The Derby D’Italia returns, marking one of the footballing calendar’s most important dates in the season. Match tonight Sunday at 20:45 CET.

The Derby D’Italia is a very special match. It holds the same expectation and anticipation of the Milan Derby but with an added layer of acrimony and proper tension.

Juve have had a very well documented difficult start to their season, but manager extraordinaire Max Allegri seems to have found his team’s right footing and the Old Lady is currently on a six match winning streak across all competitions.

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter have been on a bit of a roller coaster run of form since their explosive start to the season. Inzaghi knows that a loss here would probably gravely complicate matters for him and his squad.

That said, the Inter manager will also know that playing for a draw against Allegri rarely produces the desired result.

To beat an Allegri Juve, one must take them to the sword. This does not necessarily mean high pressing and attacking play for ninety minutes, but it does mean that Inter cannot be as wasteful as they have been in front of their opponents’ goal.

Inter will also need to be tactically disciplined to the duration of the game, leaving no room for Juan Cuadrado, Alvaro Morata and Paolo Dybala to capitalize on any individual errors.

Inzaghi must also ensure that Marcelo Brozovic is not marked out of the match, as had been the case in the past. Relying on wide attacks through Ivan Perisic and Denzel Dumfries (or Matteo Darmian) will keep the centre unclogged.

Team News

This is a special day. Inzaghi will have almost every player available for selection. It might be the case that both Stefano Sensi and Joaquin Correa need to pass a last minute physical test, but all indications seem to lean towards a full squad for selection.

Probable Line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic (C); Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Calhanoglu, Brozovic, Barella; Perisic; Lautaro, Dzeko

Stats

Last Season: Inter 2 – 0 Juventus.

Last 10 Head to Head: It’s difficult to hold a superior head to head record against Juventus especially in light of their league dominance of late. Inter trail their visitors with two wins to to their six over the past ten matches.

Keep An Eye On:

Lautaro Martinez: The Argentine striker has been on fine form during the international break scoring a pair of goals in as many matches.

Despite not finding the back of the net against Sheriff, El Toro will be looking for some semblance of continuity in scoring and will be fired up to get on the score sheet here.

Officials

Referee: Maurizio Mariani.
Assistants: Meli and Peretti.
Fourth Official: Ayroldi.
VAR: Guida and Passeri.

Prediction & Concluding Remarks

Prediction & scorers: Inter 1 – 0 Juventus. A cagey affair where Inter finally keep a clean sheet against the kingdom of evil. Lautaro will win it for the hosts.

Concluding remarks: This seems like another pivotal moment very early in the Inter season. Inter are yet to show that they have the mental fortitude to control matches from start to finish.

Ensuring that they are able to do this against the kingdom of evil will probably do wonders for this team’s self-belief and resolve.