Juventus vs Inter Milan: Lineups, Preview and Prediction

Juventus has demonstrated numerous indicators that they are prepared to march forward rather than hesitate in key crucial games. Following a dismal season characterised by their proclivity to draw games, the Bianconeri are currently on the mend and putting together a decent winning streak.

In their most recent Champions League encounter, they were able to defeat PSV Eindhoven at home, with goals from Weston McKennie and Samuel Mbangula providing a narrow advantage over Enidhoven in the return leg of their playoff round, as they seek to advance to the round of 16.

Back on to league matters, Juventus are coming into this big Derby d’Italia at the back of consecutive wins over Empoli and Como, with Randal Kolo Muani the star of the show on both occasions. Now they face Inter Milan at home, as Thiago Motta will want to stake a claim at another chance to push for a higher place in the table. 

While Juventus’ immediate target would be to get back into Champions League places, Inter Milan have something bigger at stake ahead of this clash. The Nerazzuri are contesting a tightly fought title race, with Napoli sitting only a point above them at the top of the standings. 

Simone Inzaghi will want to stay as close as possible to leaders Napoli, and that would require them to beat Juventus away from home in this upcoming Derby d’Italia. A loss or dropped points is what Napoli will be hoping from such a big game, but Inter Milan have the tools to make a statement win away from home. 

Inter Milan does not have the absolute momentum that Inzaghi would have wanted before such a big game. They have drawn to AC Milan recently and followed that up with a stunning 3-0 loss to Fiorentina before beating the Viola in the reverse fixture. Inzaghi will want a total performance against Juventus to keep pace with leaders Napoli. 

Team News & Tactics

Juventus

Motta will keep an eye on the second leg with PSV Eindhoven, which could influence his team’s selection for this one. The Bianconeri boss went with a changed lineup in midweek, meaning some of the regulars who sat on the bench for that clash could return to the fold.

For instance, Khephren Thuram and Francisco Conceicao are all set for returns. Those changes could see Weston McKennie moving back into the left-back slot to decide his goalscoring display against PSV Eindhoven. Federico Gatti and Renato Veiga are expected to play in central defence, with Nicola Savona set to occupy the right-back slot.

Manuel Locatelli and Thuram are expected back in the midfield setting, with Douglas Luiz likely to make way for the latter. On the injury front, there are no fresh problems, with Piere Kalulu, Arkadiusz Milik and Andrea Cambiaso the only ones set to return in the short term, as Juan Cabal and Gleison Bremer are out of the remainder of the campaign.

In the attack, Koopmeiners will take up the No.10 role, while Mbangula might keep his place at the expense of Kenan Yildiz. Conceicao is likely to replace Nico Gonzalez, while Kolo Muani will continue to lead the line ahead of Dusan Vlahovic, who will find himself on the bench once again. 

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Veiga, McKennie; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Mbangula; Kolo Muani

Inter Milan

Inter Milan are concerned about Marcus Thuram’s fitness, and if he misses out, the possibility of both Thuram brothers playing together, albeit on opposite sides, is jeopardised. The Nerazzuri top scorer will still face a late examination, but there is hope he will accompany Lautaro Martinez on the frontline.

Raffaele Di Gennaro is the sole absentee on Inzaghi’s side, implying that the Inter Milan manager may be able to call on the majority of his players and field a strong team against Juventus. The traditional possibilities for significant parts in the scenario include Hakan Calhanoglou, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Nicolo Barella.

Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimaro are pencilled in for the wing-back roles. Alessandro Bastoni remains the mainstay in this Nerazzuri backline, as Stefan De Vrij and Benjamin Pavard will join him.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2) – Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez

Key Stats

• Juventus are undefeated in 31 of their last 32 matches in Serie A. 
• Juventus are targetting their first 4-game winning streak of the season. 
• Inter are undefeated in 18 of their last 19 matches in Serie A. 
• Inter Milan are one point behind Napoli in the Serie A standings. 

Player to Watch

Randal Kolo Muani

After a stellar start to life in Turin, Kolo Muani will be eager to make a statement of sorts with a big performance against one of the top rivals. With Inter Milan coming to Turin, he has a big game awaiting as Juventus look to continue on their good form of late. 

A top performance here will go a long way from convincing Juventus to sign him permanently and also help keep Vlahovic’s chances of usurping his place at bay. He is Juventus’ biggest attacking threat on the field as Kolo Muani will be eager to put in a statement performance. 

Prediction 

Juventus 2-1 Inter Milan

Inter Milan enters this match in shaky form, after winning their most recent league game against Fiorentina. They were also thrashed away from home a few days ago, which raises concerns about their road play, since they could lose points today and give Napoli the lead.

Juventus, on the other hand, is one of the league’s best defensive clubs despite losing many backline players this season. At home, they will try to extend their first four-game winning streak and make a statement of purpose by defeating Inter Milan by the smallest of margins.