Interview I Journalist Mirko Di Natale ahead of Juventus vs Inter: Inter are stronger and are the favourites; Juve must finish their chances

The focus of the Italian nation shifts towards Turin this evening as Serie A giants Juventus and Inter clash in this season’s first edition of the Derby D’Italia at the Allianz Stadium.

As it stands, the Nerazzurri sit at the summit of the league with 28 points, whilst the Bianconeri are only two points adrift in second of the league standings. Both sides enter this fixture in a superb run of form, as they have managed to maintain an unbeaten record throughout their last five league-matches.

Despite the Old Lady remaining dominant on home soil thus far, Juventus are set to confront arguably their most difficult hurdle yet as the Beneamata have maintained a 100% win record away from home and are currently the best attacking and defensive team with the Serie A, amassing 29 goals-scored and conceding only six goals in twelve games-played in the 2023/24 term.

With plenty at stake for both topflight sides, the Get Italian Football News team had Tuttojuve journalist Mirko Di Natale preview and provide his insight on the highly anticipated fixture.

Mirko was first asked to describe how he foresees the match playing out and what the key will be for Juventus in order to seal all three points against Inter:

“I think Juventus-Inter will be more of a tactical affair than a spectacular match. They are two teams that prefer individuality and playing at a high speed, rather than dominating the game and gaining possession. Inter are stronger and are the favourites, so Juve will try to finish their chances. The supporters will be very important.”

In addition, Mirko was then asked about how he felt about coach Max Allegri’s season so far and the differences he noticed from this year’s version of the Bianconeri compared to last season:

“Allegri is getting the most out of the material he has at his disposal. He is a concrete coach, his priority is the result and not the performance. Juve, after an encouraging start, are back to playing badly, but are second in the table and tomorrow he could return to the top of the league after a long time. The fans today attack him for his style of play, but they are extremely happy to see their team where they deserve to be”

Further more, Mirko was asked to pick-out his standout Juventus player this season thus far:

It’s difficult to find just one player, because up to now we have already witnessed two Juventus teams: the first with Chiesa and Vlahovic as protagonists, the second – post Sassuolo – more compact and strong at group level. Today’s Juve is strong as a collective, not in the single”.

Finally, Mirko was asked to touch upon his perspective of the Bianconeri’s opponents following a spectacular start to the campaign with coach Simone Inzaghi at the helm of the Nerazzurri:

Inter is a great team, the strongest in Italy for some years now. In terms of roster depth, it reminds me a lot of Juventus in 2017/18. The strongest player is unquestionably Lautaro, but Dimarco and Barella are equivalent to added attackers and they always make the difference at any time. The only comment I make is on their style-of-play, I don’t understand why such a strong team doesn’t dominate the game and very often limits itself to restarting only at speed. But for the rest, on the pitch it’s really a great club. Off it, due to the economic situation, no.”

Julian Faustini Ι GIFN