Juventus will host arch-rivals Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia on Sunday evening as they look to return to winning ways after back-to-back draws in their previous two fixtures. Meanwhile, Inter Milan got a welcome win against Sampdoria last weekend, and this game against Juventus will be crucial as they chase the elusive third spot in the table.
Juventus will temporarily move four points clear at the top with a win against Inter Milan on Sunday, with second-placed Napoli facing a tricky away trip to Fiorentina on the following day. There is some good news for Massimiliano Allegri in terms of his defence, but the Old Lady will be without key midfielder Claudio Marchisio.
Roberto Mancini will be able to welcome back midfield powerhouse Geoffrey Kondogbia for the clash at the Juventus Stadium, with the Frenchman returning after serving a one-game suspension.
Mario Mandzukic will make his first league start after injury layoff
Juventus manager Max Allegri will welcome back Alex Sandro and Giorgio Chiellini ahead of this high-voltage clash, which will allow him to switch back to his favoured 3-5-2 formation. Claudio Marchisio had to be replaced at half-time against Bayern Munich on Tuesday and he will be out for seven days. Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic are expected to start up front in the Bianconeri’s attack.
Paulo Dybala revealed to Corriere dello Sport this week that he rejected Juventus’ upcoming opponents Inter in the summer. “Before joining Juventus I had a talk with Mancini,” Dybala said. “I thanked him for this call, but I always wanted to join Juventus because they are the stronger team.”
Geoffrey Kondogbia will be available after his suspension was reduced to one game
Roberto Mancini will have Geoffrey Kondogbia available for selection for this match after his three-match ban was overturned. However, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic will be absent for the trip to Turin. Jonathan Biabiany could start on the right wing with Ivan Perisic on the left. Stevan Jovetic continues to remain absent from the starting lineup despite his promising start to the season.
Eder is still looking for his first goal since joining Inter in the January transfer window. His only goal against Juventus came in 2011 when he was playing for Brescia. Club captain Mauro Icardi, however, loves to score against Juventus. “We must always give our best,” club captian Icardi told Inter Channel. “Our thought is to win every game and this one is worth three points to us as opposed to the clash in the Coppa Italia.”
