Max Allegri explains why he did not rotate the Juventus squad for this Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter and hopes they can have ‘a busy May’ by progressing in this tournament and the Europa League.
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
This is the first leg and the decider will be at San Siro on April 26, but the away goals rule no longer applies from this season.
While both were expected to rotate the squad, instead these are almost full-strength sides. Did Allegri and Simone Inzaghi sense the danger of this match?
“I didn’t sense danger, it’s that we are against a very strong team, the best along with Napoli and Milan in the running for the League,” Allegri told Sport Mediaset.
“It is a complicated match, it will be played over two legs, they have experience, technique, physical strength and we need to play with great respect, humility and the desire to work hard.
“It is another important test for my team, naturally in April there are knockout rounds that either take you into the final or send you home. If we can make sure we have a busy May, that’ll mean we are going all the way in the Coppa Italia and Europa League.”
Dusan Vlahovic is leading the attack with Angel Di Maria, but the Serbian continues to strike a frustrated figure upfront.
“I expect a lot from everyone, it doesn’t matter if Vlahovic scores or anyone else. Dusan played very well in Milan, I am happy with how he is improving after returning from injury.”
Allegri has done well to isolate Juventus from the off the field tension, above all the legal battles and 15-point penalty.
“We need to do that, because we are working on the pitch. There are three competitions, they keep getting tougher, and momentarily in Serie A we have amassed 59 points, so we must try to either consolidate or improve the gap from fifth place.”
By saying the gap from fifth place, Allegri implies that their ‘real’ position in the table is second rather than seventh.
As things stand with the 15-point penalty, Juve are on just 44 points.