Juventus will host Inter at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.
Both teams going into this week’s game on the back of clean sheets in their quarter-final victories. The Bianconeri won 1-0 against Lazio thanks to Stephan Lichtsteiner’s solitary goals while the Nerazzurri defeated Serie A leaders Napoli 2-0 in a match best remembered for Partenopei coach Maurizio Sarri’s controversial outbursts with Biscione coach Roberto Mancini.
Overall Juventus goes into this game with better form, winning their last eight games in all competitions and they haven’t lost since Sevilla defeated them 1-0 in their last Champions League encounter.
Inter have won only two of their last six matches. While Juve were winning 1-0 against Roma on the weekend, the Nerazzurri suffered shock 1-1 draw against Carpi in the league after conceding a late equaliser from Kevin Lasagna. Aside from their Coppa Italia win against the Partenopei, the Biscione have not won since they defeated Empoli on January 6 in Serie A.
Simone Zaza has struggled for regular playing time in Massimiliano Allegri’s team but he has performed admirably for Juve when he has been selected, especially in the Coppa Italia. The former Sassuolo striker scored two goals in the 4-0 win against Torino in the Round of 16 and Lichtsteiner’s goal against Lazio came from a rebound of Zaza’s thunderous shot.
Former Fiorentina goalkeeper Neto is another player who does not feature regularly for the Bianconeri but he has not conceded a goal yet his two Coppa Italia appearances this season.
Mancini’s side has struggled for goals in Serie A, having registered nine 1-0 wins in the league, but they have scored five goals in two cup matches so far.
Allegri will be missing Mario Lemina with knee inflammation as well as Roberto Pereyra with a muscular injury. Mancini will have a full strength team to choose from though.
Form Guide: Juventus (W-W-W-W-W) Inter (W-L-D-W-D)
Juventus: Neto; Rugani, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Morata, Zaza
Inter: Handanovic; Nagatomo, Miranda, Juan Jesus, Alex Telles; Kondogbia, Medel; Biabiany, Ljajic, Perisic; Jovetic
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com