in the Champions League.
The Bianconeri were already qualified for the knock-out stage and stayed top of their group despite a 2-1 defeat at Swiss underdogs Young Boys on Wednesday as Manchester United also lost 2-1 at Valencia to remain second.
Game stats, however, confirmed the Italian champions' tendency to obtain meagre results from their efforts. They found a late consolation goal when Paulo Dybala came on as Cristiano Ronaldo missed several of the squad's 14 shots – but the same disappointing 14-1 conversion ratio occurred in last weekend's 1-0 edging of Inter Milan.
“We lacked precision and a cool head in front of goal, even though we reacted well,” boss Massimiliano Allegri said. “We had two objectives, progressing from the group and finishing in first place. We have achieved both and deserved it. Now we focus on the Turin derby.”
Roma had a similar fate, losing 2-1 at Viktoria Plzen, but still advancing as runners-up to Real Madrid.
Torino, meanwhile, last weekend moved into sixth place, the second to qualify for the Europa League, after a scoreless but hard-fought draw with fourth-placed AC Milan, who look to stay in the Champions League zone.
“We are in a good position and we are happy, but many teams [Atalanta, Roma, Sassuolo and Parma] trail one point behind,” Il Toro president Urbano Cairo said. “Now it is important to continue to play good games, then we will draw our conclusions in the end.
“No one has beaten Juve yet [in the domestic league]. They are certainly very strong, therefore we face a tough game but we must play it with courage.”
Grit and determination were not enough for Napoli and Inter, who both look to forget this week's Champions League elimination and resume the pursuit of Juventus.
