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Old Lady’s rejuvenation

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Juventus vs Inter Milan preview

To say that Juventus are having a horror season would be an understatement. The Italians have hit new lows after new lows this season which has brought the club in news for all the wrong reasons. After recording six wins, two draws, and four defeats, Juventus are currently languishing in seventh place in Serie A. 

Their record in the UEFA Champions League has been even more shameful. With one win and five defeats, Juventus finished third in the table with a goal difference of negative four. And it is under these circumstances that the Old Lady welcome Inter Milan.

Inter Milan, like Juventus, have been far from perfect in Serie A and are just two points and a place above the Turin giants. However, they have been brilliant in the Champions League, qualifying for the Round of 16 and ahead of Barcelona. Their best performance was, in fact, the 3-3 draw that came against Barcelona at Camp Nou. 

The Serie A title race has been intense, with just five points separating the second and eighth-placed teams. And Inter Milan and Juventus are right in the middle of it. Juventus signed top players such as Gleison Bremer and Dusan Vlahovic (in the winter transfer window), but Massimiliano Allegri has failed to recreate his magic at Turin. To make matters worse, Paul Pogba has been injured and is yet to make even a single appearance this season. 

For Inter Milan, it is Romelu Lukaku who has been hampered by injuries after signing from Chelsea this summer. However, their most vulnerable area has been defence which has conceded 17 goals. These are alarming statistics for a backline with Milan Skriniar, Alessandro Bastoni, and Stefan de Vrij in their ranks. The pressure on manager Simone Inzaghi will be less after their Champions League campaign, but results need to come soon in Serie A if they are to stay in the title race. 

Juventus vs Inter Milan team news 

While Juventus’s performances this season cannot be excused, one look at the injury list will at least generate some sympathy for the team. Mattia De Sciglio, Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria, Manuel Locatelli, Gleison Bremer Leandro Paredes, Weston McKennie, Moise Kean and Dusan Vlahovic are all injured. An injury list this extensive can derail any team’s campaigns. The situation has been so dire Juventus have said they will launch an investigation into these injuries during the month-long World Cup break.  

Juventus predicted line-up: Szczesny; Gatti, Bonucci, Danilo; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Miretti; Milik 

Inter Milan’s injury list, though not as extensive, has also impacted the squad. Romelu Lukaku has been the chief of them. The Belgian’s absence has put the entire goal-scoring burden on the shoulders of Lautaro Martinez. Other injury absences are Dalbert, Danilo D’Ambrosio, and Gabriel Brazao, for which Inter have quality replacements. However, the main focus for Simone Inzaghi will be to ensure his defence stops leaking in goals. 

Inter Milan predicted line-up: Onana; Skriniar, Bastoni, De Vrij; Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Barella, Darmian; Martinez, Correa.

Gamechnagers

Juventus would love to have consistent game-changers who can change the tempo of a game in their favour. While the team is stacked with them, injuries, tactical setups and underwhelming displays have barred them from performing consistently. And one of the few bright spots in their season of despair is Dusan Vlahovic. However, his injury now puts the spotlight on Arkadiusz Milik. The Pole has only three goals to his name but is the team’s most potent attacker. There will also be pressure on midfielder Manuel Locatelli and defender Leonardo Bonucci who will be tasked with keeping things calm in the middle of the park. 

And while Lautaro Martinez has been scoring goals for the team, he has been ably supported by Nicolo Barella, who also has five goals. He and Hakan Calhanoglu have been brilliant in the middle of the park, instrumental in their Champions League campaign. In goal, expectations will be high from Andre Onana, who is slowly replacing long-time number-one Samir Handanovic. 

Juventus vs Inter Milan predictions 

Any match between Juventus and Inter Milan is essential, no matter the situation. And this match is even more vital as both teams are struggling in the league and need nothing less than a win to help with points and boost confidence. 

However, Juventus will be under more pressure as they are already in the Europa League following disastrous results. And the atmosphere at Turin can motivate Juevbntus players to deliver a brilliant performance.

FootTheBall predicts a 2-1 win for Juventus.

 

*This article is sponsored by Jishnu Mitra Foundation, whose mission is to promote football among underprivileged children in India under the age of 15.

Saumy Deepak Tripathi
A Bayern Munich fan who is deeply in love with football statistics. Has a soft spot for goalkeepers! (well only he knows why). You’ll find him vibing on 70’s classic songs and spends an abnormal amount of time cooking.

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