On Sunday night the San Siro plays host to the 265th edition of the Derby d’Italia, with the match expected to have major ramifications on the outcome of this season’s Scudetto. This weekend’s clash may not yet decide the league winners, defeat for Juventus would leave them 4 points behind Inter having also played a game more than the Milanese side.
The Build-up
With tensions already heightened, the Juve boss, Allegri, compared his side to Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner and Inter to runner-up Novak Djokovic. Afterwards stating “I don’t want them to take it badly, they are touchy”.
Following the Bianconeri’s 1-1 draw at home to Empoli on Saturday, Allegri stated that Inter were the “absolute Scudetto favourites”. However, his counterpart, Nerazzurri boss Simeone Inzaghi has looked to not engage in the war of words. Speaking about the Juventus squad stated he fears Dusan Vlahovic and Adrien Rabiot more than others.
But, with the top two set to collide in a raucous San Siro, the stage is set for one of Europe’s most iconic fixtures.
Form
Both sides come into this game with one league defeat so far. Inter and Juve both suffered defeats to Sassuolo within four days of each other.
Newly crowned Super Cup champions, Inter Milan head into Sunday’s fixture with 6 victories in their last 7 in all competitions. Such impressive form does not always translate into success in the Derby d’Italia, Inter have won just 1 of the last 6 meetings losing 3 in this time.
Having earned 54 points in 21 games, this is the host’s highest return at this stage of a season since the 2006/07 season.
Visitors Juventus come into this fixture having avoided defeat in their last 19 games in all competitions. Before last Saturday’s slip-up at home to Empoli the Bianconeri had been on a run of 7 straight wins. With no European football concerning them Juventus and Allegri’s sole focus is winning the Scudetto, having last had their hands on it in the 2019/20 season.
Players to watch
For Inter Lautaro Martinez has averaged a goal per game so far in the league scoring 19 goals in 19 games. The 26-year-old Argentine has scored 4 in his last 3 Serie A matches and 3 of those 4 goals have occurred in the first 15 minutes.
Dusan Vlahovic has been in fine form for the Bianconeri in their pursuit of Inter. The Serbian Forward has a return of 6 league goals in his last 4 matches.
Prediction
As well as being the top two in the league table, both sides have the most stingy defensive records in the league, conceding a combined 23 in 43 league games.
Expect this to be a tight match and a game of fine margins. With Juventus dropping points and falling behind Inter last weekend, Allegri may have to adjust his approach in this game. This is likely to be a more attacking approach than is typical however this may be of benefit to a clinical Inter team, who do not lack quality in front of goal.
Prediction: Inter 1-0 Juventus “
