A 2015 with a bang! The wait was long (15 day break for the Christmas holidays) but all in all, given what awaits us today, it was worth it. Juventus-Inter (at 21) is much more than a football match and its value goes far beyond points and classification. The "Derby d'Italia" (definition coined by Gianni Brera in 1967) is the most heartfelt match in our country and things don't change even today when the teams are divided by as many as 18 points.
“In the last few games we have been a little less brilliant, we need to win again – thought Massimiliano Allegri. – The team is back full of energy, we needed a little vacation after such intense five months. With Inter it will be a dangerous challenge also because it's the first of the year, just look at what happened to Real Madrid and Barcelona (defeats, respectively, by Valencia and Real Sociedad, ed). And then they have important players: Kovacic, Icardi, Palacio, Guarin, Ranocchia... Whoever is more concentrated will score, it's not a technical question but a mental one." Juventus are experiencing the moment with apparent serenity, but it is clear however that the defeat in the Super Cup and the imminent match against Napoli (next Sunday) can only arouse some concern.
From this point of view, Mancini is not doing better, forced to start well to attempt a comeback in the standings. “Juve are strong, very strong, there's no particular way to beat them – his words at the press conference. – In football, however, anything can happen, you have to be very good. During the year there are matches that are worth something more, even on a mental level”. In short, both coaches want to win and it couldn't be otherwise. However, everyone's mind these days is divided between the pitch and the transfer market and Juventus and Inter are certainly no less. At Juventus, we are thinking about possible reinforcements, but also about Tevez's statements.
“In Italy there is always a conspiracy – Allegri's speech. – Carlos only said that he will return to Argentina at the end of the contract, if he wants to do so, that's right. He is still a year and a half away and will be a professional until the end, full stop ”. The coach then did not hide the desire to reach Sneijder and Rolando, currently blocked by the very high demands of Galatasaray and Porto. “It's no mystery that we're looking for an attacking midfielder and a defender – he admitted. – Wesley has the qualities to strengthen us but today he is a Galatasaray player… ”.
Lukas Podolski, on the other hand, is all Nerazzurri, called up by Mancini for tonight's big game. “I prepared for the match without him but I'll take him to the bench – explained the coach from Jesi. – He's a very good player, he will give us a big hand. I had asked for two externals, for now one has arrived…Shaqiri? He's a Bayern player but he would certainly suit us. Indeed, he would be the ideal… ”. Field and transfer market, that's how it works in January. Allegri has no particular formation doubts: 4-3-1-2 with Buffon in goal, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini and Evra in defense, Marchisio, Pirlo and Pogba in midfield, Vidal in the trocar behind the attacking duo Tevez- Llorente.
Mancini also seems to have chosen the starting eleven: 4-2-3-1 with Handanovic in goal, Campagnaro, Juan Jesus, Ranocchia and D'Ambrosio in defence, Medel and Kuzmanovic in midfield, Hernanes, Kovacic and Palacio behind the only Icardi points. Tonight's derby will be the 224th Italian derby, the 190th in the league, the 96th in Turin. The precedents in Savoy land clearly smile on the Lady who has won on 64 occasions, compared to 17 draws and "only" 14 Nerazzurri successes. But don't take anything for granted: it's no coincidence that they call it the "Derby d'Italia"...
