Inter host the Italian champions hoping to become the . Match on Saturday at 20:30 CET.
With Juventus having wrapped up their eighth consecutive scudetto win last week, it is difficult to see what the Italian champions will be playing for when they visit their Milanese arch-nemeses this Saturday. That said, the Derby D’Italia has become a match that carries its own weight and importance to the two sides independent of league standing and position and the side from Turin will relish raining on Inter’s parade and probably deem the prospect a trophy in itself.
With Atalanta and Milan breathing down Inter’s necks, the hosts will be hoping to be the third side to beat Juventus in their last four matches across all competitions. Inter’s form has been stuttering as of late, but the return to fitness of Marcelo Brozovic might be the piece that brings some stability to the Nerazzurri’s play. Inter cannot afford to start the match in the same tepid manner as they did against Roma last week. For Inter to hope to take anything from this match, they must execute the perfect match from start to finish.
Inter must take note of Ajax’s performances against the Bianconeri if they’re to find a win here. Ajax pressed Juve high, left little spaces and moved the ball quickly from back to front. Juventus’s weakest link will be their midfield, and choking them will be fundamental in getting a result here. However, it is known to all that Inter’s squad does not possess the same level of fitness that Ajax’s does. Inter must blitz Juve at the start, hope for a goal and then will probably have to defend the lead strongly, hoping to bag another goal on the break.
This match is never a walk in the park, but there has been no time in recent memory where conditions have lined up more favourably to beat Juventus. Inter must capitalize.
Team News
Marcelo Brozovic is back. The Croatian has recovered from his thigh injury and will be expected to start the match in the midfield. Otherwise, Luciano Spaletti thankfully has no other injuries or suspensions to contend with and for the first time in quite a while, he will be able to select his best eleven to start the match.
Probable Inter line-up (4-2-3-1); Handanovic (C); D’Ambrosio, Di Vrij, Skriniar, Asamoah; Brozovic, Vecino; Politano, Nainggolan, Perisic; Lautaro
Stats
Last Season: Inter 1 – 1 Juventus
Last 10 Head to Head: It is difficult to speak of a head to head record against Juve when matches have consistently been fraught with ridiculous refereeing such as the corresponding farce of a fixture last season. Either way, the record books note that Inter have beaten Juventus just once and tied twice in the last ten matches between the two.
Keep an Eye on
Marcelo Brozovic: The Croatian midfield maestro has returned back from his injury and not a minute too soon. Inter’s midfield performs so inconsistently without the enigmatic Croat handling the reins. Brozovic’s tempo dictation and longitudinal passing will be of fundamental importance if Inter want to consistently threaten the Bianconeri’s goal.
Officials
Referee: Luca Banti.
Assistants: Vuoto and Manganelli.
Fourth Official: Doveri.
VAR Assistants: Mazzoleni and Ranghetti.
Prediction & Concluding Remarks
Prediction & scorers: Inter 2 – 1 Juventus with Lautaro scoring his first goal against the champions and Vecino bagging the winner in dramatic fashion.
Concluding remarks: Despite being the more motivated side between the two, Inter must make sure that their energy must be channeled positively and not allow it to turn into emotional nervousness as the side has been prone to do on occasion. Inter must play their best match for the full ninety minutes and only then can they hope to come out with the win.
