Suspensions & League Table Math – Serie A Title Shown Between Inter Milan & Juventus Has Virtually Already Begun

Between various suspensions and the league table math, Inter Milan’s clash with Juventus next weekend has virtually already begun.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who note how this weekend’s events are already playing a role in next Sunday’s Serie A title showdown.

It was always inevitable that Inter and Juventus would have next weekend’s match in the back of their minds in advance.

The Derby d’Italia is always an intense fixture for both teams. And the fact that it has the air of a potential title-decider has brought that sense to a fever pitch.

And so this weekend was always going to be interpreted through a filter of that match.

The fact that it’s already been an eventful one is setting up certain dynamics for next weekend.

How Inter Vs Juventus Title Showdown Is Virtually Already Underway

Firstly, as Tuttosport notes, there is the matter of suspensions for the two teams.

For Inter, this weekend sees the Nerazzurri get two suspensions “out of the way” ahead of the match against Juventus.

Inter will have to cope without two key midfielders – Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu – against Fiorentina this evening.

That will not be easy. But it has the upside that the Nerazzurri will definitely not miss either through suspension in the big match against Juventus.

Meanwhile, the Bianconeri will be without striker Arkadiusz Milik.

The Pole got sent off in yesterday’s match against Empoli. That was not only significant for the match against Empoli – which Juventus drew. It also means they’ll be without Milik against Inter.

And that draw against Empoli is also an important conditioning factor.

The league table math will undeniably play a role in next Sunday’s match. Even if only psychology.

Had Juventus beaten Empoli yesterday, it would have put them four points clear of Inter.

Even with the Nerazzurri having games in hand against Fiorentina (today) and Atalanta (next month), the pressure would be enormous.

If Inter had slipped up this evening, then Juventus could have gone into the Derby d’Italia with a three- or four-point gap.

But instead, it was the Bianconeri who slipped up. That means that Inter have the chance to go a point ahead of their rivals – with a game in hand – ahead of next Sunday.

At the very least, Inter will be just two points behind even if they lose.