Under new coach Rafael Benitez Italian and European champions Inter started the season on a slow note. But the Beneamata have since picked up momentum and are now comfortably perched on the top branch of the tree.
Inter have 10 points from five matches and are joint-top of the Italian first division with Lazio. The Nerazzurri suffered a 1-0 defeat to Roma in Rome last weekend but recovered in style from that loss with a 4-0 hammering of Werder Bremen in the Champions League in midweek.
The Nerazzurri have a great home record and the San Siro is their fortress. Inter’s defence has looked as solid as ever - they are currently the best defensive side in Italy, having conceded just three goals.
Old Lady Re-Rejuvenated
Juventus’s 4-0 defeat of Udinese in Udine on September 19 led many to believe that the Bianconeri have turned the corner but it turned out to be a false dawn as Juve sank back into depression. However, since last weekend things have improved for Luigi Del Neri’s side.
Juventus are currently ninth in the league standings with seven points from five matches, just three behind Inter. Last weekend they won 4-2 against Cagliari in Turin with Milos Krasic banging in a hat-trick and on Thursday evening drew 1-1 with Manchester City at Eastlands in the Europa League.
The former Italian and European champions are also looking great in front of goal as they have netted the ball 12 times in the league. But defensively the Bianconeri need massive improvement with Samuel Eto’o in red hot form for Inter.
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Inter
Thiago Motta, Javier Zanetti and Marco Materazzi are out injured. Walter Samuel and Diego Milito are looking doubtful too but there is a chance that they could recover in time from their respective problems.
Philippe Coutinho is likely to feature on the left side of a three-man midfield that will have Eto’o as the main striker if Milito starts on the bench.
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon and Armand Traore are unavailable because of injuries but Amauri has recovered and will be on the bench against Inter.
Alessandro Del Piero is likely to start with Vincenzo Iaquinta in attack in the 4-4-2 system that Del Neri will deploy.
Prediction
It is difficult to believe that Inter’s home run will be destroyed by Juventus even with the Bianconeri having recovered some of their lost form. One suspects that this will be a closely contested game that could either end in an Inter win or in a draw.
Inter Milan 2-1 Juventus 
