Inter Milan will hope to make up for lost ground when they take on a perfect Juventus side on Saturday in Turin.
Italian football comes to a standstill on Saturday evening as the Derby d’Italia takes centre stage at the Allianz Stadium, with Juventus hosting Inter Milan in one of the most storied fixtures in Serie A history.
Both sides enter the clash with ambitions of reclaiming the Scudetto from Napoli, although they arrive in contrasting moods. Juventus have started the campaign perfectly, collecting maximum points from their opening fixtures, while Inter faltered just before the international break and already find themselves chasing.
Juventus have shown early signs of momentum under Igor Tudor, who begins his first full season at the helm. Wins over Parma Calcio and Genoa have given the Bianconeri a flawless start, easing concerns after last season’s off-field turmoil. Tudor, who steadied the ship after replacing Thiago Motta late last term, now has his sights set on loftier goals, with a genuine push for the Scudetto not out of the question.
History also favours the Old Lady in this rivalry, particularly at home. Juventus have lost just one of their last 11 league meetings with Inter in Turin, and last season’s dramatic encounters only added spice to the narrative. The October 2024 clash at San Siro produced a stunning 4-4 draw, with Kenan Yildiz scoring twice late on, while Francisco Conceicao struck the winner in February’s reverse fixture.
For Inter, this fixture comes at a delicate moment. After blowing Torino away 5-0 on the opening weekend, the Nerazzurri stumbled badly in a 2-1 home defeat to Udinese. That loss not only snapped their domestic momentum but also raised early questions about new boss Cristian Chivu, who was a surprise appointment after guiding Parma to survival last season.
Chivu, one of Inter’s 2010 treble heroes, inherited a side with high expectations but little patience. Having already seen a seven-game winning run against Udinese slip away, he now faces the ultimate test: proving his tactical credentials in the Derby d’Italia. With a Champions League trip to Ajax looming next week, the pressure on Inter to respond is immense.
The stakes remain high even in early September. Juventus’s strong start has created optimism that they can mount a serious title charge, while Inter cannot afford to lose further ground so soon in the race. Beyond the points on offer, pride, history, and momentum make this clash one of the defining fixtures of the Italian football calendar. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Juventus face a few selection dilemmas heading into the Derby d’Italia. In attack, Jonathan David has started brightly for both club and country, putting pressure on Igor Tudor to keep him in the lineup. Meanwhile, Dusan Vlahovic, despite ongoing uncertainty around his contract situation, has made an impact from the bench with goals against both Parma and Genoa.
Summer arrival Lois Openda is another option to lead the line, giving the Bianconeri enviable depth in forward areas. On the downside, winger Francisco Conceicao is a major doubt after withdrawing from international duty with Portugal due to a muscular injury, and midfielder Fabio Miretti remains sidelined with a thigh problem.
Suspension also plays a role in Tudor’s plans. Andrea Cambiaso will serve the second match of a two-game ban following his red card for violent conduct on the opening day. His absence leaves the wing-back slots up for grabs, with Joao Mario and Filip Kostic likely contenders, alongside the versatile duo of Pierre Kalulu and Weston McKennie.
Juventus are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Michele Di Gregorio will start in goal, shielded by a three-man defence of Federico Gatti, Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly. Out wide, Pierre Kalulu is set to operate as the right wing-back, while João Mário takes the opposite flank on the left.
In midfield, Khephren Thuram will provide dynamism alongside Manuel Locatelli, who anchors the side with his control and distribution. Just behind the striker, Teun Koopmeiners and rising star Kenan Yildiz are expected to operate as dual attacking midfielders, supporting Jonathan David, who should spearhead the Juventus attack against Inter Milan.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Kalulu, Thuram, Locatelli, Mario; Koopmeiners, Yildiz; David
Inter Milan
Inter Milan head into the Derby d’Italia with a fully fit squad, giving Cristian Chivu some welcome continuity. The only change expected from the side that slipped to defeat against Udinese could come in defence, where new signing Manuel Akanji is pushing for a debut after his deadline-day arrival from Manchester City.
The Swiss international may replace Yann Bisseck in the back three, but otherwise, the Nerazzurri boss should keep faith with his core group. There are no suspensions to contend with, and Chivu will have a wealth of attacking and midfield options available from the bench, including summer signings Luiz Henrique, Andy Diouf, and Ange-Yoan Bonny.
Up front, Marcus Thuram has already scored twice this season and will again be paired with club captain Lautaro Martínez, who is determined to end his underwhelming record against Juventus, having managed just two goals in 14 Serie A appearances against the Bianconeri.
Inter Milan are expected to set up in their familiar 3-5-2 formation against Juventus. Yann Sommer will be the man between the posts, with Manuel Akanji, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni forming the defensive line. On the flanks, Denzel Dumfries provides thrust down the right, while Federico Dimarco offers width and creativity on the left.
The midfield trio should consist of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Petar Sucic, balancing energy, control, and passing range. Leading the attack, Marcus Thuram will be partnered by Lautaro Martínez, as Inter look to exploit Juventus’s backline with pace and movement.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Key Stats
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Juventus have defeated Inter Milan 88 times, more than any other club in Serie A history, highlighting their long-standing supremacy in this fixture.
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Three of the last four league meetings between Juventus and Inter Milan in the first half of the season have ended in draws, showing how closely contested early-season clashes tend to be.
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Inter Milan have failed to win in 11 of their last 12 league visits to the Allianz Stadium against Juventus (W1 D3 L8). Their only victory came in April 2022 via a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty.
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This is only the third time in history Juventus and Inter will face each other within the opening three matchdays of a Serie A campaign. The previous instances were in 1939 (Inter won 4-0) and 2013 (a 1-1 draw).
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Juventus have started the 2025-26 season with back-to-back clean sheets, and could register three straight shutouts in their first three league games for the first time in their history.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
All eyes will be on Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan’s captain and talisman, as he leads the line in the Derby d’Italia. The Argentine forward has already cemented himself as one of Serie A’s most reliable goalscorers, but this clash provides him with the perfect opportunity to silence doubters regarding his record against Juventus.
Despite netting over 100 goals in an Inter shirt, Lautaro has managed just two goals in 14 league appearances against the Bianconeri, a surprisingly lean return given his otherwise prolific scoring record. With Inter Milan chasing momentum after their slip against Udinese, the responsibility will fall on Martinez to convert his leadership into decisive moments in front of goal.
Known for his sharp movement, intelligent link-up play, and relentless work rate, the Argentine striker thrives in high-pressure games. As captain, his influence goes beyond goals, setting the tone with his pressing and physical duels. But given the weight of the occasion, Inter fans will be hoping that this is the match where he steps up to break his Allianz Stadium hoodoo and write his name into Derby d’Italia folklore.
Prediction
Juventus 2-1 Inter Milan
Juventus’s home record against Inter Milan and their sharp early-season form make them slight favourites, though Inter’s attacking firepower ensures this will not be straightforward. Expect a tightly contested battle where the Bianconeri’s defensive organisation could make the difference. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Igor Tudor and his charges.
