Italian Serie A Preview: Juventus Vs Inter Milan

Written By Jacobs Dunga

Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus welcome Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan to Turin on Sunday for Italy’s biggest fixture. The Bianconeri by their standards are having a difficult season under Allegri with just 22 points gained over the first twelve games. The record Italian champions are also out of this season’s Champions League with three points gained from a possible eighteen and five losses suffered in the group. There’s been call for the manager to be sacked amidst the disappointing results but the club has continued to back their man whilst hoping for a turnaround. The Old Lady are in seventh place on the log with 22 points, two behind perennial rivals Inter who are sixth. The game could possibly make or break Juve’s season as a loss will put them further behind in the standings.

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Inter Milan started the season in the most unconvincing fashion. Inzaghi saw his side lose four of their first eight games of the Serie A season with the other four being uninspiring victories over teams in the bottom half of the table. The Nerazzurri have since rediscovered themselves and have been on a winning spree of five games in the league. They were also able to pick up four points over two legs against Barcelona while also sweeping aside Viktoria Plzen during that period. They go into Sunday’s tie as favourites and will be determined to come back with all three points to keep their title hopes alive.

TEAM NEWS

Max Allegri has something to cheer about after welcoming Federico Chiesa back to the pitch against PSG.

Inter on their part will welcome star midfielder Marcelo Brozovic back to the fold for the all important clash.

Juventus will also have Dusan Vlahovic and Angel Di Maria to call upon on Sunday.

Romelu Lukaku will be missing for this clash after returning to Belgium following a new discomfort suffered against Sampdoria.

STYLE

We may see Max Allegri deploy his team in a 3-5-2 set up to contain his opponents’ midfield prowess on Sunday. The Bianconeri have been far from convincing in their style of play this season but have been very solid at the back.

Simone Inzaghi’s never changing 3-5-2 formation will undoubtedly be seen again on Sunday with Calhanoglu pulling the strings in the heart of the midfield yet again. Their slick movement of the ball could cause problems for the Juventus team.

FORM

Juventus have won their last three Serie A games since losing to AC Milan at the start of October. They’re also yet to concede in that period but lost all three of their UCL games in the same period.

Inter are on a four game winning streak in the league since losing to Roma on October first. Their qualification from their Champions League group is an added motivation.

HEAD TO HEAD

Inter have won all of the last three meetings between the two sides including the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana games.

Juventus went down 0-1 at home in this fixture last season which was their first home loss to Inter since 2012.

Inter are unbeaten in the last four matches between these two.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dusan Vlahovic has been outstanding for his side this season with six goals in ten games. He should be a menace to the fumbling Inter defence come Sunday.