JUVENTUS – INTER | Sunday 8:45pm
On the day of derbies, it is the derby of Italy that will end up hogging all the attention although both Juventus and Inter are surprisingly far from the top of the Serie A table. Massimiliano Allegri’s Bianconeri, protagonists of an extremely disappointing start to the season, in which the elimination from the Champions League already at the group stage caused a stir. The Lady, for the first time in nine years, did not manage to snatch a pass for the round of 16 of the most important event and it is only thanks to a better goal difference compared to the modest Maccabi Haifa that they will be able to take part in the Europa League, despite the meagre points haul: three in six rounds.
The distance from the leading Napoli already exceeds double figures. Reason why it will be really complicated, for the Livorno coach, to get back into the fight for the tricolour. Juventus, fresh from three victories in a row (Turin, Empoli and Lecce), will aim at winning the last three matches before the break for the World Cup, to then start again in January with the hope – at least this is the hope in the Bianconeri’s environment – of being able to count on the full squad. Simone Inzaghi’s Nerazzurri are just two points ahead, having returned to the Champions League zone thanks to a long series of consecutive victories, but they cannot slow down considering the delay against the direct competitors for the tricolour. Inter were also involved in the Champions League this week, despite the match against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena being little more than a friendly: Lautaro and his team-mates lost 2-0, as they did in the first leg, but were already certain to finish second behind the Bavarians.
Juventus-Inter: latest line-up news
Barella
The Bianconeri’s infirmary is slowly starting to empty. Allegri, having re-embraced Chiesa, will also bring on Bremer, Di Maria and Vlahovic but only the Brazilian defender will get a chance from the 1′. The coach is thinking of an atypical 3-5-1-1 with Miretti as a trequartista behind Milik. Fagioli, who scored the goal that allowed Juventus to defeat Lecce, will also be in the starting line-up. In front of Szczesny will play Danilo, Bremer and Bonucci, while the two outside lanes will be dominated by Kostic and Cuadrado.
With Lukaku unlikely to return until 2023, Inzaghi will rely on the tried-and-tested pair of Lautaro Martinez and Dzeko. Doubtful Bastoni in defence, certain instead the presence of Acerbi. Brozovic has started training again, but the Croatian will not rush his recovery time. In his place again Mkhitaryan, who will keep Calhanoglu and Barella company. On the outside Dimarco and Dumfries.
The Prediction
A big match that, beyond the historical rivalry that unites the two clubs, neither can afford to fail. Last year they faced each other on more than one occasion: Inter almost always came out on top (even in the Supercoppa Italia and Coppa Italia, but only after extra time), but we witnessed three very balanced clashes, despite the Bianconeri starting off as underdogs. It will probably be the same this time too, with Bianconeri and Nerazzurri scoring at least one goal each. Simone Inzaghi’s attack – he is the coach who has beaten Juve the most times in the last six seasons – should be able to break through what is, to date, the best defence in the league. A draw, finally, is not to be ruled out, although Inter are allergic to this sign this year.
The probable formations of Juventus-Inter
- JUVENTUS (3-5-1-1): Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Bremer; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Miretti; Milik.
- INTER (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Dzeko.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
