The captivating Derby della Italia, is one of the most awaited fixtures of the Italian Serie A. Although Inter Milan’s slump in recent times has somewhat reduced the magnitude of this once title deciding derby, there can be no doubt that the best of both will be showcased, when Juventus ram heads against the Nerazzuri. Form seldom does matter in derbies and both Juventus and Inter Milan, are currently victims of it. Juventus lost the Super Coppa Italia against Napoli and although the team resides at the top of the Serie A, morale could play a pivotal role. While Inter Milan’s campaign has been plagued with inconsistency. The Nerazzuri currently reel at 11th in Serie A and have appointed a new manager in Roberto Mancini, to drastically change the view of things. With AS Roma hot on their trails, Juventus would hope to shrug off their defeat against Napoli, deliver a solid performances and grab all three points. We take a look at three things that Juventus should do against Inter Milan to win.
Nullify The Threat Of Hernanes
Although Inter Milan, have a mediocre midfield when juxtaposed to Juventus’, Brazilian Hernanes has the capability to change things on his own. The Brazilian, has often been a standout performer in a mediocre midfield and has acted as creative outlet for the Nerazzuri. Hernanes, thus far has created 23 chances, more than any Inter Milan player. His ability to pierce the heart of defense with an accurate through ball, could be a major threat for Juventus. Combine that with his ability to take on players and unleash a venomous long shot and you get the prefect recipe for a midfield general. However with the trio of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo present, Hernanes’ talents could be easily subdued. Although, Juventus are expected to dominate the midfield region, the threat of Hernanes should not be take lightly and could be nullified by either Vidal or Pereyra, who is expected to power the two man strike force, marking him.
Allow Andrea Pirlo Time On The Ball
Few players have the capacity, the capability to unlock defenses and change matches by a single swipe of their foot. Juventus’s Andrea Pirlo, is perhaps the epitome of the trait aforementioned. Operating as a regista, Pirlo makes the most out of anything, if he is provided time in his area of operation. With Inter Milan likely to commit men behind the ball, Pirlo’s ability to unlock defenses could come in handy. The regista, if Juventus are to win this fixture, should be allowed time on the ball, to assess and conduct things on his own.
Constrict Evra’s movement
Perhaps the most important factor that could actually be a deciding factor for this game is Evra’s movement. The former Manchester United player has clearly lost pace and the ability to cover ground. A bombarding Evra vacates space in his wake, which is ideally covered up by Chiellini. Now, Inter are expected to operate with a two man strike force in the form of Palacio and Icardi – both are pacey candidates. With Chiellini covering up Evra’s ground and a certain Leonardo Bonucci, who lacks speed, left exposed, Juventus could land up in trouble. The gap between Bonucci and Chiellini, might be too big to cover and that space could easily be capitalized by the pacey strike force. A quick fix to this problem is to constrict Evra’s movement and let him be more contained when it comes to the defensive aspect of things.