The first Derby d’Italia of the season pits reigning Serie A holders Inter against record-time Italian champions Juventus at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. It’s time to preview the game and take a look at the expected lineups.
Following an underwhelming start to their Champions League journey (D1, L1), Inter thrashed Group D surprise package Sheriff Tiraspol 3-1 at home in midweek. Meanwhile, Juventus eked out a 1-0 away win over Zenit St Petersburg to maintain their 100% record in Group H and move a step closer towards reaching the competition’s knock-out stage.
Following satisfying midweek in European football, both sides will be gunning for all three points in this mouth-watering Serie A clash.
Inter vs Juventus Head-to-Head
Antonio Conte’s title-winning Inter side won this exact fixture 2-0 last season as the Nerazzurri aim for back-to-back Serie A home triumphs over arch-rivals for the first time since 2010. However, Juventus have Derby d’Italia history firmly on their side, as they boast an overwhelming all-time lead in top-flight editions of this saga (W85, D44, L47).
The Bianconeri had gone unbeaten in three consecutive Serie A visits to Giuseppe Meazza (W2, D1) prior to last season’s defeat. Additionally, they have only lost one such match-up under current boss Massimiliano Allegri.
Regardless of which side of the spectrum of supporting these sides you stand on, brace yourself for an exciting, action-packed contest. Four of the last six competitive meetings between Inter and Juventus at this venue have seen 3+ goals and both teams on the scoresheet.
Inter Form Preview
Inter turned a 1-0 half-time lead into a 3-1 away defeat to Lazio last time out, as Simone Inzaghi’s former employers inflicted the first Serie A defeat on the Italian strategist this season (W5, D2). Worryingly, Inzaghi has lost more Serie A games versus Juventus (eight) than against any side during his managerial career.
Despite the hosts’ indifferent showings of late, the Nerazzurri can draw inspiration from their impressive Serie A home form. Before being held to a 2-2 home draw to Atalanta in their most recent league home outing, Inter had enjoyed an outstanding 18-match winning Serie A streak at Giuseppe Meazza.
What’s more, the reigning Italian champions have been nothing short of exceptional up top this season. Only Bayern Munich (89) have netted more goals than Inter (78) league goals across Europe’s top-five divisions this calendar year. At home, Inzaghi’s men have scored 2+ goals in their last six Serie A home matches, averaging 4.16 goals per game in that sequence.
Player to watch: Edin Dzeko
Edin Dzeko, who joined Inter as a short-term replacement for Romelu Lukaku, has already proved his doubters wrong. The veteran striker has amassed six goals and two assists in eight Serie A appearances this season and remains his side’s most prolific player.
However, Dzeko has had his hand in just three Serie A goals against Juventus, his joint-lowest tally against a single Italian side.
Juventus Form Preview
Following a dreadful start to this Serie A campaign (D2, L2), Juventus have hit the ground running on the back of September’s international break, putting together four straight league triumphs. Juve’s notable upturn in form has seen them bridge the gap on fourth-placed Roma to a single point.
Sitting three points adrift of Inter, the Bianconeri will be looking to take their hosts’ place in the table with a win here. However, as each of their four Serie A triumphs this season came by a narrow one-goal margin, Allegri’s men could play with their fans’ nerves here.
It’s been over a year since Juventus last won five Serie A fixtures on the trot, doing so in July 2020 under Maurizio Sarri. To achieve that feat here, the Turin giants will have to improve their second-half defending, having registered five of their six away league goals conceded this term beyond half-time.
Player to watch: Moise Kean
Moise Kean has developed into a somewhat talismanic figure since returning to Juventus this summer. The prodigious Italian striker has opened the scoring within 30 minutes of play in two of Juve’s four Serie A victories this season.
With Paulo Dybala continuing to struggle with physical problems, all eyes will be on Kean as the Bianconeri look to return in contention for the Serie A crown.
Inter vs Juventus Predicted Lineups
Inter (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko.
Juventus (4-3-3): Wojciech Szczesny; Juan Cuadrado, Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs de Ligt, Alex Sandro; Aaron Ramsey, Manuel Locatelli, Rodrigo Bentancur; Federico Bernandeschi, Federico Chiesa, Moise Kean.