On Saturday evening, Juventus will host Inter at the Allianz stadium in the famous Derby d’Italia. The visitors are enjoying the celebration tour after sealing their first Scudetto title in eleven years, but it’s the hosts who have everything to lose, as the dethroned Old Lady would end up missing out on Champions League with a defeat in Round 37.
So who are the 22 men that are expected to be on the pitch for the kickoff according to la Gazzetta dello Sport?
Despite playing the savior’s role once again, Gianluigi Buffon should once again make space for the Bianconeri’s number one Wojciech Szczesny.
The Poland international will probably have his captain Giorgio Chiellini in front of him, alongside Matthijs de Ligt. Brazilian duo, Danilo and Alex Sandro will take the fullback roles.
Andrea Pirlo’s 4-4-2 formation should feature Adrien Rabiot and Arthur as central midfielders – according to the source – but we wouldn’t be surprised if Rodrigo Bentancur got the nod instead.
Federico Chiesa is expected to be deployed on the left wing, with Juan Cuadrado on the opposing flank, while Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the attack alongside Paulo Dybala.
On the other corner, Antonio Conte will be hoping to secure another Derby d’Italia victory against his old club, and after resting some of his best players recently, he will be expected to unleash his best available lineup.
Nerazzurri captain Samir Handanovic will return to goal, and his defense will be composed of the usual trio – Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni.
Achraf Hakimi and Ivan Perisic should take the wingback roles, and in-between them we’ll find Nicoló Barella, Marcelo Brozovic and Christian Eriksen.
Inter’s 3-5-2 lineup will be spearheaded by the terrifying duo of Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku.
Juventus (4-4-2): Szczesny; Danilo, de Ligt, Chiellini, Sandro; Cuadrado, Arthur, Rabiot, Chiesa; Dybala, Ronaldo.
Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Eriksen, Perisic; Lukaku, Martinez.