Game Time Thread: Juventus vs. Inter Milan

Following the Fiorentina loss, Juventus was facing a double-digit deficit in Serie A and their Scudetto credentials were about as much in question as ever before during this current title-winning run. AC Milan were looking quite the solid leader atop the table, with city rivals Inter closely behind and head-to-head clubs against the two of them still ahead on the schedule.

Juventus’ first trip to Milan was a success as they beat the Serie A leaders to get back into the single digits and reintroduce themselves to the Scudetto race. Now it’s time to face the black and blue side of Milan, one that has an old buddy trying to get his first win over the side that he helped rebuild into the club it is today. A win tonight in the Derby d’Italia and that lead, which all of a few weeks ago was standing at 10 points, can be cut down to four with Milan playing on Monday night. (Weird that they played their Coppa Italia fixture the day before Juventus and then get to play the day after Juventus, but who am I to totally understand the Italian schedule makers at this point.)

Chip away.

Just chip away and let there be a little help along the way.

This game would have been a tough one even if the squad was close to full strength. But throw in the fact that Juve’s missing three of its starting defenders and a couple other important pieces and the task becomes that much tougher. Sure, Inter aren’t at full strength and are coming off two disappointing results of their own — which, for an Antonio Conte-coached team could only mean screaming and hammering of tactics at training — so it’s not like they’re riding high into this game.

Juventus, albeit with some flaws, have yet to lose AND haven’t dropped points in 2021. That’s good, and that’s certainly what’s needed knowing the situation they find themselves in domestically. And it will have to stay the case since Milan haven’t showed signs of completely slowing down just yet.

So today, just like last weekend and the weekend before that, Juventus will need to win they want to keep the deficit in Serie A in single digits at the very least. That would be nice.

MATCH INFO

When: Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021

Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy

Official kickoff time: 8:45 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe; 7:45 p.m. in the United Kingdom; 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time; 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time

STARTING LINEUPS

Juventus starting XI (3-4-1-2/4-4-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Chiellini; Chiesa, Bentancur, Rabiot, Frabotta; Ramsey; Morata, Ronaldo

Juventus bench: Buffon, Pinsoglio, Garofani, Demiral, Di Pardo, Dragusin, Arthur, McKennie, Bernardeschi, Fagioli, Kulusevski, Ranocchia

Inter Milan starting XI (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Vidal, Young; Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez

HOW TO WATCH

Television: RAI Italia North America (United States); RAI Italia North America, TLN (Canada); Premier Sports 1 (United Kingdom); Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Serie A, Sky Sport 251 (Italy)

Online/mobile: ESPN+ (United States); DAZN (Canada); Premier Player HD (United Kingdom); Sky Go Italia (Italy)

Other live viewing options can be found here, and as always, you can also follow along with us live and all the stupid things we say on Twitter. If you haven’t already, join the community on Black & White & Read All Over, and join in the discussion below.