- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The second Derby d’Italia for the season may not have the same significance on the top of the Serie A standings, however talk to both Inter Milan and Juventus you will quickly understand how much Italy’s two most successful clubs have to play for.
In the lead-up to November’s first edition of the derby, Inter were in the midst of an incredible winning streak under Andrea Stramaccioni and were closing the gap on the early league leaders.
Meanwhile, the Bianconeri was not only looking to consolidate first place but to mark somewhat of a milestone in a fifty game unbeaten streak.
It turned out to be an incredible upset in Turin, Inter winning 3-1 and ensuring Juventus’ streak would be forever capped at forty-nine.
As edition two approaches, both clubs find themselves in significantly different positions. While Juventus remain top, they have fought off the likes of Inter, AC and Napoli to extend the lead to nine points, with one hand on a twenty-ninth Scudetto.
Meanwhile, the Nerazzuri’s exploits have seemingly plummeted since the Derby win, amassing only five wins in seventeen matches and sliding out of the Champions League positions.
This time Inter will claim home ground advantage and will be hoping their impressive Europa League comeback against Tottenham, despite bowing out in extra time, will be the start of an end of season run.
The home side could also be boosted from Walter Samuel making a much needed return to the Nerazzuri defensive line-up after a long stint on the sidelines.
And any possible return for the ‘wall’ will not be made easy with the likes of Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo looking to play through the Inter defence.
Rodrigo Palacio, one of Inter’s few shining lights of 2013, will need to take advantage of any opportunities in what could be a tight game, where the likes of Fredy Guarin will look to create that one bit of magic which may prove decisive.
You could possibly justify that Inter are in greater need of the three points, desperate to stick with Napoli and city rivals, Milan, in the race for the top three.
However, there is very little substitute for confidence and this is something that Juventus will hold as an advantage over their inconsistent and as far as 2013 is concerned, unimpressive rivals.
With the mid-week Champions League Quarter finals looming, Inter will hope Antonio Conte has one eye on Bayern Munich.
It is likely that Giorgio Chiellini, given his ankle problems, will not be risked for the derby while Mirko Vucinic may also be a notable absentee.
With all circumstances aside, the Derby d’Italia still looms as one of the Serie A matches of the season. Let’s hope the game lives up to the expectations just as Derby number one did.
Follow Nic on Twitter @NicGiannetta
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.