After a thrilling encounter with Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Juventus will stay in Turin for another prime matchup—this time with Inter Milan.
It will be a crucial matchup for both teams. For the Bianconeri, it is a chance to continue the fine form that the Turin giants are in. Despite the draw against Bayern, Juventus have won 19 of the team’s previous 22 games.
For Inter, the game presents a chance to make up ground in the Serie A race. The Nerazzurri are 10 points off Juve, but can close the gap to seven with a win.
Games so far this season
The two teams have already done battle twice this season. The first meeting, which occurred in mid-October, ended scoreless as neither team could find a breakthrough where goals were concerned. That matchup was in league play.
However, the most recent meeting between the clubs was much more of a one-sided affair. In the first leg of a Coppa Italia match, Juventus overpowered Inter 3-0 as Alvaro Morata starred for the Bianconeri. The Spanish forward bagged a brace, while fellow forward Paulo Dybala also scored. Midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah handed out the game’s only assist by setting up Dybala’s late strike.
Familiar foes
Not only have the teams played recently, but there is also some familiarity in terms of players who have donned each club’s respective shirt. Hernanes is the most prominent of the examples as he just joined Juve from Inter in the summer transfer window. Leonardo Bonucci was a product of the Internazionale academy, but made only a single first-team appearance.
For the San Siro tenants, Felipe Melo is the most notable Nerazzurri player to suit up for Juve. The central midfielder played for the Bianconeri from the 2011 season to the 2013 season, with a loan spell at Galatasaray mixed in. The Brazilian midfielder would eventually sign for the Turkish club on a permanent basis.
Notable absences
The only players missing for Juve on Sunday will be midfielder Claudio Marchisio and defender Martin Caceres as both are injured. Other than that, the team is at full strength. Inter’s significant absence is that of Marcelo Brozovic. The Croatian midfielder is out due to a suspension.