Juventus visit Inter is a match day 3 a must
watch for any football lover, The action starts with an unusually early
showdown, as the Derby d’Italiakicks off at 17.00 UK
time (18.00 GMT).
Traditional rivals Inter and Juventus meet in the ever-fiery
Derby d’Italia, with both sides protecting 100 per cent starts.
Walter Mazzarri’s reign continued its positive launch with a 3-0
victory away at Catania before the international break. Goals from Rodrigo
Palacio, Yuto Nagatomo and Ricky Alvarez sealed a dominant display in Sicily.
The tactician believes each victory is adding confidence and washing away the
tension of last term.
Most promising for the Coach and the Nerazzurri was the second
consecutive clean sheet. The defence was an area of much pre-season discussion
given Mazzarri’s penchant for a back three, as well as Inter’s terrible record
last season. Only Pescara conceded more goals.
The Milanese are without long-term absentee Javier Zanetti, plus
Cristian Chivu. Diego Milito looks set to return to the bench after the serious
knee injury suffered earlier this year. The same XI as in Catania is expected
to take the field.
Juventus have started their title defence with a bang. They
hammered Lazio for the second time with a 4-1 drubbing a fortnight ago. Arturo
Vidal bagged a brace, before goals from Mirko Vucinic and Carlos Tevez sealed
the rout. This followed their 4-0 Super Cup victory over the capital club.
Coach Antonio Conte has called Inter one of the sides with a
genuine chance of catching his team, and is wary. “They are a side who mirror
their Coach. They are to be feared because they are strong defensively and can
hit you on the break.”
Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe remain on the sidelines.
Martin Caceres joins the duo, out for 40 days after a knee injury picked up on
international duty. Meanwhile, Mirko Vucinic is only fit enough for the bench
following a knock suffered playing for Montenegro.
The Bianconeri enjoyed their 21st San Siro victory in March,
picking up a 2-1 win. However, they remain behind Inter’s mark of 35 wins, in
addition to 25 draws.
Keep an eye on: Paul Pogba (Juventus) – Having replaced the injured Claudio
Marchisio in the Super Cup, the young Frenchman has been impressive and
decisive in the first two matches of the new campaign. Pogba netted his first
goal for France in midweek and will look to open his Serie A account.
Form guide: Inter ( - - -W W) Juventus ( - - -W W)
Last season: Inter 1-2 Juventus
Stat fact: Juve’s last six away victories against Inter have all come via a
2-1 scoreline, a run dating back to 1995-96.
Inter (probable):
Handanovic; Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus; Jonathan, Guarin,
Cambiasso, Kovacic, Nagatomo; Alvarez, Palacio
Juventus (probable):
Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal,
Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez, Llorente
