Third-placed Inter welcomes seventh-placed Juventus at San Siro in the historical Derby d'Italia with just three points separating each other on the table. Inzaghi's men only suffered their first defeat of the campaign last weekend while the Old Lady of Turin managed to turn around their poor start to their campaign with four consecutive Serie A victories.
INT vs JUV Match Details :
When: Sunday, 24 October/ Monday, 25 October
Timings: 20:45 (CET)/ 00:15 (IST)
Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazze, Milan
INT vs JUV Match Preview :
The first Derby d'Italia of the season will serve two sides desperate to close their gap with high-flying Napoli on top, carrying a hundred percent record over eight games so far. So, a win over here becomes vital for either side. As said, Inter suffered their first misery of the campaign against manager Inzaghi's former side as Lazio came from behind to win the game 3-1 in the second half. Ivan Perisic tucked away a penalty in the first half but Inter's defensive resilience were broken by a Ciro Immobile penalty after Bastoni handled the ball inside the box followed by goals from Felipe Anderson and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Inzaghi felt hard done by the defeat but then an impressive 3-1 victory of their own against Sheriff in Europe put things back into place. Inter has been more defensive this season than under Conte but despite the criticism, they are hoping it will yield them the required result in the weekend.
Allegri has managed to change fortunes for Juventus after a torrid start to the campaign with six wins out of six in all competition after not even registering one victory in the first four Serie A games. Aside from Roma, Juventus have failed to defeat any other title challengers so far but that cannot undermine the positivity they are having lately despite not playing the best football. The sale of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer has definitely affected them but it's time for them to show they can do it on a collective strength rather than relying on individual brilliance. Like Inter, Allegri likes to shut the door at the back as known by their consecutive 1-0 wins recently but it is all to stop leaking goals the way they did at the beginning of the campaign. Juventus desperately needs these points to get into the top four or risk opening a six-point gap with Inter and a further nine points with Napoli on top.
Recent Form (all competitions)
Inter: WLWDD
Juventus: WWWWW
INT vs JUV Team News :
Inter boasts a fit squad to play this massive derby in Italian football with Hakan Calhanoglu returning to the squad after injury but faces serious contention for the starting spot with Arturo Vidal. The Chilean restored Inter's lead over Sheriff after his corner was volleyed fabulously in by Edin Dzeko for the opener in a five-star performance getting into the starting eleven. Vidal's solidity in the middle of the park also makes him a candidate to begin ahead of the Turkish star. Stefano Sensi has also returned from his knee injury and is going to be included in the squad. Inzaghi has a decision to make on the left wing back spot with either Dimarco or in-form Perisic to keep his role provided that Bastoni returns to back three. Denzel Dumfries set to begin the game on the opposite flank.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said that he has to access Adrien Rabiot's situation after the Frenchman recovered from his long fight with Covid. He tested negative a day back. The good news for the Bianconeri fans that Dybala is available after suffering an injury at the back end of September but he has now completed two training seasons for the crucial game at the weekend. Arthur is slowly coming into condition to start games with Allegri wishing him to be a starter soon. All the injury issues are sorted but the lack of personnel in midfield will again feature the trio of Bentancur, Locatelli and Mckennie after playing against Zenit in the Champions League. Alvaro Morata and Matthijs de Ligt are already back from their injury and will start the game.
INT vs JUV Predicted Lineups :
Inter: Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni, Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Arturo Vidal, Ivan Perisic, Eden Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez
Juventus: Wojciech Szczesny; Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro, Juan Cuadrado, Rodrigo Bentancur, Manuel Locatelli, Federico Bernardeschi, Alvaro Morata, Federico Chiesa
INT vs JUV Head to Head :
The last Derby d'Italia played in San Siro in 2020 saw Inter claim first win over Juventus since 2016, also at the venue. Nico Barella had an outstanding evening with an assist for Vidal's opener before getting into scoresheet himself to secure the victory. This win ultimately provided the statement of Inter dethroning Juventus for the Scudetto. The Bianconeri however took the revenge in the next derby in Coppa Italia winning 1-2 & going on to secure the silverware.
INT vs JUV Dream11 Team Predictions:
INT vs JUV Dream11 Team Suggestion #1 - If the choice is Chiesa:
GK: Szczęsny (JUV)
DEF: Alex Sandro (JUV), Bonucci (JUV), Skriniar (INT), Dumfries (INT)
MID: Brozovic (INT), Locatelli (JUV), Barella (INT)
FW: Perisic (INT), Martinez (INT), Chiesa (JUV)
INT vs JUV Dream11 Team Suggestion #2 - If the choice is Dzeko:
GK: Szczesny (JUV)
DEF: Alex Sandro (JUV), Bonucci (JUV), Skriniar (INT), Dumfries (INT)
MID: Brozovic (INT), Locatelli (JUV), Barella (INT)
FW: Perisic (INT), Dzeko (INT), Martinez (INT)
INT vs JUV Match Prediction: Inter 1-1 Juventus
Both sides prioritise their defense first and will remain so even though the occasion demands more on the attacking front. Juventus's poor record against top opposition will play a part in this game but they won't be defeated neither does Inter look to be the side to go on and grab all three points against their derby rivals. It will be a tight affair between the side and sometimes hard to watch football will accumulate in a draw. The sharing of points will only go on to help Napoli and the other top drawers in the race.
Stay tuned to the Fantasy Football section for upcoming match updates.
