Inter Milan-Juventus: Derby d’Italia

Both Inter and Juventus shared points in their midweek clashes against Genoa and Empoli respectively.

Since the first clash between the two teams didn’t produce a winner, this game will be essential to both teams.

With Juventus out of the title race, as well as the Coppa Italia, the fans are demanding a win in the prestigious game. Not only is pride at stake, Ranieri’s men needs to win to keep a firm hold of a Champion’s league spot.

As for Inter, while they are seven points ahead of Roma with only nine match days remaining, the Nerazzuri will try to kill off the title race with a win against Juventus to secure the Scudetto.

INTER

Inter’s first and only defeat this season came at the beginning of the month and was shortly followed by their exit in the Champions league to Liverpool in the last 16.

Although the team won the next two consecutive games in the league, the “old Inter” started to show through where indiscipline rule their style of play.

Inter only have two wins in the last five games and neither of them showed a team in harmony. Reports that suggested there had been internal disputes between 43-year old tactician Roberto Mancini and some of the senior players in the team were confirmed when Mancini openly declared he would leave Inter at the end of the season—only to retrieve his statement the following day having sat down with Nerazzuri president.

Inter magician and former Juventus man; Ibrahimovic is set to start with Cruz as his radar partner up front. The Swede has shown fantastic form this season, but tends to be somewhat invisible when is comes to big games.

The midfield, consisting of Solare, Cambiasso, Zanetti, and Figo is somewhat unsteady after Pelé obtained a red card and was the fifth player sent off this season.

As for the defence, goalkeeper Cesar has proven him to be priceless between the posts and is backed up Maicon, Burdisso, Chivu, and Maxwell.

In order for Inter to win the Nerazzuri, coach needs to order out his troop and put all disputes to rest.

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Burdisso, Chivu, Maxwell; Solari, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Figo; Ibrahimovic, Cruz

JUVENTUS

Juventus’ dip after the Christmas break has seen the team play woefully for some time now. The Bianconeri’s triumphant win against Napoli last weekend in the dying minutes of the game should have fired them up, but it seems that Ranieri’s men had their thoughts on the game against Inter in their clash against Empoli as the game ended in a goalless draw.

Iaquinta was given the chance from start against Empoli, but showed once again that he is better suited as a super-sub—which most likely will see Ranieri start with “Il Capitano” and Trezegol—who’s only scored one goal in the last eight games.

Midfield general Zanetti’s replacement, Tiago continues to perform poorly which most likely will result with Momo Sissoko in the starting line-up along with Camoranesi, Nedved, and Salihamidzic.

Buffon will guard the posts as usual with Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, and Molinaro lining out the defence infront of him.

As for Ranieri, he needs to light the same spark his men started the season with and keep all focus on the game.

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro, Camoranesi, Nedved, Sissoko, Salihamidzic; Del Piero, Trezeguet