Serie A's Top Two Set for Turin Showdown

Juventus vs Inter Milan

We are virtually a third of the way into the Italian season and two teams in Serie A have opened up a tidy gap.

Title favourites Inter Milan have won 10 and drawn one of their 12 matches to date while, hot on their heels, Juventus have won nine and drawn two.

I must admit I was surprised when I saw the ‘old lady’ of Turin were so close to the summit, just a few months after there was seemingly trouble and strife at the club.

But, of course, without any European football this term, the chance to focus purely on domestic matters has been an advantage they are making the most of.

It all means this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash should not only deliver Serie A highlights but could be a crucial development in the 2023-24 campaign.

Talking Points

You have to go back well over a decade for the last time Juve were not competing in European action.

Inter, last season’s Coppa Italia winners and Champions League finalists, have no such issues, but the demands on their schedule means they will potentially play up to a dozen more games than their rivals – factors which can make a big impact over the course of a full season.

With 2022 champions AC Milan, reigning champions Napoli, Atalanta and surprise top six package Fiorentina a good distance behind them, we could be witnessing a two-horse title race.

Their reverses so far this term have both come against Sassuolo.

Massimiliano Allegri have studied the way Inter play and believes Juventus can beat them in Serie A — Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri reacts during their match against Fiorentina

Juve went down 4-2 there in late September, not helped by two errors from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, a contest in which manager Maxi Allegri said his team had ‘lost our heads’.

A few days later, Inter (managed by the impressive Simone Inzaghi) suffered the same fate as they were beaten 2-1 at home when they conceded twice in nine second half minutes to lose a half-time advantage.

This weekend, Juventus will likely be without midfielder Manuel Locatelli as he joins Paul Pogba (suspended for doping), Nicolo Fagioli (suspended for gambling), and the injured quartet of Timothy Weah, Danilo, Alex Sandro, and Mattia de Sciglio on the sidelines, while Inter are missing Benjamin Pavard, Alessandro Bastoni and Juan Cuadrado.

Even with key personnel absent, the top-of-the-table Derby d’Italia will be highly compelling and could have a real edge. The league table dictates as much.

History

Juventus have had a distinct edge historically.

The ‘old lady’ of Turin have 92 successes to their name compared to 56 Inter triumphs and a further 53 draws in all competitions.

That includes in both league matches last season as Juve ran out 2-0 winners at home, courtesy of second half goals from Adrien Rabiot and Nicolo Fagioli, before edging victory in the San Siro last month through a solitary Filip Kostic strike midway through the first half.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City

Liverpool

CLICK HERE

TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

It was honours even in the first leg of the Coppa d’Italia semi-final last term as Cuadrado struck the opener seven minutes from the end before a handball from Gleison Bremer in stoppage time led to a chaotic climax.

Romelu Lukaku equalised with the last kick of the game before being sent off as he celebrated provocatively in front of the home fans, (the ban now overturned).

The drama continued after the full-time whistle had blown as Cuadrado and Inter captain Samir Handanovic also received red cards as scuffles broke out between the two sets of players.

Inter edged the second leg in April through a solitary Federico Dimarco goal to earn only their second victory over Juve in their past 14 meetings.