A ball is lumped out of play by Juve and Torino coach Sinisa Mihajlovic meets it on the touchline. Still got it. Sort of.

Encouraging start from the hosts. Iago Falque - remember him Tottenham and Southampton fans? - fires a rising shot over Gianlugi Buffon's bar.

It's a bit louder than the Etihad Stadium. The noise inside Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino is the sort that would have little kids crying. We're a couple of moments behind schedule but finally we are underway...

Image source, AFP

Here we go. Both sets of players are led out of the tunnel by the plastic bib-wearing match officials. Not sure what that is about.

I can't hear Joe Hart ranting and raving on the way out...

Torino coach Sinisa Mihajlovic: “Juve go into the game as favourites, but they’ll be wary of the fact that they’re coming to our ground where we’ve the backing of the 12th man.

"Whatever the result, we’ll give our all and come away with our heads held high.

“I want to see an entertaining match, full of intensity, but also played in a correct and sporting manner. Passions always run high in derby matches, but we have to remember that, at the end of the day, this is a game of football. 

“I’ve respect for Juventus, but I don’t fear them and we’ll do everything we can in order to beat them, even if we know it will be difficult.”

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri: “The Derby Della Mole is a different kind of match to any other. It gets people very passionate in this city.

“Torino are a tricky team to play against, not merely because it’s a derby, but they’re quite a bit stronger technically and less physical than in previous years. The three boys up front, Andrea Belotti, Iago Falque and Adem Ljajic, are doing a great job at present.

“We need to be right on top of our game, especially from a physical standpoint, winning our aerial battles and tackles, beating our man. We’re in good shape and feeling equal to the challenge.”

Torino may have made their best start to a Serie A in a decade - but they are still miles behind their illustrious neighbours.

The seventh-placed hosts could move up to fifth today, while leaders Juve - going for a record sixth straight Scudetto - are aiming to stretch their advantage to a whopping seven points.

Image source, #bbceurofooty

As expected, Joe Hart starts between the sticks for the home side. Former Manchester United youngster Adem Ljajic starts in a front three alongside top scorer Andrea Belotti.

Torino XI: Hart; Zappacosta, Rossettini, Castan, Barreca; Benassi, Valdifiori, Baselli; Falque, Belotti, Ljajic.

Juve XI: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Rugani, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio, Sturaro; Cuadrado, Higuain, Mandzukic.

Ciao! It is the game that no-one in Turin wants to lose. 

End up on the wrong side of a defeat and Monday morning can be miserable. 

Your school mates rip into you from before the first bell. Your colleagues start giving you grief before you've even sat down at your desk in the office. 

Even the woman in your local patisserie has a pop when you nip in for a morning caffe con panna and cornetto semplice.

The heat of a Manchester derby...

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The ferocity of a Birmingham bust-up...

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The expectation of facing the Auld Enemy...

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Joe Hart knows a thing or two about local derbies. So how will the Derby della Mole match up for the Torino keeper?

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