'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The biggest game in Italy will take place this weekend, as Juventus host Inter Milan in the 241st iteration of the Derby d'Italia.
Beyond bragging rights, a lot more would ride on the outcome of this game, especially for Juventus, who need a victory to keep their hopes of securing a top-four finish alive.
Inter Milan come into this clash high on confidence, having ended Juventus' near decade-long Serie A dominance. The Nerazzurri will now look to inflict more punishment on the deposed champions by registering their first league double over Juventus since 2003-04.
Trending
In their first meeting of the season, Inter Milan beat Juventus 2-0, with Arturo Vidal and Nico Barella getting on the scoresheet.
Juventus exacted revenge in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia, beating the champions-elect 2-1 on aggregate. The Bianconeri would need more of the same to keep their hopes of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League alive.
There are several world-beaters and elite performers in both camps. So there would be key battles galore that could potentially determine the outcome of this marquee game. On that note, let's have a look at five such player matchups.
#1 Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie (Juventus) vs Marcelo Brozovic and Nico Barella (Inter Milan)
Creativity through the middle has been a problem for Juventus this season. But Adrien Rabiot is coming into this fixture in high spirits following his stellar display against Sassuolo in midweek. Weston McKennie has been one of the brightest sparks for Juventus this term, and Andrea Pirlo will count on him to deliver the goods against Inter Milan.
Nevertheless, both men will have their work cut out, as Antonio Conte usually overloads his midfield. Nicolo Barella acts as the link between midfield and attack, while Marcelo Brozovic shields the defence.
So, whichever pair wins the midfield duel could go a long way in determining the outcome of this game.
#2 Alex Sandro (Juventus) vs Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan)
The game could also be lost or won on the flanks, so both teams' full-backs will have a pivotal role to play on Saturday.
For Juventus, Alex Sandro acts as their chief attacking outlet down the left flank, so the Brazilian will have to be on top of his game to shackle Hakimi effectively.
The former Real Madrid man has been one of the most dependable players under Conte this season. His imperious performances down the right flank played a key role in helping Inter Milan win their first league title in more than a decade.
Hakimi loves to maraud forward to join attacks, and although his delivery still has room for improvement, he makes up for that with his considerable goal threat.
Meanwhile, Alex Sandro is the more refined of the two,, but he will have to effectively balance his attacking and defending duties to ensure that Hakimi's threat down the flank is limited.
#3 Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter Milan) vs Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Cristiano Ronaldo has almost single-handedly kept Juventus in the hunt for a top-four finish. So he'll be expected to produce another stellar display, this time against Inter Milan.
The man who will be most likely be charged with stopping the Madeira native would be Danilo D'Ambrosio. He will have to be at his best to keep Ronaldo, who is currently leading the Capocannoniere race, quiet.
Juventus have shown a penchant for crosses in recent weeks, which plays to Cristiano Ronaldo's strengths. This is an area where D'Ambrosio might struggle, as he is not the most physically imposing of defenders.
The Inter Milan defender's lack of pace could also see him exposed. But Conte's deployment of a three-man defence means Milan Skriniar could provide cover for D'Ambrosio.
#4 Alvaro Morata (Juventus) vs Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)
Alvaro Morata has not had the most spectacular of seasons, which has consequently seen him drift in and out of the Juventus starting lineup. However, with a lot riding on the outcome of this game against Inter Milan, Andrea Pirlo is likely to double up in attack to put pressure on the visitors' three-man backline.
Morata's strength is his aerial prowess, but the Spain international is also adept in holding up play and acting as an effective foil for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Either way, Stefan de Vrij would have to be up to the task of marking the former Chelsea man. Morata is also extremely physical but has tended to struggle against imposing defenders.
De Vrij, inarguably, has been one of the standout defenders in the Serie A this season. So Conte will count on him to produce another marquee display at the heart of the Inter Milan defence.
#5 Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan) vs Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus)
If Juventus hope to get anything from their game against Inter Milan, they will have to keep a tight leash on Romelu Lukaku.
The 28-year-old has been nothing short of phenomenal since arriving at the San Siro. He has taken his all-round game to new heights under the astute management of Antonio Conte.
Lukaku's directness and strength makes him a handful for defenders, while his penchant to score with his back to goal is something Juventus will have to be wary of.
In this regard, Giorgio Chiellini might struggle against Lukaku, as the Juventus captain does not possess the pace to keep hold of the former Manchester United man.
However, Juventus would bank on Chiellini's experience and Matthijs de Ligt's youthful energy and quality to keep Inter Milan's leading man quiet.
