Former coach Arrigo Sacchi looked ahead to the coming Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter, detailing his expectations for the key title race clash.
The two rivals currently sit at the top of the Serie A table after 12 games, with the Nerazzurri holding a two-point lead over the Bianconeri. Both sides have been forced to watch Milan and Napoli lift the Scudetto in the last two years, leaving them desperate for success this term.
Inter have a spring in their step after reaching the Champions League final last season and they’ve maintained that this campaign, allowing them to sprint to the top of the table, but many believe Juventus have a slight advantage due to their lack of European competitions.
Writing on Page eight of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi analysed the upcoming Derby d’Italia and explained what both Juventus and Inter need to do to find victory in a match that could prove key in the title race.
“It will be the first real test of the season. Both for Juve and for Inter. Not that the two teams haven’t already overcome rather difficult tests, but the direct clash is always something that, in addition to telling the present, can tell the truth about the future.
“Starting from the fact that both the Bianconeri and the Nerazzurri are in good physical condition and that both clubs will provide several players to the various national teams, let’s try to read the challenge in advance.
“What game will it be? I expect a Juventus linked to their traditional football, made up of defence and counterattacking, and I expect an Inter that try to take the pitch and dominate the opponent.
“Juve has recently had major corporate problems and now have strong motivation to react to adversity and become leaders again.
“Allegri’s team, which, not having European commitments, can train all week avoiding travel and possible injuries, are deadly when they express themselves on the counterattack.
“Another characteristic is that of defending with all the players available, the Bianconeri compact themselves in their half of the pitch, press in a limited space and try to close all the opponents’ avenues.
“Then, once they have won the ball back, they run forward (with a few players) exploiting the speed of players like Chiesa and Kean, the latter finally maturing (at least so it seems). Juve focused a lot on the individual, on physical strength and experience.
“Allegri is a very good tactician. We see little of the game, this must be admitted, and it is a shame because in the Juventus squad there are very strong players who, if supplied more frequently and supported by solid play, could be even more decisive.
“On set pieces, be it a corner or a lateral free kick, Juve are always dangerous. They take advantage of the muscles and height of their advancing defenders. And even in one-on-one situations, I see them as having a slight advantage, because when they start off at speed it’s difficult to stop them.
“Inter’s task will be to avoid Juventus’ rapid counterattacks. How? One word is enough: pressing. It takes courage to do it and it takes knowledge to always have the right distances between the departments, but it is only with pressing that you can steal the ball in the offensive zone, send the opponent into crisis and propose a counter-break.
“Simone Inzaghi, who is doing an excellent job, must avoid bringing the Bianconeri too close to his own area. I always said: ‘If we make Maradona receive the ball in midfield, he will be less dangerous. However, if he catches it when he is near our area, he becomes deadly.’
“Inzaghi must follow the same reasoning, even if Juve don’t have a Maradona. Doubling the scoring will be fundamental and a player will also be needed, I’m thinking of Calhanoglu, who will block and help his teammates.
“Inter, in my opinion, should try to dominate the game, because it would force Juve to retreat behind and could exploit the splendid synergy that has been created between Thuram and Lautaro.
“In Turin, Inzaghi’s team has a great chance: to demonstrate that they are leaders of the league. This too is fuel that can help accomplish the feat.”