Derby d’Italia to produce fireworks
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The Derby d’Italia is one of the biggest games on the Serie A calendar every season. Friday’s encounter between the two eternal rivals will have plenty of fiery action as Inter Milan sit 11 points behind Juventus after 14 games. Juventus are yet to lose this season. If Inter can take all three points, it would give them or Napoli a chance in the race for the Scudetto.
Inter have won just three times in their last 18 meetings with Juventus in all competitions. Inter haven’t won in Turin since November 2012. Since that win, Inter have travelled to Turin on six more occasions and left without a victory. Last season, Juventus took four points from six with the two playing out a nil-nil draw at the Juventus Stadium. Their game at the San Siro produced a 3-2 Juventus win.
The Nerazzurri are undefeated in their last two Serie A matches. They drew 2-2 with Roma in their last game after giving up one goal leads twice in the match. Juventus have won five straight Serie A fixtures and dominated Fiorentina in their most recent game, 3-0. The Bianconeri have kept three straight clean sheets while scoring seven goals. Juventus have tallied a league leading 31 goals while conceding a Serie A low of eight.
Cristiano Ronaldo leads Serie A in goals with 10. The former Real Madrid man has made a strong Bianconeri team even more difficult to beat. Ronaldo has added five assists, which means he has contributed to 15 of Juventus’ 31 goals. The forward has scored or created 48.4 percent of all Juventus goals. It does show some dependence on the Portuguese player, much like Real Madrid had on him. Juventus may have defensive midfielder Emre Can back from injury. The German midfielder is aiming for a return to the squad on Friday night.
Mauri Icardi remains Inter’s top goal scorer. The Argentine has tallied eight strikes this term along with two assists. In 10 career games against Juventus, Icardi has tallied eight strikes and two assists. However, he has only led Inter to victory three times, while drawing four games and losing five. Eleven other Inter players have scored at least one goal. Meanwhile, 12 Inter players have assisted a goal. The Nerazzurri aren’t reliant on just one player, but they get contributions from many.
Juventus have been rolling along in Serie A. The talent on hand is far superior to other Italian teams, including Inter. Friday night’s game will see goals with Juventus getting a vital winner against Inter in a close game. Juventus will tighten their grip on Serie A with a 14th win.
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