Thanks to Torino's 4-1 win over Cesena on Tuesday, Juventus will be in line to play another Derby della Mole before the calendar year comes to an end. Maybe you're in favor of that, maybe it's something that might cause you to bite some of your nails off because of how the last few derbies have gone, or maybe you don't have any opinion about it right now.
But here's what we know:
On Wednesday, Dec. 16 at a time still to be announced, Juventus will be playing Torino within Turin city limits with a spot in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals on the line. This isn't like last season where Juventus hopped into the tournament and proceeded destroy their first opponent, Hellas Verona. I feel pretty safe in saying that another 6-1 scoreline in favor of Juventus won't be happening nearly 12 months later. Nope, not happening.
I say this because this is what Juventus and Torino have done in their last seven games against one another...
Oct. 31, 2015: Juventus wins 2-1
April 26, 2015: Torino wins 2-1
Nov. 30, 2014: Juventus wins 2-1
Feb. 23, 2014: Juventus wins 1-0
Sept. 29, 2013: Juventus wins 1-0
April 28, 2013: Juventus wins 2-0
Dec. 1, 2012: Juventus wins 3-0
Okay, so, five out of the seven games decided by one goal. Pretty sure that's what people in the journalism business like to call a 'trend,' guys and gals.
Seeing what some of the other Round of 16 matches might be if the team you expect to win actually does win, Juventus vs. Torino is certainly going to be the most intriguing simply because it's a derby against two teams that don't like each other, let alone an inner-city matchup. You think Torino would love nothing more than to not just advance to the quarterfinals, but also eliminate the current Coppa Italia holders? I think that would give Torino players, management and fans alike a whole lot of joy, but that's just one guy's opinion.
So, just a few days after Juventus faces Fiorentina in what could be a top 4 battle by the time Dec. 13 arrives, the Bianconeri get to face their little brother to open Coppa Italia play. Good times (hopefully) ahead.