The day of Inter-Juventus. Sunday of Serie A revolves around the Italian derby number 252 (210 in Serie A), a big match with a high technical and emotional quotient. The one at San Siro will certainly not be a decisive challenge, but it will still put very delicate points up for grabs both in terms of the standings and the morale of the respective environments, called upon to stay in the wake of the league leaders Napoli, “escaped” yesterday thanks to the victory over Lecce (1-0 signed by Di Lorenzo). Inter-Juve in the foreground in short, but today will also offer Fiorentina-Roma e Lazio-Genoa, with the teams of the Capital called to redeem themselves in the championship after the European successes. At stake are precious points for the Champions zone, to which Gasperini's Atalanta has also registered by right since yesterday, simply unstoppable in the 6-1 over the unfortunate Verona.
Napoli – Lecce 1-0: Conte flies to +5 thanks to Di Lorenzo
Inter-Juve becomes even more delicate after Napoli's success, which flew to +5 thanks to the 1-0 against Lecce. The decisive Di Lorenzo's goal (73') at the end of a tough match, in which the Azzurri found an opponent who was decidedly less soft than expected. Gotti's Salentini played a good game from a defensive point of view, without however giving up some dangerous counterattacks, so much so that Meret had to get his gloves dirty on at least a couple of occasions. Napoli also had many, of course, but with 20' to go the score was still 0-0 and many were starting to think about a sensational slip-up. Then the captain took the stage, who had already had a goal disallowed in the first half for offside. The Azzurri number 22, one of the most revitalised by the Conte treatment, pounced on the header of McTominay rejected by Falcone and scored the decisive goal, giving the coach another weekend at the top of the league, regardless of how the San Siro match goes. Napoli thus closes the cycle of “affordable” matches with full points, albeit with more difficulty than expected: now the big matches arrive (Milan, Atalanta, Inter and Roma) and we will understand more about the real consistency of the team, but above all about the Scudetto ambitions.
Conte: "We dominated, now we focus on Milan and a very indicative test"
“This time I have little to reproach the team for – the analysis of Tale -. We had 65% possession, we shot 24 times and collected 16 corners, we attacked a lot, but we were a bit nervous because we couldn't score, even though I was convinced that sooner or later we would have succeeded. We have to understand that it takes maturity and patience to move the ball around and create opportunities. I will watch Inter-Juve because I have a great passion for football, we will follow it knowing that they are two very strong teams and we will enjoy it. Now let's focus on Milan, a definitely important commitment that will test us against a team that gave us 22 points last year. The Rossoneri have made an important transfer market, we will measure ourselves against them, even if we have earned the points we needed to. Now, however, we will compete at a higher level, going to San Siro is never a walk in the park”.
Inter – Juventus (18pm, Dazn and Sky)
Let us now return to the present, that is to Inter-Juventus. The challenge does not award anything for obvious reasons, but it comes at a rather delicate moment for both. The Nerazzurri, despite five consecutive victories between the league and the Champions League, have to deal with several injuries after years of "immunity", with Inzaghi forced to give up key elements such as Calhanoglu and Acerbi, as well as very valid alternatives such as Carlos Augusto. The return of Zielinski (who already replaced Berne) and Asllani barely raises a smile, given that the two are certainly not in top form. But if Inter has a problem with defections, Juve has a real emergency, which has already begun several games ago. Thiago Motta, for the umpteenth time, will have to do without Koopmeiners, Nico Gonzalez, Bremer and Milik, which inevitably reflects on the overall quality of the team. The coach is dealing with the first difficult moment of his management, as seen in the Champions League defeat against Stuttgart: the Bianconeri were dominated far and wide and only a great Perin avoided making a fool of himself. The trip to San Siro certainly doesn't come at the best time, but Inter, regardless of the results, isn't going through its best moment either. The feeling is that the Nerazzurri start as favorites, even with the awareness that in games like this it's best to keep your eyes wide open. The derby with Milan a few weeks ago, after all, is still fresh in the memory, but it's not a given that Thiago will take inspiration from Fonseca, going to attack Inter all over the pitch. Juve's problems, in fact, mainly concern the offensive phase, which has become even more sterile after the aforementioned injuries.
Inzaghi: “The championship is open, there are those who have invested a lot to reduce the gap”
“We all know the importance of the match, what it means for our club, for our fans, for ourselves – he underlined Inzaghi -. However, we are only at the ninth day of the championship and it certainly won't be decisive, but it is still important. Two excellent teams that have had practically the same path will face each other, we are getting there well, with a streak of five consecutive victories. Unfortunately we have had some small problems, which will limit us in these games that take us to the break. The players are ready, I will try to field the best possible formation. Thiago Motta says we are favorites for the championship? You know what I think about the grids, I think there will be many teams in the running. Many have invested a lot and filled the gap, so it will depend on many things and many factors, but it will certainly be a balanced championship. Since I have been here we have played this game ten times and there has always been great balance, moreover two ended in extra time because they were finals. It will be a very balanced game: Juventus lost the first game two days ago, they are the best in Europe for goals conceded. They are an excellent team with a very good coach who I like a lot, he has made huge investments and will be a protagonist all year”.
Thiago Motta: “Inter and Napoli are the favourites for the Scudetto, but we will give 200%”
“Inter and Napoli are objectively the favourites for the Scudetto,” he pointed out. Thiago Motta -. We will play against a strong team, but we will have to face them with great concentration, courage and playing good football. Every match is a different story, we have to take the game where it suits us because their experience counts. They won the last championship, we will have to play the right game to put them in difficulty, we will have to be concrete and increase the chances of bringing it to our side. Stuttgart is the past, we are convinced of our game and our ideas and we must only think about Inter, trying to give our best. There is no need to work on the group's mentality, the team is fine: at Juve the demands are very high, the first defeat has arrived and we must move on to the next game, we do the same when we win. There is no time to celebrate and the same goes for complaining when things go worse. I take it very well because I consider it the next game to face, we will enter the field at 200%. Then we can win, lose or draw, but always trying to get the best result by working with great commitment”.
Inter – Juventus, probable formations
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro
On the bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Bisseck, Palacios, Asllani, Darmian, Frattesi, Taremi, Arnautovic, Correa
Coach: Inzaghi
Unavailable: Buchanan, Acerbi, Calhanoglu, Carlos Augusto
Disqualified: none
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Cambiaso, Gatti, Kalulu, Cabal; Locatelli, McKennie; Conceicao, Fagioli, Yildiz; Vlahovic
On the bench: Perin, Pinsoglio, Danilo, Savona, Rouhi, Thuram, Weah, Mbangula, Adzic
Coach: Thiago Motta
Unavailable: Koopmeiners, Milik, Bremer, Nico Gonzalez, Douglas Luiz
Suspended: Pogba (until 11 March 2025)
Fiorentina – Rome (20.45pm, Dazn)
The other key match of Sunday is that of Florence, where Italiano's explosive Viola (four consecutive victories between the championship and the Conference) will receive a Roma struggling with various problems. The defeat with Inter has distanced them from the noble zone of the standings and another KO would have disastrous consequences for everyone, starting with Juric. In the capital, many think that his bench is at risk, especially since the reaction called for in the pre-Europa League conference was only partially seen: what needs to be saved, in the 1-0 against Dynamo Kiev, is above all the result, certainly not the game. The coach, as we will see shortly, continues to show off his confidence, but he too knows how time is running out: three points are needed, otherwise the ghost of De Rossi could materialize in the flesh. The changeover, after all, had been decided by Lina Souloukou, but her "resignation" immediately weakened the figure of Juric, who was already disliked by the fans. The results completed the picture, the same ones that could save his bench. It won't be easy at all because Fiorentina, after the initial difficulties, seems to have taken a turn for the better both in terms of results (four victories against The New Saints, Milan, Lecce and San Gallo) and goals scored (14!), even if Palladino will have to do without Gudmundsson and deal with the ailments of Kean, called up but destined for the bench.
Juric: “We still lack a bit of nastiness, but we are growing”
“We are fine, I see both Pellegrini and Dybala, the whole game depends on their goals because they are close to the goal and we hope to improve in that sense - Juric thought -. In the offensive phase, everything is lacking, there were also posts and wasted opportunities. We need more conviction, but we are working on it, I hope everyone gets going, even Pellegrini who was very unlucky. However, the path taken is the right one, we have also seen it in Europe, we must not have drops in tension and be more aggressive up front. The criticisms? I think we have gone further on many things, but there is still something to build. If each player improves, the team benefits, but my aim is to help the players who are not at their best grow. Why doesn't Hummels play? I don't look at age and curriculum, I evaluate what I see in training and make the choices. Whoever gives me more confidence plays and therefore it is a technical choice. Hermoso is also finding little space, but Ndicka can become a top player. There are no other motivations".
Fiorentina – Roma, probable formations
Fiorentina (4-3-2-1): De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Adli, Cataldi, Bove; Colpani, Beltran; Kean
On the bench: Terracciano, Martinelli, Martinez Quarta, Moreno, Kayode, Biraghi, Parisi, Richardson, Sottil, Ikoné, Kouamé
Coach: Palladino
Unavailable: Pongracic, Mandragora, Gudmundsson
Disqualified: none
Rome (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Angelino; Celik, Koné, Cristante, Zalewski; Dybala, Pellegrini; Dovbyk
On the bench: Ryan, Marin, Sangaré, Hummels, Hermoso, Abdulhamid, Dahl, Le Fée, Paredes, Pisilli, Baldanzi, Soulé, Shomurodov
Coach: Juric
Unavailable: Saelemaekers, El Shaarawy
Disqualified: none
Lazio – Genoa (15pm, Dazn)
To complete the picture, in addition to Parma-Empoli (12.30) and Monza-Venice (15), it will be Lazio-Genoa, a challenge between two teams that are going through opposite moments. The Biancocelesti, despite the slowdown in Turin, are in excellent form and they demonstrated it on Thursday in Holland, going to collect the third victory in as many rounds of the Europa League. The Rossoblu, on the other hand, have not seen the 3 points since last August 24 (0-1 in Monza) and since then they have collected only two points, one with Roma and the other last Saturday against Bologna. In between, five defeats (including the one on penalties in the Coppa Italia derby with Sampdoria), a flood of injuries (even today Gilardino will have to do without seven players) and the now well-known corporate problems, even if yesterday a glimmer of hope was lit: Mario Balotelli, strongly desired by both president Zangrillo who has reached an agreement with the coach and is ready to take to the field (physical conditions permitting) already in the next midweek round. However, Lazio has no choice but to win and return to see the Champions zone, as long as they remain focused and do not take anything for granted.
Lazio – Genoa, probable formations
Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Marusic, Patric, Gila, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos
On the bench: Mandas, Furlanetto, Gigot, Pellegrini, Dele-Bashiru, Vecino, Castrovilli, Tchaouna, Noslin, Pedro
Coach: Baroni
Unavailable: Lazzari
Disqualified: Romagnoli
Genoa (4-4-1-1): Loyal; Matturro, Vogliacco, Vasquez, Martin; Sabelli, Frendrup, Miretti, Melegoni; Thorsby; Pinamonti
On the bench: Sommariva, Stolz, Zanoli, Accornero, Masini, Kassa, Ankeye, Ahanor, Norton-Cuffy, Bohinen, Pereiro, Badelj, Ekhator, Ekuban
Coach: Gilardino
Unavailable: Malinovskyi, Vitinha, Messias, De Winter, Bani, Gollini
Disqualified: none
