Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has admitted that he is hoping to avoid facing either Hakan Calhanoglu or Lautaro Martinez from the penalty spot when the Bianconeri travel to San Siro to face Inter in Serie A on Sunday evening.
Szczesny said that he is studying both of Inter’s spot-kick experts ahead of Sunday’s crucial game in the Serie A title race.
He did admit, however, that when Calhanoglu strikes the ball well from the penalty spot, there is little that can be done to prevent the ball from going in, even if the goalkeeper guesses the direction correctly.
“Calhanoglu is strong, there isn’t even much need to study him, because he is one of those penalty takers who when he shoots as well as he knows how to shoot,” Szczesny told TNT Sports in a recent interview.
“You can study him, but you still can’t match him. Especially that closed penalty, very strong, when he shoots well there is no possibility of saving it. However, I am studying both him and Lautaro, he is also a good penalty taker. I’m hoping not to face a penalty.”
Juventus currently sit one point behind league leaders Inter in second place in the Serie A standings. The Old Lady have played one game more than the Nerazzurri due to the Suepercoppa Italiana in January.
Juve could go two points clear at the top of the table with a win at San Siro, while Inter would go four clear, still with a game in hand if they claim a victory on Sunday night.
The Derby d’Italia is also one of the most fiercely contested matches in Italy, a game which Szczesny compared to the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League.
“It would be like a Manchester United vs Liverpool match, and I say this as an Arsenal fan, so it bothers me,” Szczesny said through gritted teeth.
“I continue to follow Arsenal, the team I supported as a child: they are doing well, I follow almost every match. Since Mikel Arteta has been here, they have made a lot of progress and are there to compete for the league.”