Inter - Juventus
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
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The Derby d’Italia is the first real test of Juve’s Scudetto credentials and could either put Inter back in the title race or send them plunging into a crisis of confidence.
The Nerazzurri were thought to be among the title favourites during the summer, but after 12 games are already a staggering 15 points adrift of the leaders. Roberto Mancini’s men are the only unbeaten club left in the major European Leagues, but have drawn their last six Serie A games and have the third worst defence in the Division with 20 goals conceded – only Lecce and Roma have let in more with 21.
Perhaps even more worryingly, top scorer Adriano failed to find the target in their 3-3 draw at Cagliari and there are fears he is exhausted from playing in every official game for the club. Obafemi Martins scored a brace in that entertaining encounter and should again partner the Brazilian upfront, though Kily Gonzalez, Juan Sebastian Veron and Andy Van der Meyde are still out injured.
Juventus have lost some of their sheen from the spectacular start to the season, holding off Lecce for a hard-fought 1-0 win before losing 2-0 at Atalanta in the Coppa Italia at the weekend. David Trezeguet and Jonathan Zebina are sidelined with injury, but there is a massive boost with Pavel Nedved’s return from suspension. Alessandro Del Piero limped off during the Lecce game with a slight muscular problem, but should be fit to play alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Last year this game ended 3-2 for the Nerazzurri – their first San Siro win over Juve in all competitions since 1998 – with Martins, Christian Vieri and Dejan Stankovic on target. How will Fabio Capello’s clinical squad and rock-solid defence deal with the all-attack excitement of Mancio’s approach? Will it be the beginning of Inter’s resurgence or the end of their dreams?
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Inter (probable): Toldo; J Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi, Favalli; Ze Maria, Cambiasso, Emre, Stankovic; Adriano, Martins
Juventus (probable): Buffon; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi, Nedved; Del Piero , Ibrahimovic