The Derby d'Italia Juventus vs. Inter Milan: Match Preview

I would say that the rivalry between the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri is even bigger than the one between the two Milanese teams. And that's why every year when these two teams face each other, regardless of the competition or the placement, there is always a lot of buzz for the event and the expectations that it will be a very exciting match are always high.

There are many reasons why this match is of particular relevance for the Nerazzurri:

1. The heated rivalry with Juventus, which also are one of the best team in Europe lately in terms of results. They enter this match having drawn their last two, but their most recent one came against Bayern Munich, so it counts as a very good result nonetheless.
2. The necessity of earning three points to avoid the possibility of losing ground from the other teams which are battling for the same target as Inter: the third place. It becomes even more important now that Fiorentina are out of the Europa League and Roma have one foot out of the Champions League after losing 2-0 against Real Madrid.
3. Being able to finally winning twice in a row. The last time Inter came home with three points in two consecutive matches was December 12th.
4. Winning is always a good thing. A very good one indeed.

It's always hard to stay positive when you are an Inter supporter, especially if you are following this club from a long time. We have boring decades of burning disappointments just to experience few years of pure joy and dominance, and despite that, our love is still untouched. Anyway, every week, when news about Inter's next match came out most of us can only think that it will be another failure for our beloved team. 

Cosmic pessimism aside, I don't think it would be just as easy as it was in the Coppa Italia for Juve this time. They come into this match more tired than the Nerazzurri and some key players injured like Asamoah, Caceres and Marchisio. The last one, who only played the first 45 minute against Bayern will probably be replaced by the same guy who took his place in the Champions League: Hernanes. Our old friend played a pretty good match against the Germans, so he may have built a little bit of confidence with that performance, but Inter know his inconstancy and should try to take advantage of his flaws.

The battle with our Bianconeri enemies doesn't end this Sunday though. In fact Inter will play against them again next week, on Wednesday, in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals, when they will try to perform an extremely difficult comeback after having lost 3-0 in the first encounter.

(Supposed) Starting XIs:

Juventus: Buffon: Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Khedira, Hernanes, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Mandzukic, Dybala.

Inter: Handanovic; Miranda, Murillo, Juan Jesus; D'Ambrosio, Felipe Melo, Medel, Kondogbia, Telles; Icardi, Palacio.

Carla Suarez, champion in Doha

Carla Suarez gives the big jump in Doha, the most valuable radiant triumph of his career. Canary completed in the desert a wonderful week and in the end has slowed the momentum of Jelena Ostapenko , a girl of 18 years with a tremendous journey. Suarez, on a Saturday in contrast, has been imposed by 1-6 6-4 6-4 and is already in the cream of women 's tennis, number six and up.

In the prologue, the Spanish was unable to shake favoritism. In a jiffy, his enemy overpowered him with an amazing variety , capable of connecting with left hammer great. Punished for his tremors, Suarez assumed should wait for the storm to pass Ostapenko.

Go ahead that Latvia is a player who will war , very deserving their way in Doha and it has accumulated victories level. However, it seemed direct the title in the second set, but the experience weighs in tennis and Suarez offered a dose of patience and faith unpayable. It matured the match and took him to the third set when it seemed doomed.

And even there he was reborn when the thing was twisted. Ostapenko started the third set with a break for it , but the canary gave flip the script and went 0-2 against the 4-2. With tailwind, I knew how to handle the advantage masterfully and was enough to move his Jovene opponent to finish raising his arms. Carla Suarez, an example of work and improvement, is already among the best, among the best really.

Next year there will be changes, including coach

Zidane and Simeone clashed as technicians for the first time. The Argentine is the best coach in the history of Atletico, beating the records of the Grand Radomir Antic, and French began a career in the dugout at the highest level.Today, Atletico reimposed Real Madrid and preparer of Real Madrid, to the disappointment of the president. In the last ten derbies has won five, has equal four, and lost in the Champions League, 1-0, last year.

The coaches spoke clearly. Zidane took the team gala and his pupils betrayed him in the field. They did not planned. It has already happened too many times . So he used Borja Mayoral, Luke and Jesse : "It was a physical thing and especially mentally. I spoke one thing with the team and players made ​​another. When the opponent comes from the Champions on Wednesday you have to outrun him and not let him get into the game. When the opponent is second in the standings, you have to do more than he did .And we let him enter the derby. I did not expect this. It 's fucking lose a derby. "

The French wanted to sentence first league, make it clear that in the future there will be changes, and stress that now it lift the squad for the League and to attack with faith the challenge of Champions: "Before the question I anticipate. La Liga it is finished. But now I have dialogued with the wardrobe and we must continue to address the next convinced league games, first against Levante on Wednesday and then think about the Celtic and the Champions League. We have to win every game, not just focus on the European Cup. That said, next year there will be changes, make clear that, even coach, I do not know. But now we must think in taking forward the league and the European Cup. "

Simeone stressed the keys of mourning and the reaction of his men after a few games in which they missed the goal: "We made ​​a game plan.We won well and deserved a goal. I figured this kind of confrontation. We put pride, passion and once again Atletico fans will be proud of their players. "

He praised the return of Griezmann to success: "Scored and we had todo some much more. After the first twenty minutes we began to settle in the field and made ​​a great game."

He praised Augusto: " Augusto Gabi and both lungs were tremendous.Saul heart. Griezmann showed great character. Fernando showed the desire to pursue impossible balls. Juanfran and Filipe Luis were excellent. "

He reflected on this victory, a Chamartin: " We naturally win at the Bernabeu. I can not explain what they feel the players to come and play here."

If everyone was to my level we would go first

Cristiano Ronaldo has not digested well defeat against neighbours Atletico Madrid and has not bitten his tongue in the mixed zone Bernabeu after the dispute derby. The Luso has been advocated by criticism of its performance and has hidden behind several holders absences to justify poor performance of the team , third in the league.

" Every year , according to the press seems I'm in the shit , but the numbers and statistics do not lie , " has defended Cristiano, who added a somewhat surprising statement considering his recent performances: " If everyone had my level . We would be the first . "

The Portuguese believes that injuries and consequent casualties are hurting the team, but wanted to point out that this was not belittling those who have played in place of the injured , "I do not mean that Jese, Luke, who Kovacic are not good, they are very good but in Karim, Pepe or Bale is more complicated. In addition, the pre - season travel in July was not the best for the team. Many things you have to think to analyze what happens. "

"I am excited for the Champions League, but in the Champions League if you do not have the best do not win , " he acknowledged, before giving its peculiar version of the match: "We had more chances and deserved to win.The League was already complicated and it gets harder. "

Cristiano Ronaldo shoots discretion

Portuguese criticises the preseason, says the medical team and says that despite everything, "Zidane are better than before"

Cristiano Ronaldo criticizes its excessive verbal leaving a bias arrogance not like Zidane or the Madrid dressing room . "If all (his companions) were at my level we would the first in the league maybe." They were words to fend off criticism of his performance. Ramos threw a cloak later, but the fire was unstoppable after the derby . These demonstrations, product of a heater ( "the Spanish press always attacks me") left in second position other much deeper and harsh reflections. The striker fired the organization of the preseason, Dr. Olmo, the lower level of the substitutes and accusations against the team. These were his shots.

Pre-campaign travel

Ronaldo assessed after the defeat in the derby that the situation was worrisome Real Madrid long before this match, due to low and poor planning of the preseason. Straight to the point. " I do not know if many injuries are bad luck or poor initial management, but we hurt a lot and now we are paying the bill." A few weeks ago he said that "the preseason with many trips it is not best to prepare for a season."

Reviews Dr. Olmo and medical staff

In the opinion on the pre - campaign and launched an attack against the medical staff, a charge also made ​​by other players, with Ramos to mind: "There are many injuries and win a long competition think a team needs the best ."

Disparagement alternate

The Portuguese said that in his analysis did not despise anyone, but inadvertently has done: "All the Real Madrid players are good, but we missed Benzema, Bale, Pepe and Marcelo . I like to play with them. When not, it is more difficult. Without underestimating anyone. "

The team is not so bad

Christian argued that " the team is better than it was " a clear defence Zidane and a veiled criticism Benitez: "" Real Madrid is not so bad. Atletico Madrid has not exceeded. He took a chance and took it and we had several and did not score. That was the difference. The league is lost and the Champions us is. We are motivated and we will go for it. "

The unprecedented explosion of Lacen

The Getafe player Mehdi Lacen has made ​​some harsh statements after the match that his team lost 4-0 against UD Las Palmas in Gran Canaria to indicate microphones Movistar Plus: "We are a shit team, we will second head " .

The French-Algerian midfielder all Madrid starred in the play of the second locally by intercepting hands a shot Jonathan Viera, representing the penalty that turned the player grancanario team result with which it came to rest.

Meanwhile, his partner Pablo Sarabia Getafe acknowledged that "is touched in a difficult situation , " but the template must be united, "because there issurplus equipment to save, but you have to start and win ."

Getafe conceded their seventh straight defeat in La Liga , and in the last six games has failed to score a single goal. The last was scored by Moi Gómez in the visit to Granada (3-2), so they are already accumulating 566 minutes on the computer without puncturing the opposite goal.