Derby D'Italia Preview: Juventus Hosts Inter Milan in Vital Scudetto Clash

The term Derby d’Italia was coined back in 1967 by sports journalist Giovanni Luigi Brera. Although the fixture has no geographical reasons to exist, it does so purely based on both club’s sporting achievements.

If the fierce rivalry between Juventus and Inter Milan was intense before, it got a whole other dimension after the infamous Calciopoli scandal in 2006. As the title of 2004/2005 was simply not assigned, Inter was controversially awarded the following season’s Tricolore which till today is known as the ‘Scudetto di Cartone’ (the cardboard Scudetto).

But this Saturday much more than prestige will be at stake as two of Italy’s most storied clubs clash swords at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

A victory is absolutely vital for the Bianconeri in order to keep their Scudetto hopes alive as a defeat would see the Nerazzurri move a massive eleven points ahead in the standings. Inter, on the other hand, have a comfortable seven points separating them from the chasing pack.

It was supposed to be Juventus’ season. The Old Lady was supposed to be the only team able to challenge Inter at the top. Will they be able to salvage their title dreams?

Juventus

There were many promises ahead of the new season. After a smart player market a reinforced Juventus were supposed to fight on three fronts; the league, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia.

As the Old Lady opened the season with four consecutive victories, many believed that this Juventus side was going to give the current champions a good run for their money.

As things stand, however, a mix of incredibly inconsistent performances has seen the Bianconeri drop down to the third spot. Despite having the world’s best goalkeeper guarding the sticks, the main issue of concern lay in the brittle defense where Giorgio Chiellini has been the sole consistent performer. A large majority of the other players have simply been underperforming lately.

The team is yet to find their identity and as the struggle continues, Ciro Ferrara is feeling the heat as his coaching abilities along with his abilities to motivate his players have been called into question. On top of that Mister has been forced to deal with a great number of injuries which has forced the Italian to switch from his preferred 4-3-1-2 system.

Club directors and many top names in calcio are calling for patience as Juventus work their way towards some kind of consistency while preparing for their two critical games in the coming days.

The Bianconeri are coming in to the game with a shattered confidence after collecting back to back defeats in their two latest games against Bordeaux in the Champions League and Cagliari on the domestic scene.

Pride, history, honor and bragging rights are only benefits of achieving the main goal this Saturday; to close down the gap to Inter. The Bianconeri will be hoping for their big turnaround to come in the most anticipated fixture of the season.

Possible starting XI (according to the Gazzetta): Buffon; Caceres, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Sissoko, Poulsen; Diego; Amauri, Del Piero

Inter Milan

Just like their rivals, Inter too had an impressive transfer market. The departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic had left a massive gap to be filled and it wasn’t until the late arrival of Wesley Sneijder that José Mourinho announced that his squad was finally complete.

Inter were no longer a one-man show, they were a team. And they would prove just how well off they were without Ibracadabra.

After getting off to a shaky start against newly promoted side Bari in the opening day of the season, the Nerazzurri soon went back to winning ways. Although the Beneamata haven’t showcased convincing performances at all times, they—unlike Juventus—have been able to collect the points nonetheless.

Inter boast with impressive statistics as well having scored the most number of goals, 33, and conceded the least, 11. On top of that, the team has lost only once this season—away to Sampdoria as Giampaolo Pazzini made the difference.

Despite Inter being the indisputable dominant force in the Italian top league, Mourinho, just like his Juventus counterpart, is feeling the pressure. Inter patron Massimo Moratti have made it crystal clear that the club’s main priorities lie in the Champions League—a tournament where the Milan outfit have thus far failed to impress.

There is no denying the prestige and rivalry surrounding this particular clash, but unlike their hosts, Mourinho’s men have a lot less riding on this game. For them it’s all about the reinforcing their position as the No. 1 force in the Italian top flight.

Possible starting XI (according to the Gazzetta): Cesar; Zanetti, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Thiago Motta, Cambiasso, Muntari; Stankovic; Eto’o, Milito