Serie A Preview: Juventus - Inter

The derby d'Italia needs little introduction. Both teams will be desperate to win the mammoth battle. A loss for Juve will be arrivederci Scudetto...

Juventus On The Precipice

Nobody expected Juventus to crumble like they did at Cagliari last week. Two weeks ago Mauro Camoranesi was hoping his side headed into the derby d’Italia level on points with Inter. Things have turned out differently. Juve are a big club and this is a big match, anything less than a win could end their Scudetto hopes.

Ciro Ferrara’s men have been on the edge recently. Major summer signings have not delivered, injuries have taken their toll and an air of uneasiness has ripped through Vinovo. It seems everyone has had enough. Juve heir John Elkann is reportedly annoyed, while fans have shown their frustrations this week by protesting against the club. All this comes in the build up to the game of the season.

Pressure has increased on Ferrara. He has kept a low profile this week as he focuses on the game. Players trained behind closed doors on Wednesday, a sign that things are serious in Turin. Eight points separate the teams and while this might not be the best of moments for the Old Lady, they must remain positive. They need to raise their game and give fans the incentive to support the team rather than raze them.

In their favour is Juve’s home record against the Nerazzurri. In 76 matches between these two in Turin, Juventus boast a big advantage over their fierce rivals. The Old Lady has won 52, drawn 14 and lost 10 at home. In those games they have scored 137 and conceded 60. They have a 68.42 percent win ratio over the Nerazzurri.

While the numbers make for positive reading, everyone at Juve will want to avoid becoming another tried, but failed statistic.

Inter Eager To Put Juve To The Sword

Jose Mourinho takes his men to the Olimpico di Torino well aware that a win will all but see the Bianconeri crash out of the Scudetto race. His only concern has been the form in Europe. In Serie A the Nerazzurri have been on another planet. They have the best attack and defence, have only lost once all season and will be eager to underline their intent here.

All the hype has been on Mario Balotelli. There have been fears he will be targeted by unpalatable chants in Turin. The feeling is Mourinho may leave him in the stands to avoid any potential danger between fans. The ‘Special One’ has never won in Turin as a coach, he will be looking to change that. In fact the last time Inter won here was in 2005. Roberto Mancini was the coach back then, his side won 1-0.

While a loss would not be the end of the world for the Nerazzurri, Mourinho will be keen to come out with a good result. A home clash with Rubin Kazan next Wednesday in the Champions League awaits his charges. It’s here where they need to prioritise. A loss will end their European dream, and thus it’s vital they head into that game with the right mindset – this can be shaped in Turin.

Despite their advantage in the league, the Beneamata have looked sloppy in their last two games. A loss to Barcelona in Europe underlined weaknesses in the team. While they only just scraped a win against Fiorentina last week thanks to a dubious Diego Milito penalty. Compare that to Juve, who haven’t been awarded a spot kick in over seven months.

Form Guide

Juventus

November 29 v Cagliari (A) – LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

November 25 v Bordeaux (A) – LOST 2-0 (Champions League)
November 22 v Udinese (H) – WON 1-0 (Serie A)
November 7 v Atalanta (A) - WON 5-2 (Serie A)
November 3 v Maccabi Haifa (A) - WON 1-0 (Champions League)

Inter

November 29 v Fiorentina (H) – WON 1-0 (Serie A)
November 24 v Barcelona (A) – LOST 2-0 (Champions League)
November 21 v Bologna (A) – WON 3-1 (Serie A)
November 8 v Roma (H) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)
November 4 v Dynamo Kiev (A) – WON 2-1 (Champions League)

Team News

Juventus

The good news is that both Giorgio Chiellini and David Trezeguet have returned to training action. The stopper has recovered from nasal surgery and is likely to wear a protective mask for the game. ‘Treze’ is back from a calf strain that has kept him out for three weeks. There are doubts over whether Felipe Melo will play. Fabio Grosso is also in doubt. Both players will be monitored leading up to kick off. There are no suspensions.

Probable Starting XI 4-3-1-2: Buffon, Caceres, Cannavaro, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Camoranesi, Sissoko, Marchisio; Diego; Amauri, Del Piero.

Inter

Wesley Sneijder is still recovering from a muscular injury and is unlikely to feature. Ricardo Quaresma, Joel Obi and Davide Santon have been following specific training programmes. The Italian is out until 2010 as he recovers from surgery to fix a meniscus. Douglas Maicon will serve the last of his two match ban and thus misses the game.

Probable Starting XI 4-3-1-2: Cesar; Zanetti, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Thiago Motta, Cambiasso, Muntari; Stankovic; Eto’o, Milito.

Players To Watch

Juventus

Diego has not been playing to his best, coming under scrutiny in the process. Questions have been raised, and he must provide answers. There are no doubts over his talents. He could be the key to unlocking Inter on the night.

Inter

Diego Milito is currently the leading scorer with nine to his name with the Nerazzurri in Serie A. Juve will need to keep him shackled as he is the principal danger man.

Prediction

The derby d’Italia is seldom easy to predict. Expect a tight and balanced affair. Juventus are unlikely to crumble like Milan did back in August. With so much riding on this game, it’s down to the home side to perform. Inter will be less concerned, but will be eager not to allow Juve any source of hope. A draw seems on the horizon, but Ferrara’s men will edge it.

Juventus 2-1 Inter

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com