Juventus vs Inter Milan: Match Preview

Inter survived its trip to Munich with the only casualty being its 7-game unbeaten run, but that will be of little importance compared to what’s to come Sunday. The first Derby d’Italia of the 2022/23 campaign is here and as vital as ever for the giants of Italian football, even if it isn’t taking place at the pinnacle of the table as the schedule makers might have expected back in August. Juve and Inter are separated by just one place in the table and two points, but this time it’s as 6th and 7th place and a long way off league leaders Napoli.

Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images

The Old Lady’s woes have managed to eclipse Inter’s struggles so far, and it’s found itself out of the European spots entirely for much of the campaign. Unlike the Nerazzurri, there’s been no Champions League relief on the cards either - Juve finished blank behind PSG and Benfica in group play. Massimiliano Allegri has come under pressure for Juve’s results and his outdated defensive playstyle that’s worth it only when it’s winning. The Bianconeri has the eight most expected goals in the league (16.4) and has been limited to one goal or less in six of its twelve Serie A outings. To give Allegri credit, Juve boasts the best defense in Serie A with 7 conceded, but that’s more a product of defensive tactics than a good defense - just look at its 4-3 loss to Benfica or the 2-0 collapse at Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League to see further evidence.

Despite its middling attacking stats, Juve isn’t without weapons in the final third. Dusan Vlahovic (7 goals, 2 assists) is the main dangerman, while newcomers Arkadiusz Milik (5g) and Filip Kostic (1g, 4a) have made their mark quickly. The trio has the ability to create something out of nothing, which is the essence of Allegri Ball in the final third.

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

While Inter’s four-game winning streak in Serie A has had the monumental effect of moving the Nerazzurri from 7th to 6th, the good guys are at least three points closer to every team above it compared to the beginning of October, except Napoli. In fact, the Partenopei have proven to be Serie A’s outlier this season. Second (Atalanta) to seventh (Juve) in the table are separated by just five points, and all six sides in that pile-up have been in stellar form of late with 22 wins in their last 30 games combined. Inter has clashes against both La Dea and the Bianconeri within the next week, while a number of other upper-tier sides also come face to face. If Inter can continue its solid form it can go into the World Cup break a bit more relaxed about a top-four spot, although any sort of title run seems nothing more than a faint hope at this point.

Previous Results

Inter has gone unbeaten against Juve under Inzaghi, picking up two wins and a draw from the Bianconeri last season including a wild Coppa Italia final in favor of the good guys. The all-time series is still heavily in Juventus’ favor, however, currently sitting at 68W-57D-107L.

• 1-1 (H), 24/10/21
• 0-1 (A) 3/4/22
• 4-2 (A), 11/5/22 (Coppa Italia)

Predicted Starting XIs

Prediction: Juventus 1-1 Inter Milan

Inzaghi will manage to stay undefeated against the Bianconeri as Inter manager but it won’t be enough to take all three points back to Milano after a Vlahovic opener and a second-half equalizer from Lautaro.

Forza Inter!