Week 13 in Serie A brings forth one of the most anticipated fixtures in Italian football—the Derby d’Italia. The rivalry between Inter and Juventus is old and traditional but it has grown more fierce in recent years fired by the aftermaths of Calciopoli.
Juventus are only three points adrift of leaders Inter ahead of Saturday night’s fixture and it looks to be a promising game as both sides lock horns at the mighty Guiseppe Meazza.
Inter haven’t beaten Juventus on home soil since 2004 and last season’s corresponding fixture ended with a surprising 2-1 win for the Old Lady of Turin, any chance of a repeat?
INTER
Last week’s showdown by Ibrahimovic showed yet again the dependency on which Inter have on their creative force. Both goals were crackers and the latter clocked at a notable 124km/h, leaving no chance for Fontana in the Palermo goal.
The forward also picked up the Swedish Golden Ball on Monday for the third time in his career—making the forward historic, being the first Swedish player to achieve the feat.
Inter’s home-record at the Guiseppe Meazza this season reads narrow and unspectacular wins by the odd goal, with the exception being the goalless draw against Genoa. The spectacular wins have all come on away trips.
After several games in the recent past with multiple conceded goals and last minute winners, the Nerazzuri have now collected two consecutive wins with clean sheets.
Scrutinized for their laborious style of play lately, Mourinho’s squad still holds immense depth and dimension—something that could be fundamental in their quest for another league title and their bid for the Champions League.
Rivas and Chivu are sidelined with injuries while Cordoba will be sitting out his ban. Quaresma was given time off during the Palermo game due to poor form and the Portuguese winger is highly unlikely to feature in this weekend’s high profile clash.
Adriano missed out on the action during the weekend due to the flu and is unlikely to be handed a starting shirt. Cruz on the other hand is in fine form and not to mention, notorious for netting against the Old Lady. Can he put one away against Juventus once more?
Mourinho has hinted for a change in formation to take on Ranieri’s 4-4-2 system with a 4-1-3-2 of his own. A win for the Nerazzuri would increase the gap to third-place Juventus and keep their city rivals AC Milan at bay.
Keep an eye on: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Sweden international has a reputation of being anonymous in big games and is facing an in-form Chiellini. Whether or not Ibrahimovic gives a notable performance against his old team-mates remain to be seen.
Probable XI: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Burdisso, Samuel, Maxwell; Cambiasso; Vieira, Muntari, Zanetti; Ibrahimovic, Cruz
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about 1 month ago
Excellent article.
I really hope the Vecchia Signora could give us a hand in bringing down Inter from the top, though it looks quite a difficult task. Inter has a powerful squad, plenty of options to choose, lot of variants to adopt depending on players chosen and a manager well known by his ability to set hard, complex matches on the tactical side. Anyway, a stalemate is not a bad business for a Juventus side visiting San Siro, and what is clear is that for rossoneris, anything apart from a nerazzurri victory is a great deal.
Adriano is off not because he's ill, but because of Mourinho's decision to punish him. The cold is just an alibi, i think Mourinho have asked Moratti to sell the man in the winter market, annoyed by his indiscipline. This is Mou's second chance to win a moral-boosting contest after della Madonnina, where he was outclassed; losing this one will surely be an important blow for his overcredited prestige.
Being objective, my predictions on winning chances go a little bit with Inter (60%-40%)
from about 1 month ago
Thank you Edward!
I'm guessing you're a Milan fan :) then we have the same objection in any way, to bring down Inter! The Nerazzuri have had problems with Juventus in recent years but I agree with you, a draw is a good result.. but at the same time I think the players are going in for a win.
Ahh the great Adriano saga... yeah I know he was dropped for other reasons than medical but since I'm not sure in my suspicions I thought it better to go with the "official" reason.
The pressure is on Inter and Mourinho this time and like you mentioned, he has already lost out to Milan and another defeat in such a prestigious game would do him no good, but hey.. I'm not complaining if that happens.. the man needs to be brought down from his high chair:P
Keeping my fingers crossed for a Juve-win ! :)
from about 1 month ago
Hehe Inter milan are becoming the next Manchester United in terms of popularity! everyone wants them to lose.
I am a BIG inter fan, but sadly live in the USA. You guys ( i am assuming are in Europe somewhere ).
Anyway back to the game...hmm. I see a 2-0 INTER win.
Inter have not been impressive yet they lead the league in pts. Now imagine once they do start playing well.....OH BOY!
Nice article but it's clear you dont like INTER much. No big deal, most, no ALL, my friends hate that team hehe. Anyway will see what happens!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Zlatan!
No I'm not a big fan of Inter :P but it's true, everybody loves to hate Inter nowadays.
Sure, Inter has been anything but impressive in their home games when on the away trips it's whole other story, why I can't really figure out though I have some theories.
I think both teams have an equal shot at grabbing the points but whether or not home soil will be the upper hand for Inter remain to be seen considering the results this term..
about 1 month ago
If Saturday is going to be anything like last year's contests, we should be in for one hell of a game. I'm sure Ranieri will be wanting to shut Mourinho up after everything he has said in the papers. And considering the roll Juve are on right now, a win is definitely likely. However, it will be interesting to see whether Inter come out in the 4-3-3 as usual or the 4-4-2 they sported against Palermo. Whatever the case, it's gonna be a fun one!
from about 1 month ago
Ahh fond memories.. :) Juventus definitely have a fair chance and it would so much fun to see how Mourinho would "explain" such a defeat. Anyways, it's gonna be a really tough game for Juventus and a draw wouldn't be all that bad, but hey.. it's Inter and Juve always want to beat them..
and thanks for the POTD, gonna check out yours now :)
from about 1 month ago
Considering it's at the San Siro, a draw is something I wouldn't be opposed to. Although sticking one to Mourinho would make every Juve fan smile, including this one.
from about 1 month ago
Oh yes! I'm with Maire on this, looking forward to Mourinho's post match comments
about 1 month ago
I'm already looking forward to Mourinho's post match interview on Inter's defeat to Juve :-)
from about 1 month ago
Me too hahahahhaha! loved the comment Maire. :D
from about 1 month ago
That makes three of us. I can only imagine what he will say if they play like crap.
from about 1 month ago
There are always excuses where Mourinho is concerned.. We'll simply have to wait and see what they are ;)
from about 1 month ago
Hate him or love him, Jose is a master with the press. His Interviews when he in the EPL are nothing short of hillarious. Remember the eggs/omelette theory? Or the Wenger is a vouyer talk? Or even the day he started the naming the whole Barca lineup before Chelsea's CL match against them. The man is legendary..
from about 1 month ago
Hahahahha he should publish a quote-book ;) remember the 3-3 draw against anorthosis when Burdisso had his nightmare evening? Mourinho said something like: we scored seven goals this evening, three for them, three for ourselves and had one ruled out for offside... just like you said, the man is hilarious.
about 1 month ago
Good preview. Juve is playing better at the moment but you can throw form out the window for this one. I highly doubt Burdisso will get the nod over Marco. Cordoba missing out could be huge.
As always, all eyes will be on Ibra v Giorgio. I expect Ibra to finally get the better of him. Hopefully.
The key will be Inter's midfield. We should play Stankovic in a 4-4-3 or go with Quaresma and Mancini in a 4-4-2. We could go with that defensive diamond and play the counter, but that wouldn't go over well at the San Siro!
In the end I expect the Nerazurri to show their class and take care of Juve, to the dismay of all the Bianconeri bleacher report writers :)
from about 1 month ago
Dave: "The key will be Inter's midfield. We should play Stankovic in a 4-4-3 or go with..."
well said Dave, you'll have to use the old 12 players on the pitch trick to beat this in-form old lady..!
classic.
Forza Juve
from about 1 month ago
Thank You Dave. Ibra v. Chiellini will be really interesting to watch. Mourinho has hinted that he will use some other formation than the 4-3-3 but guess we wont know until matchday. Personally I think he's gonna go with the diamond or 4-4-2 like he did against Palermo.
Hehe we'll see who stand as winner on Saturday night :P the only thing we can be sure of now is that it's going to be one hell of a game :D
from about 1 month ago
Hehe Ebe :) A win at the San Siro would be absolutely brilliant this season, considering that Juve have already won at the Santiago Bernabeu (with a clean sheet not to be forgotten) there's a good chance of that happening, and also, look at shape of the players and Capitano Del Piero :)
Forza Juve ;)
about 1 month ago
I dont like either team very much but picking one, I'd like to see Juve win for the simple reason that Maire stated. Im soo looking forward to his post match interview if Inter lose...
from about 1 month ago
Hahahaha :D as long as you side with us ;)
about 1 month ago
I guess a typo is "classic" to Ebe
from about 1 month ago
hehe yeah ;)
from about 1 month ago
it's derby d'itlia time, ur an interista, no slip ups allowed... anything and everything will be used against you.
Forza JUVE!
about 1 month ago
Marzia, you are absolutely amazing at these previews. I certainly expect a heated contest if Inter some how manage to keep the legendary Del Piero quiet then I'll stick my head out with a 1-0 win for them, naturally, Ibrahimovic to score.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks a lot Salaar! :)
Heated contest indeed. Ibrahimovic has never scored against his former team mates but tonight could be his first time, especially after the goals he scored last weekend. Then again, we can't forget Del Piero's free-kicks. The game could go either way and I don't expect too many goals, can't wait for the game though ;)
about 1 month ago
Nice job previewing this match. Let me get a clarification from you about your comment that "The Nerazzuri have had problems with Juventus in recent years."
If by "problems" you mean difficulties on the field, the truth is in recent years Inter has had little trouble with Juve. Juve's recorded win last season was down to a missed offside call and Inter dispatched Juve in the Coppa largely with back up players. I think a blanket statement that Inter has always had problems with Juve is more accurate. There has throughout history seldom been a time when Inter did not had problems beating Juve.
However, if by "problems" you are referring to the malevolence between the two clubs, then one could hardly say it has arisen "in recent years". Cain and Abel, i.e., from the beginning of time has there been a problem between these two.
As for JoMo, he's a petulant child in need of a right good humbling. His comments about Ranieri and his age crossed the line. Yet, if we were to poll ourselves our responses would like go as follows:
Better Coach? Probably Mourinho
Better Tactician? Mourinho
Better Human Being? Ranieri
On balance, I fancy Inter to win. If they do not, I shall not cry while watching JoMo squirm as he explains to the press why his team lost.
Rei
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Rei
I see what you mean, Inter have always had problems with Juve and likewise considering how big this game is. By recent years I was pointing towards the results in the league where Inter haven't managed to win against Juve at the San Siro.
Mourinho's comments have crossed the line far to many times for one to remember :P
Thanks for the comment by the way :)
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