Juventus do not have to win Sunday’s Derby d’Italia against Inter to stay in the Serie A title hunt, at least according to the Bianconeri’s captain Giorgio Chiellini.
Antonio Conte’s side are four points clear of the Bianconeri heading into the match at San Siro, albeit Juventus have a game in hand.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia following yesterday’s Coppa Italia win over Genoa, in which Juve also required extra-time to qualify like Inter against Fiorentina, Chiellini insisted that while it was an important match, it will not be a decisive one at such an early stage in the season.
“Are we forced to win against Inter? No,” the highly experienced Italian national team player told the broadcaster.
“It is an important match, but not decisive. The full group is still missing, it will not be the last match in the season for us or for them.
“We want to do well, against a great team, it will be match which will be decided by certain key moments.
“It’s a very balanced season that will be decided by the small details.”
Chiellini was then asked if it is important that he and his teammates do not lose against the Nerazzurri, but refused to be drawn on anything specific.
“We would like to win all the matches we play, head-to-head matches are open to everything happening,” he added.
In conclusion he was asked about Inter’s prolific striker Romelu Lukaku, who will almost certainly prove to be a handful for the centre-back.
“In one-on-one situations, I think he can be stopped only by a few people, the whole team will have to do a good defensive job.
“Lukaku is crucial for Inter.”
Inter versus Juventus is scheduled to kick off at 20:45 local time on Sunday night.