Serie A is set for its Derby d’Italia with Inter Milan eager to increase their lead and Juventus aiming to reign supreme.
Inter Milan had a near-flawless December, drawing just one domestically, and 2024 has been perfect so far ahead of the visit of Juventus. Simone Inzaghi will hope to keep up their current form and continue with their title push, which, on current form, makes them the favourites to lift the Scudetto.
In the previous matchday, Inter Milan came out as narrow winners over Fiorentina, which also meant they reclaimed their top spot. Juventus suffered a morale-sapping draw against Empoli, in a game many expected them to win and keep their place at the summit.
Now, Inzaghi’s men have the golden opportunity to extend their current advantage and open up a four-point gap over Juventus by winning this latest edition of the Derby d’Italia at San Siro. This is Serie A’s top-of-the-table clash, which could either set the record straight for Inter Milan or peg them back, which would undoubtedly be seen as a setback by their manager and fans.
Juventus have had a consistent season in many years, which could well be due to their expulsion from European Football and the lack of other distractions. They have had their fair share of off-field problems since the campaign began. But Massimiliano Allegri has helped the players maintain their focus and mount a title challenge.
With AC Milan huffing and puffing in their slim hopes of challenging Inter and Juventus for the title, the Bianconeri have taken full advantage of the situation and make every game count. They did have a golden opportunity to increase their lead over Inter in the last matchday but could only manage a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Empoli.
A win in that game would have allowed Juventus to maintain a two-point advantage over Inter Milan, albeit having played a game more. However, that slender lead would have heaped pressure on the Nerazzurri. However, with the turn of events, the tables have turned on the Bianconeri instead as they travel to San Siro for the latest edition of the Derby d’Italia.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi will have a full-fledged squad to choose from for the Derby d’Italia, which enables the Inter Milan manager to name his strongest eleven against Juventus. Hence, compared to the lineup that took the stage against Fiorentina, there will be a few changes at the back and in midfield.
Injury-wise, only former Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado will miss out as he contends with a long-term injury. In terms of returning stars in defence, Francesco Acerbi and Federico Dimarco should find themselves in the starting lineup at the expense of Stefan de Vrij and Carlos Augusto.
Moreover, key midfield duo Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu also returned from their suspensions. The pair will replace Davide Frattesi and Kristjan Asllani, respectively, with the Turkish star set to assume his place as Inter Milan’s deep-lying playmaker at the base of midfield.
The midfield will also consist of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Dimarco and Darmian will assume the roles in the wing-back positions. Inzaghi will leave his strike force untouched, with skipper Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram set to continue their partnership in the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Juventus
Much like Inter Milan, Juventus will also have an almost entire squad for Massimiliano Allegri to choose from ahead of this crucial clash at San Siro. There will be minimal changes to the setup, although the manager will welcome the returns of crucial stars. New signing Carlos Alcaraz will likely start from the bench rather than being named in the first-eleven
The most significant boost is the return to fitness of key midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who had missed the last two games with a calf problem. The Frenchman should slot straight into the starting lineup in place of Fabio Miretti. There is also a boost with Federico Chiesa, although the winger should come on as an option from the bench rather than from the start.
Manuel Locatelli will sit at the base of the Juventus midfield, with Weston McKennie on the other side of the Italian international. Andrea Cambiaso and Filip Kostic are best placed to play in the wing-back roles for Juventus.
At the back, Allegri could prefer Danilo over compatriot Alex Sandro, while Gleison Bremer and Federico Gatti will keep their places in that back three. Up front, with Chiesa a potential substitute option and Arkadiusz Milik suspended, Allegri might keep faith in rookie forward Kenan Yildiz and his star man Dusan Vlahovic to provide the impetus in the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Vlahovic, Yildiz
Key Stats
- Inter Milan have been winning at both half-time and full-time in seven of their last eight matches in Serie A.
- Inter Milan are undefeated in their last 15 matches in the Serie A.
- Simone Inzaghi has a 4-2 lead over Massimiliano Allegri in Derby d’Italia clashes.
- Juventus are undefeated in their last 17 matches in Serie A.
- With a win, Massimiliano Allegri could become the first Serie A manager to reach 1000 points.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
Martinez will play in, by far, his most important game this season when he captains Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia. There is plenty at stake for the Argentine striker to consider, as Simone Inzaghi and the Inter Milan fans will place all their hopes on his shoulders.
Martinez is also the top scorer in the division with 19 goals, while Juventus counterpart Dusan Vlahovic lies in a distant second spot with 12 strikes. There is more impetus on the Argentine to race away in the top scorer’s charts, although he will hope his goals allow Inter Milan to extend their advantage at the top of the Serie A standings to four points after Sunday.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-1 Juventus
These are two teams in supreme form, taking on each other in a bid to gain supremacy in the Serie A title race. Juventus might have been unbeaten in 17 league games so far, but they are possibly a bit inferior to the overall quality that Inter Milan possess.
Simone Inzaghi will also have home advantage by his side, as he will certainly hope for a better result than the dull 1-1 draw the two teams played out in the reverse fixture in Turin earlier this season. Comparing both teams’ qualities and their overall form, Inter Milan might have the edge to collect all three points and go four clear at the top after Sunday.
