Inter - Juventus Call Ups and Preview

It’s an emotionally charged game that will arrive tomorrow. I have already seen that some fans consider this to be the Scudetto decider. Personally, I think that those people are crazy. It’s not a decider. It’s probably not really that important in the grand scheme of the season. But it is going to be an emotional roller coaster for lots of reasons.

Who: Inter vs Juventus

What: Match Day 3 Serie A

When: Saturday, September 14, 2013, 18:00 CET local, 12:00 PM EST USA

INTER

Call ups:

Goalkeepers: 1 Samir Handanovic, 12 Luca Castellazzi, 30 Juan Pablo Carrizo;

Defenders: 2 Jonathan, 5 Juan Jesus, 6 Marco Andreolli, 14 Hugo Campagnaro, 18 Wallace, 23 Andrea Ranocchia, 25 Walter Samuel, 31 Alvaro Pereira, 35 Rolando, 55 Yuto Nagatomo;

Midfielders: 10 Mateo Kovacic, 11 Ricky Alvarez, 13 Fredy Guarin, 17 Zdravko Kuzmanovic, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Saphir Taider,

Forwards: 7 Ishak Belfodil, 8 Rodrigo Palacio, 9 Mauro Icardi, 22 Milito

Probable Formation: 3511 – Handanovic; Campagnaro, Ranocchia, JJ; Jonathan, Guarin, Cambiasso, Taider, Nagatomo; Alvarez; Palacio

Notes: There has already been a lot of analysis and prediction regarding personnel and formation but games like this will probably boil down to who can sustain their desire more.

And this has all the hallmarks of an effort game. Normally I would say that each player will have to win their individual battles while maintaining the game strategy set down by Mazzarri. But frankly I don’t see that happening – Tevez is probably a difference maker in this one. Inter are going to have play a team game and support each other on both ends.

For their part, Inter are coming into this game relatively healthy and that’s a plus. I don’t see any way that Mazzarri deviates too much from his plans that won the two previous games – protect early on; try to hurt Juve on the break.

The good news is that Inter don’t have anything to lose in this game. If there is going to be significant improvement on last season then it’s going to be winning against the lower and mid-table teams. Most everyone will lose against Juve so that matchup will be a push against competitive teams.

Emotionally, it’s a different story. Inter supporters want a win against Juve as they would want a win against Milan. I just think that it’s unlikely to happen. Personally I would be happy with a draw.

JUVENTUS

Probable formation: 352 – Buffon; Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci; Asamoah, Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal, Lichsteiner; Tevez, Vucinic/Llorente

Notes: The strength of this team is the midfield which is dynamic - Pirlo notwithstanding – enough to support the attack and defense very well. The attack likes to pull back and switch with the midfield when near the box to create gaps and free men in the defensive backline as defenders are forced to switch markings.

Forwards will pull back and outside men will cut inside to take their place. If Inter don’t switch and/or stay with their marks things will get ugly quickly. Last season, Juventus tried to score quickly and then sit back in both games so withstanding early pressure will be key.

This will be a great game to see how much all that conditioning Inter did this summer will pay off – Juventus likes to run.

PREDICTION

I will be happy with a draw here. I think it’s too early for Mazzarri to have gotten the team to the point where this can be a win on tactical grounds. A stalemate on effort is acceptable to me.

A PERSONAL NOTE

This is going to be my last article for Inter.theoffsides. It’s been a long journey and I cherish the Inter supporters that I have met but my family has grown again and it seems that I have finally met my match in the war for my time and attention. I love this team and I love this blog site, but I can’t do either the justice they deserve in the time allowed. I will be around here and there in the future so it's not farewell forever, just for now and in this format. I encourage all readers of this blog site to apply as writers. I personally would love to check in sometime soon and have there be five or six people contributing 1 small write up everyday.

As always and forever…

FORZA INTER