Tensions are high ahead of a Derby d’Italia that carries significantly more pressure for Inter than it does for Juventus.
The Nerazzurri have started 2022 in disastrous fashion, only picking up three wins from their opening 10 league games of the year. This drop has allowed both Milan and Napoli to leapfrog them in the league table, meaning they risk missing out on defending their Scudetto.
For Inter, victory at the Allianz Stadium is required tonight if they want to keep themselves involved in the race for the league title. A loss or draw would all but put them out of the running for the title, assuming Milan and Napoli remain focused from now until the end of the season. A win, however, would definitely restore confidence and remind Simone Inzaghi’s team that they can still lift the Scudetto next month.
Juventus are in a different position. Massimiliano Allegri has managed to right the ship in Turin following a shaky start to the season and the Bianconeri have all but guaranteed their qualification to the Champions League, sitting eight points ahead of Atalanta, who have played two games less.
Whilst a win would further tighten their grip on 4th, there is much less pressure on Allegri’s Juventus compared to Inzaghi’s Inter, who need to find three points above all else.
Yes, Inter have more to lose.
No-one expected Juventus to be champions this season, but Inter were favourites – even with a weakened squad.
If Inter lose today, there’s a chance they could only end up finishing 4th, which would be seen as a failure. But 3rd for this average Juve squad would be quite good.