Juve-Inter another fascinating clash
After Juventus beat Napoli last weekend, the Bianconeri face another tough clash on Saturday night when unbeaten Inter travel to the Allianz stadium in Turin. Max Allegri’s side may look the favourites on paper, having won their last three home encounters with the Nerazzurri – as well as having won 36 of their last 38 home league matches – but this does not take into account the current form of the opposition.
Under new boss Luciano Spalletti, Inter are the only side to remain unbeaten in the Italian top-flight and has earned more points after 15 games than the side coached by Jose Mourinho that went on to win the treble in 2009/10.
Striker Mauro Icardi has fired in 16 goals in just 15 league outings, but the Bianconeri have their own weapon in Gonzalo Higuain, the 29-year-old having scored the only goal in their win over Napoli last time out. “They’re a tough opponent, with a superb Coach who is proving himself,” the Argentine told Sky Italia. “It’ll be a battle and we hope to go top before Napoli’s result. We hope to play a great game and take home these three points which will be crucial in the title race.”
The form of both sides sets up a Derby d’Italia encounter that will be fascinating to watch for supporters and neutrals alike.
Napoli face tough test
After their first league defeat of the season versus Juventus, Napoli endured a miserable midweek when they were eliminated from the Champions League, the only Italian side not to progress in Europe. They will now drop down into the Europa League, and will be hoping that they can bounce back in domestic competition.
“Lately we haven’t played our best football,” said striker Dries Mertens following the defeat to Feyenoord. “After a year of doing so well, we’re facing a difficult time and we want to get back to our best as soon as possible.”
This will not be easy however, as they host a Fiorentina side who put in a confident performance at home to Sassuolo last weekend. Both teams are expected to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, and while the Partenopei are famous for their attacking three of Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon, the Viola can boast a potent front line of their own.
Sons of former greats, young Giovanni Simeone and Federico Chiesa have scored five and four league goals respectively and 34-year-old Cyril Thereau (as discussed in this previous post) brings some much-needed experience up-front.
Napoli may be without Insigne, who remains a doubt through injury, but nonetheless will be expecting to get back to winning ways. Maurizio Sarri’s side have won their last four home matches against Fiorentina in all competitions.
The pressure is on for Gattuso
It’s already not looking good for new Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso, as he admitted his side were “fragile” following a 2-0 Europa League loss to minnows Rijeka in midweek. The embarrassment followed a match that caught the headlines last weekend, when Benevento secured their first ever Serie A point versus the Rossoneri thanks to a 96th minute equaliser from their goalkeeper.
“I am the one responsible today, as I chose to field this line-up,” said the Coach in his post-match comments. “We are too fragile and we give the sensation that we cannot react to the first sign of difficulty. We have got to improve quickly.”
His side face a Bologna team who sit just one place below them in the table, level on points with 21 after just 15 matches.
