Juventus V/s Inter Milan: Match Preview

Introduction

What can you possibly desire after being at the pinnacle of the mountain like the competition that is Serie A? Just one thing. To make sure you stay there. Serie A has been a one horse race for almost a decade now with the Turin-based Juventus making it a walk in the park with their excellent form of play. But the challengers have finally caught up. It wasn’t a walk in the park last season and it’s certainly not this year as well. Surprisingly Milan has a 7 point lead over the champions and to add to that surprise, it’s not the last year’s runner-up Inter Milan but fallen giants AC Milan who sit at the top and rather comfortably.

There’s almost an undeniable similarity in the league tables across Europe. The usual suspects are not where they should be. They have been replaced by teams who were far from the contention of being champions. Now, will they finish the way they have started is a different debate? But for football fans across the world. This season has been a treat, and as it goes on. We are ready for the new surprises or maybe not. Today we prepare ourselves for the Derby Italia, it’s Juventus vs Inter.

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Game Plan

Inter Milan

With Milan playing 5th placed Atlanta, there is a possibility that they would slip and Inter would love to capitalize on that. Their primary objective would be to avoid a defeat that could derail their title hopes. They are already out of the UCL, so they will be desperate for revival. Here at a ball that matters, we look at inch-perfect details about the teams and their aspirations. We believe that they are just one creative outlet away from an excellent season.

Tactics

This is a high flying Inter side who play equally well at the break and with build-up. With Lukaku as a target man to bring in long balls under control and Martinez as an outlet for an attacking option, Inter has the attack sorted. The full-backs Hakimi and young have enough pace to outrun Danilo and Farbotta who plays in Sandro’s absence.

Juventus

The champions always make it up at the end but this season feels like a daunting season. Unlike Inter Milan, Juventus are having to deal with multiple absentees, including key defenders such as Alex Sandro and Matthijs de Ligt while Paulo Dybala is also out injured. They are 7 points adrift off the top of the table. A place that they have made well and truly theirs in the past seasons. This game is a must-win for Juve if they want to register a strong contention for the title.

Tactics

Pirlo lacks the same pedigree as his counterpart Conte, but what he lacks in experience he certainly makes it up with his fresh ideas. He has been heavily scrutinized but he has brought out the best in some players like Danilo and Chiesa. The midfield is well stocked up and it’s safe to say that if Juventus win the midfield battle, they can take the game out of Inter’s hand.

Numbers crunch

This will be the 175th match in Serie A between Inter and Juventus. The Bianconeri‘s 84 wins against Inter is a record of victories for a team against a single opponent in the Italian top flight.

Juventus are the only team against which Inter haven’t won any games in Serie A since the start of 2017. During this period for the Nerazzurri have collected two draws and tasted five defeats.

Juventus haven’t lost in nine of the last ten away league matches against Inter; the Nerazzurri’s only win in this period arrived in September 2016, 2-1 under Frank de Boer.

Player to watch out for

Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo

Who else, the man for the big occasions. He will look forward to this match with glee, he certainly has the ability to decide the game on his own.

Morata

He’s having a revival season here at Turin. He’ll look to turn the tides more in his favor as he helps the champions to secure the title.