Juventus vs Inter Milan: Preview and Prediction
Inter Milan makes the trip to Turin to take on Juventus in this edition of the Derby d’Italia, with title ramifications on the line for the Nerazzuri.
Juventus have shown ample signs that they are ready to march forward rather than stutter in some important games. Following a disastrous season dominated by their propensity to draw games, the Bianconeri are currently on the mend and stitching together a good enough winning run.
In the most recent game in the Champions League, they were able to see off PSV Eindhoven on home soil as goals from Weston McKennie and Samuel Mbangula proved enough to take a slender advantage to Enidhoven for the return leg of their playoffs round, as they will bid to reach the round of 16.
Back on to league matters, Juventus are coming into this big Derby d’Italia at the back of consecutive wins over Empoli and Como, with Randal Kolo Muani the star of the show on both occasions. Now they face Inter Milan at home, as Thiago Motta will want to stake a claim at another chance to push for a higher place in the table.
While Juventus’ immediate target would be to get back into Champions League places, Inter Milan have something bigger at stake ahead of this clash. The Nerazzuri are contesting a tightly fought title race, with Napoli sitting only a point above them at the top of the standings.
Simone Inzaghi will want to stay as close as possible to leaders Napoli, and that would require them to beat Juventus away from home in this upcoming Derby d’Italia. A loss or dropped points is what Napoli will be hoping from such a big game, but Inter Milan have the tools to make a statement win away from home.
Inter Milan does not have the absolute momentum that Inzaghi would have wanted before such a big game. They have drawn to AC Milan recently and followed that up with a stunning 3-0 loss to Fiorentina before beating the Viola in the reverse fixture. Inzaghi will want a total performance against Juventus to keep pace with leaders Napoli.
Motta will keep an eye on the second leg with PSV Eindhoven, which could influence his team’s selection for this one. The Bianconeri boss went with a changed lineup in midweek, meaning some of the regulars who sat on the bench for that clash could return to the fold.
For instance, Khephren Thuram and Francisco Conceicao are all set for returns. Those changes could see Weston McKennie moving back into the left-back slot to decide his goalscoring display against PSV Eindhoven. Federico Gatti and Renato Veiga are expected to play in central defence, with Nicola Savona set to occupy the right-ba
ck slot.
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