Saturday evening’s clash sees first play second in the Serie A, with Inter coming to Turin on the back of sixth consecutive league wins.
As Arsenal head to Manchester United on Saturday morning, a repeat of the fixture that saw their famous unbeaten run halted at 49 games in 2004, Juventus are aiming to go one better in the evening’s match with Inter.
Last season Juventus were imperious in the league, and with other great Italian sides looking poor at the start of this season, they had looked set to dominate once again.
Inter have, however, roared back to life in recent weeks. They have won their past six games in Serie A, including against struggling AC Milan in the San Siro derby, and that winning run extends to eight games in all competitions. Their scratchy early season form means it was only mid-week that they climbed to second in the table, as Napoli lost 1-0 to allow Stramaccioni’s men to go ahead of them. Diego Milito and Antonio Cassano have started to find the net with regularity, each picking up five goals this season meaning that Inter have maintained their attacking threat depsite the absence of Wesley Sneijder, whose injury problems mean he is unlikely to feature this weekend.
Whilst Inter have looked good recently, Juventus have been superb all season in domestic football, only dropping points in their 0-0 draw at Fiorentina. Their only troubles have come in Europe, where three draws, including a lacklustre display at Nordsjaelland, have left them in danger of failing to qualify from their group.
However, despite their impressive results, their performances have seemed to slip slightly in their last two matches. After dispatching Napoli 2-0, they scraped a 1-0 win at Catania before only a 90th minute winner from Paul Pogba gave them a 2-1 victory at home to struggling Bologna.
You have to assume to prospect of Inter coming to town will be enough for Juventus to shake off any feelings of complacency though, and with Pogba added to their already impressive midfield, they have enough talent in the centre of the park to control any game.
A win or a draw would see an excellent side pick up their 50th unbeaten match in a row in the league, but as with Arsenal, fate has conspired to give them one of the hardest matches possible to claim that feat. If Juventus can complete the half century against Inter, especially if they do so with a victory, they will be well set to reclaim the Scudetto this year.
image: © mitsurinho
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
