22 September 2017
NOT MERELY THREE POINTS AT STAKE
“The Derby is always a special match for us, for our fans and for this city. It’s a doubly important game for us because we need to win. These are three crucial points at stake for the league table and for building upon the five victories we’ve already got under our belts.
“After the Derby, we’ve Olympiacos in the Champions League and then Atalanta in the league before the next international break, but we’re taking one step at a time. Right now, we’re fully focused on Torino, who have strengthened what was already an excellent squad. They’re a top six side in Serie A.”
TEAM NEWS vs TORINO
“[Andrea] Barzagli will be rested tomorrow, as he played on Wednesday night – and very well too I should add – but it’s important to keep the boys as fresh as possible with the congested fixture list we currently have.
“[Daniele] Rugani is improving all the time and the more he plays, the more solid and assured he’ll become. Meanwhile in midfield, [Blaise] Matuidi is in line to start tomorrow. He has hit the ground running here and gives everything on the pitch. He’s also very intelligent, which is a crucial attribute as a footballer.
“[Federico] Bernardeschi and Douglas Costa are in good shape and I’ll evaluate later on today whether they’ll play in the Derby. [Juan] Cuadrado is in excellent form down the right, but Bernardeschi is getting closer and closer to his first start.”
SITUATION ON THE SIDELINES
“[Benedikt] Howedes is out of action after picking up a knock and he’ll undergo tests to determine the extent of his injury either today or tomorrow. [Claudio] Marchisio, likewise, will have checks next week. [Sami] Khedira is back in training and will be available for next Wednesday.
“[Marko] Pjaca is doing his rehabilitation work and nearing a return to the squad, while [Mattia] De Sciglio is going to be out for four weeks, even if we’ll keep evaluating whether he can get back to action sooner than expected.”
