Preview- Inter Milan vs Juventus 29 April 2018

[Harry85]

Match Day 35
Inter Milan vs Juventus
Sunday, April 29th, 2018
03:45 am (GMT+8 Timing)
Stadium: San Siro Stadium


Inter Milan: 
Last five matches form: D L D W W
Average goals per match: 1.65
Average goals against per match: 0.68
Top Scorer: Mauro Icardi (26)


Juventus:
Last five matches form: W W W D L
Average goals per match: 2.29
Average goals against per match: 0.59
Top Scorer: Paulo Dybala (21)

Having looked to have the Serie A title all but sewn up only a few weeks ago, Juventus are now under serious pressure to hang on to their title. A draw at lowly Crotone gave Napoli something to aim at, and the Neopolitan's took full advantage when grabbing a last gasp winner to down Juve last week. That brings the gap down to just the one point headed into week 35 and Juventus must win here if they are to be certain of maintaining their place at the summit.

Picking up three points at the San Siro won't be easy though. Host's Inter are desperate for a win themselves as they bid to run down either Lazio or Roma in the race for the Champions League. Inter sit fifth, but only one point adrift of their Rome rivals. A win here would be a huge boost to their chances of finishing in the top four.

Inter have been good at home of late, going unbeaten in their last eight Serie A outings at the San Siro, and losing only once at home in the league all season.

Good as Inter's record at home is, it doesn't quite match Juventus's performance in away games. The Old Lady have won 13 of 17 away from home, losing only once.

Inter look to be struggling in the centre of the park ahead of this clash with both Matías Vecino and Roberto Gagliardini set to miss out.

The big blow for Juventus comes in the heart of their defence. Giorgio Chiellini expected to be unavailable here.

Both teams have their problems but overall we just trust Juventus a little more to put in a big performance on the day. As witnessed in THAT match at the Bernabeu recently they are more than capable of upping their game when their backs are against the wall and they may do so again here.

Prediction: Inter Milan 1 - 3  Juventus

[Harry85]

Half time: 0 - 1
Full time: 2 - 3
Shots: 10 - 13
Shots on target: 5 - 4
Corner Kicks: 2 - 8
Possession: 44% - 56%

A busy evening for referee Giuseppe Meazza in a game where both sides struggled to keep their discipline. Juan Cuadrado, Miralem Pjanic, Andrea Barzagli, Mario Mandzukic and Alex Sandro all being booked for Juventus. Inter meanwhile received yellow cards for Danilo D'Ambrosio and Marcelo Brozovic and a straight red for Matias Vecino.

What a game at the San Siro! This one had just about everything.

It was the visitors who took the lead in the 13th minute. Cuadrado's ball from deep from the right-hand side evading everyone to find Douglas Costa unmarked just outside the corner of the six yard box on the left. One touch to control and another to sweep a volley into the bottom right hand corner.

Things got worse for Inter just two minutes later. Matias Vecino receiving his marching orders for what was at best a late and misdirected tackle, and at worst a stamp on Mario Mandzukic.

A flurry of cards, scandalous challenges and a disallowed Juve goal lit up the rest of the opening 45 minutes. 0-1 at the break though with the real fireworks still to come.

Inter equalised in the 52nd minute. Mauro Icardi rising highest to head home a Joao Cancelo free kick from the right.

Then in the 65th minute the ten-man home side amazingly took the lead. Ivan Perisic dancing down the wing before whipping the ball across the six-yard box. The cross evaded his teammates but found Juve defender Andrea Barzagli who could only turn into his own net.

And that's the way it stayed….until the 87th minute.

Juan Cuadrado tearing into the box to reach a ball headed for the by-line. His attempted cross clipping off Milan Skrinian and flying into the far bottom corner.

A point wouldn't be enough to guarantee Juventus's stay at the top this weekend.

In the 89th minute an excellent free kick from Dybala on the left was latched onto by Gonzalo Higuaín to head home from point blank range. Wow!

Juventus stay top and four points above of Napoli ahead of their clash with Fiorentina.

Inter lose ground in the race for the Champions League. Lazio are only one point ahead but are still to play this weekend.