Juve to face Torino

ROME – After getting some relief with a win over Real Madrid, Juventus now will try to improve its mid-table Serie A position in the derby against city rival Torino on Saturday.

Juventus lost 2-1 to Napoli last weekend and has only nine points from seven rounds, leaving the 27-time champions seven points behind leader Inter Milan. Calls were being made for coach Claudio Ranieri’s job after the Napoli loss, especially after he pulled Alessandro del Piero for a defender with the score level at 1-1.Del Piero scored in the fifth minute against Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and Brazilian striker Amauri added another as Juve won its first match in a month.”We may not be completely over it, but the fact is we weren’t in such bad shape to begin with,” Del Piero said.”The victory gives us courage and enthusiasm for our next games, starting with Saturday’s derby.”But Juventus is still hobbled by injuries, with midfielder Claudio Marchisio hurt against Madrid to join Gianluigi Buffon, David Trezeguet, Christian Poulsen and Mauro Camoranesi on the sidelines.Italy under-21 standout Sebastian Giovinco could play an important role in Juve’s attack against Torino, which also has injury problems.Nampa-APCalls were being made for coach Claudio Ranieri’s job after the Napoli loss, especially after he pulled Alessandro del Piero for a defender with the score level at 1-1.Del Piero scored in the fifth minute against Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and Brazilian striker Amauri added another as Juve won its first match in a month.”We may not be completely over it, but the fact is we weren’t in such bad shape to begin with,” Del Piero said.”The victory gives us courage and enthusiasm for our next games, starting with Saturday’s derby.”But Juventus is still hobbled by injuries, with midfielder Claudio Marchisio hurt against Madrid to join Gianluigi Buffon, David Trezeguet, Christian Poulsen and Mauro Camoranesi on the sidelines.Italy under-21 standout Sebastian Giovinco could play an important role in Juve’s attack against Torino, which also has injury problems.Nampa-AP