Inter vs Juventus – Antonio Conte counting on star men Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez to win the Derby D’Italia

The San Siro hosts one of the biggest rivalries in Italian football tonight as teams from the two largest cities in Northern Italy, Milan and Turin, battle it out to be the pride of the north. 

Despite this bragging rights which both clubs will be desperate to have, the game is also crucial in both teams’ fight for the ‘Scudetto’. 

Neither team has been top of the league so far this season and the red and black half of Milan currently lead the pack – three points ahead of second place Inter. 

They do boast the league’s two top scores in Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored 15 times in Serie A whilst Inter’s Romelu Lukaku has 12 goals.  

However a win from Juventus tonight would see ‘The Old Lady’ move up to third place and one point behind Inter leaving them one step closer to retaining the title.

Both managers have entangled pasts from when Antonio Conte managed Juventus and Andrea Pirlo was still playing and captaining the team. 

Slight conflict grew between them when the current Juve boss grew frustrated with how his old boss used him in several games, but since then they have only ever shown the utmost respect for each other.

Prior to Pirlo becoming the Juventus boss he said: “Even’If I become a coach, it is because I saw and listened to Antonio.”

Despite this, their interpretation of ‘The beautiful game’ and tactical style differ drastically. Conte’s iconic “3-5-2” which he has so passionately defended, even with criticism at times about his belief and rigidness, focuses most of the opportunities created on striker Romelu Lukaku as well as identifying the importance of the defensive stage. This has proved pretty average with key players like Christian Eriksen failing to work in this traditional style.

Contrasting to Andrea Pirlo who has named his style “Liquid Football”. This is a complete contrast to Conte’s rigid ideas and only suggests ideas to players and allows them to make the best decision in game. He has hailed Louis Van Gaal, Conte, Ancelotti and Cruyff as his inspirations for this tactical masterclass. From the way Juventus play, it is clear to see the Dutch style making a show in their 2-3-5 formation from time-to-time.

Inter have failed to beat Inter in Serie A since the start of 2017 and – with the Old Lady wining five times and picking up two draws.

Both teams will be desperate to gain three points in what is a true title race this season as both race to catch up to the red and black of AC Milan.

INTERNAZIONALE VS JUVENTUS : 19:45pm. Tonight.

By Max Payne