Baroni: ‘Torino too timid, more aggressive in 2nd half with Juventus’

Marco Baroni admits Torino were ‘too timid in the first half,’ but saw something click in their more aggressive approach to earn a point against Juventus.

Coach Baroni was forced to watch from the stands of the Allianz Juventus Stadium, as he was sent off for dissent in last week’s 2-2 draw with Pisa, and was therefore suspended.

Assistant manager Leonardo Colucci gave the orders from the touchline and kept the unbeaten run going to six Serie A rounds, earning a 0-0 draw with bitter rivals Juventus.

“We were too timid in the first half and it is a new experience for many of them playing in a derby, but we came out more aggressive after the restart, and I think ultimately we had the best scoring opportunities,” Baroni told DAZN Italia.

“We need games like this to challenge us and help us to grow. The team has become solid and I can see ample margin for improvement, so together with the club, players and fans, we can go through this process together.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 0-0 Torino

Che Adams and Kristjan Asllani came on at half-time and seemed to spice things up for Torino.

“Asllani gave an important contribution, as did Adams, but I think something just clicked in everyone. I asked them to have more courage, to press higher, not wait for Juventus to come at them. I saw that attitude from the start of the second half.

“Kristjan also gave us those passing channels and helped us to take the pressure off.”

The two goalkeepers were the best players on the night, as Alberto Paleari had been an emergency option during Franco Israel’s injury, but will be hard to shift after these performances.

“It is never a problem for me, any hierarchy is always fluid,” assured Baroni.

“Franco Israel is a quality goalkeeper, while Paleari has earned this opportunity. I will try to use the resources at my disposal in the best way, but Franco must earn his place in the team, and that goes for everyone in every training session. I want them to make my life difficult.”

Duvan Zapata is still working his way back to full fitness after a series of injury problems.

“It has been 13 months since he’s been fully fit, I am trying to gradually get him more playing time, as when in good shape he is one of the best strikers in Serie A.”

The Granata have not won the Derby della Mole since April 2015, while their last victory away to Juventus was all the way back in 1995, so a point is considered a very positive result.