In a highly anticipated Serie A showdown, Inter Milan and Juventus are set to collide on Sunday, showcasing a clash between two title favorites and historic rivals. Inter, leading the league with a two-point advantage over Juventus after 12 matches, has enjoyed a stellar season, securing a spot in the Champions League knockouts with two matches to spare. Massimiliano Allegri's pragmatic football style defines Juventus, a team tough to break down and currently posing as Inter's closest challengers with Milan and champions Napoli faltering.
Simone Inzaghi's Inter boasts Serie A's best attack, tallying 29 goals, led by Lautaro Martinez's remarkable 12 goals in 12 appearances, coupled with the league's best defense, conceding just six goals. As Juventus faces the challenge of Inter in Turin, their European-free schedule provides an advantage in the domestic competition. Inter, on the other hand, faces a demanding schedule with matches against Benfica in Portugal and a trip to Naples, along with upcoming fixtures against Udinese, Real Sociedad, and Lazio in the next three weeks.
Despite Inter's formidable performance, CEO Giuseppe Marotta attempts to temper expectations, acknowledging Juventus as medium-term favorites due to their absence from European competition. Marotta emphasizes Inter's strength with a talented team, a solid manager, and supportive owners, expressing the intent to replicate last season's trophy challenge. Meanwhile, Napoli, currently 10 points adrift, faces challenges in their title defense under Walter Mazzarri, whose return attempts to steer the club back on course after a troubled start to the season.
Napoli's struggles, marked by managerial changes and a lack of cohesion, add complexity to their title defense. Mazzarri, despite his absence from coaching for 18 months, brings past success to the forefront, having previously guided Napoli to Serie A's upper echelons. However, Napoli's upcoming match against Atalanta presents a formidable challenge, and a loss could potentially push them out of the top four, adding further pressure to a team seeking stability amid a turbulent season.
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