Inter´s Inzaghi talks up Juve hopes ahead of Derby d´Italia

Inter strolled to the Serie A title last season but Simone Inzaghi anticipates a much tighter Scudetto battle this time, with upcoming opponents Juventus likely to be involved.

Inzaghi’s side finished 19 points clear of their closest rivals Milan in 2023-24, but they are currently two points behind leaders Napoli after eight matches.

They sit one clear of Derby d’Italia rivals Juve – who are the only unbeaten team remaining in the Italian top flight – ahead of Sunday’s head-to-head clash at San Siro.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Inzaghi refuted the suggestion his team are clear title favourites, saying: “I don’t like to talk much about favourites and things like that.

“This year it will be a more balanced championship than usual; many teams have spent a lot to close the gap that had been created.

“Juventus are the best team in Europe in terms of goals conceded, they have an excellent coach who I really like and they have invested a lot. They will remain protagonists throughout the year.”

While Juve coach Thiago Motta and Napoli’s Antonio Conte have both played down their own chances of title success, Inzaghi’s past success does not allow him that luxury.

“I don’t know if it’s a strategy or something else, I can only speak for myself,” Inzaghi said.

“We know that we start from the beginning of the season with clear goals, to play as many games as possible to ensure that we get as far as possible in the cups and try to be competitive in the league.”

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Inter enter Sunday’s match with selection issues. Defender Francesco Acerbi is still out with a thigh injury sustained in the last league game, a 1-0 win at Roma, and midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu also went off injured in that match.

Kristjan Asllani could be in line to replace Calhanoglu, if he can recover from his own injury which has kept him out of Inter’s last two games.

“We know what Calhanoglu represents for us, he is a world-class player. His natural replacement is Asllani, if he gives me the right guarantees he will play,” Inzaghi said.

“He is a player who has improved a lot over the years, his misfortune is having Hakan ahead of him.

“Unfortunately he had a problem before Roma. Yesterday he had his first training session which didn’t go badly and we will need to evaluate.

“In the same role we also have [Nicolo] Barella and [Piotr] Zielinski; I will carry this doubt until tomorrow evening.”