Juventus v Inter Milan
Serie A
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Stadio Della Alpi
Kickoff: 19:45 GMT
When new villains arise, old ones are cast as heroes. Such is the case on Saturday when new heroes Juventus meet new villains Internazionale. Everyone’s hoping that Juve can stop Inter – can they?
Juventus Preview
Juventus have been badly out of form in the last two months, and four wins out of eight matches has seen them slip to third place in Serie A, eight points behind Saturday’s opponents, Inter. A win, would, of course, reduce that gap to just five points, and would give renewed hope not only to Ciro Ferrara’s side, but to the rest of the division.
It will definitely be a tight game, and could be decided by either a set-piece or a moment of individual brilliance. Juventus’ Diego is more than capable of providing that, and is an expert from dead ball situations. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Juve recording a narrow one-nil victory with either the Brazilian, or veteran Alessandro Del Piero providing the game’s deciding striker.
Inter Milan Preview
Inter have only lost once all season, and have conceded just three goals in their six away matches this season. Against most other sides in the division, an Inter win would be expected but Juventus, on their day, are at least the equal of their Milanese rivals.
The match has been given extra spice with the announcement by Inter manager Jose Mourinho that he will withdraw his side if 19-year-old striker Mario Balotelli, an Italian of Ghanaian descent, is subjected to the kind of racist chants heard at the Stadio Della Alpi last season, and in Bordeaux during Juventus’ recent Champions League tie (discussed in more detail here).
Juventus v Inter Milan Prediction
Listen to this week’s Soccerlens’ Podcast to get all the big match predictions for this weekend.
It could easily turn out to be a drab goal-less draw full of niggly fouls, and a high card count. However we’re predicting this to be a game where Juventus prove their title credentials and record a narrow, hard-fought win.
What good are heroes if they don’t provide some hope, however fleeting?
Prediction: Juventus 1-0 Inter Milan
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