Serie A leaders Inter Milan can further extend their league advantage this weekend with victory over title challengers Juventus. Jose Mourinho's Inter are currently seven points ahead of fierce city rivals AC Milan and eight clear of faltering Juve, who are third.
With AC facing a challenging contest against fourth-placed Sampdoria in the first match of the weekend tomorrow, three more points could put Inter a significant step nearer to retaining their title.
Juventus-Inter clashes, known as the 'Derby d’Italia', traditionally create a fervour among the clubs' supporters but Mourinho remained typically emotionless in the build-up. Last season it was a dramatic 1-1 draw, as Balotelli’s goal was cancelled out in stoppages by Zdenek Grygera. Super Mario has an excellent record in Turin, netting a brace here in the 2008 Coppa Italia for a 3-2 victory. In Serie A Inter’s last win in this city was sealed by a lone Julio Cruz strike on April 20, 2005, but the last two editions have ended 1-1.
Felipe Melo is not 100 per cent fit, but above all has been in dire form recently, so should make way for Christian Poulsen and Momo Sissoko. The current crisis could prompt Ciro Ferrara to adopt a diamond midfield, setting Diego up as the bridge to Amauri and Alessandro Del Piero. It is a more solid system against Inter’s notorious counter-attacks.
Jose Mourinho may have picked Maicon in his Inter squad to face Juventus on Saturday, but he will not play though as the authorities throw out the club's appeal against a two game ban. The Lega Calcio has upheld the original two match ban after rejecting the club's appeal. Maicon was sent off during the win against Bologna two weeks ago for insulting the linesman. He received a two match ban, one of which was served last week against Fiorentina.
Juventus will battle it hard to cause maximum damage to the leaders Inter Milan.
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