Inter Milan are eyeing the top spot in Serie A as the Italian champions travel to Turin on Sunday to face fierce rivals Juventus, just one point behind league leaders Napoli. Their victory over Fiorentina on Monday has brought Inter close to Napoli, setting up a thrilling Scudetto race with both teams set to meet in Naples in two weeks. However, this weekend’s fixtures could play a significant role in deciding the Scudetto, as Napoli face a tough away match against fourth-placed Lazio on Saturday.
Napoli have allowed Inter to close the gap with consecutive draws against Roma and Udinese, both after taking the lead. Antonio Conte’s side will be without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s replacement, David Neres, who is out with a thigh injury and is expected to return in early March.
Juventus, with a mini-revival after winning three consecutive matches, will be eager to derail Inter’s title defence. Their rivalry with Inter is even fiercer than with AC Milan.
For once, Inter have the advantage of nearly a full week’s rest, thanks to their direct qualification for the Champions League last 16, while Juventus had a tough 2-1 first-leg win over PSV Eindhoven in the play-offs on Tuesday.
That rest should benefit Inter, especially as Marcus Thuram appears ready to start after an early substitution against Fiorentina due to a muscular issue. If Thuram is unavailable, coach Simone Inzaghi could face attacking problems, as Monday’s match-winner Marko Arnautovic is also nursing a thigh injury, and Medhi Taremi has struggled to make an impact since his arrival from Porto.
Juventus have relied on Thuram’s France teammate, Randal Kolo Muani, who has scored five goals in his first three Serie A matches after arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and was unlucky not to score against PSV.
Napoli have allowed Inter to close the gap with back-to-back draws against Roma and Udinese, both after taking the lead. Antonio Conte’s team will be without David Neres, who was filling in for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia but is sidelined with a thigh injury and expected to return in early March.
Juventus, on a mini-revival with three straight wins, will be keen to halt Inter’s title defence. Their rivalry with Inter is even more intense than with AC Milan.
For once, Inter enjoy a near-full week’s rest due to their direct Champions League last-16 qualification, while Juventus had a hard-fought 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in Tuesday’s play-off first leg.
That extra rest should benefit Inter, especially as Marcus Thuram looks set to start after being substituted early against Fiorentina with a muscular issue. If Thuram misses out, coach Simone Inzaghi could face attacking challenges, as Monday’s match-winner Marko Arnautovic is also dealing with a thigh injury, and Medhi Taremi has struggled to make an impact since his arrival from Porto.
Juventus have turned to Thuram’s French teammate, Randal Kolo Muani, who has scored five goals in his first three Serie A appearances after joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and was unlucky not to score against PSV.