JUVE-INTER: BEAUTIFUL
The super match for the Scudetto in Turin at 20:45 CET.
Conte has a great midfield and the style of play.
Strama has his strikers in a formidable attack and also a dilemma: contain Pirlo with the 3-5-2 or intimidate with the trident?
The key duel is Pirlo-Cambiasso.
The super game is a tactical puzzle. Juve have the midfield while Inter have the defense and attack. Conte has created a core of strength with the line of Vidal, Pirlo and Marchisio. Bonucci also contributes to the build up of the attack. The strikers create spaces for others. Inter, on the other hand, are often without a central body: half team attacks, half defends. The midfield protects the defense and covers for the strikers and thus it is reduced in terms of creative contribution. Juve are inspired by the modern Barcelona for its unique midfield. Inter will rely on its award winning counterattack (Herrara and Mourinho) with Stramaccioni at crossroads: 3-5-2 to mirror the rival like he likes it (this is the most likely option) or the trident of wonders?
DEFENSE – Bonucci, playmaker. Samuel, bunker away from home.
Juve will press, look to create errors and intercept many passes. While Inter will wait, attack and apply great force. The numbers certify that Juve have recovered 52.20 balls per game while Inter are at 36.30. In other words, Juve will be the first to put the opponent’s defense at risk with Inter will likely to put out a barricade with only midfielders and defenders. Juventus have allowed four goals less than Inter (5 against 9). This gap is due to early sufferings against Siena and Roma. However, in away matches, Inter defended better than Juve. The Nerazzurri have only allowed 1 away goal and Juve are at 3.
One interesting statistic of the two central defenders in Bonucci and Samuel. The Juventus defender in the last round against Bologna made 34 passes over the halfway line, only nine for Samuel. In terms of long passes, Bonucci (at 98), is only second to Pirlo (114). The number one of Inter for these long tosses is Gargano (62), 36 less than Bonucci. The Nerazzurri defenders have compensated with goals: 2 (Samuel and Ranocchia) while Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini have not yet to score in Serie A.
MIDFIELD – Here, the Lady has it all. Nerazzurri lack quality.
Here, the balance starts to lean in favor of one side. The midfield is the realm of Juve. The midfield of Juventus is responsible for 11 goals (Pirlo 3, Vidal 3, Pogba 2, Marchisio 1, Giaccherini 1 and Asamoah 1). Inter are with three goals from Sneijder, Cambiasso and Guarin. The entire Nerazzurri midfield is Pirlo’s. However, it is not just a matter of goals because what matters most here is creating for others.
Through passes: Vidal (6), Pirlo (10), Marchisio (3) have 19 total through passes. Between the Inter midfielders, only Cambiasso (3) and Gargano (2) have made more than one. Opportunities created: the first three of Juve are Pirlo (28), Asamoah (15) and Giaccherini (15) and 10 other chances created by other midfielders. Inter have only two: Sneijder (14) and Cambiasso (13). Wings: Juve have four wingers with at least 20 crosses (Lichtsteiner 20, Caceres 20, De Ceglie 21, Asamoah 24); only Pereira (27) for Inter. Assists: Asamoah (3), Pirlo (2) and Giaccherini (2); Inter have only one midfielder in Cambiasso (3) that has more than one assist. So what will Stramaccioni do? A 3-5-2 by sacrificing Cassano on the bench. Or risk it with a trident or a 3-4-1-2 with Palacio continuously pressing on Pirlo with the help of the midfield.
ATTACK – Two shots are enough for Milito. Vucinic needs six.
Here, however, Inter have the best numbers. Cassano (5), Milito (5) and Palacio (2) have already scored 12 goals. If Conte counts all of his five attackers (Giovinco 3, Quagliarella 3, Vucinic 2, Matri 1 and Bendtner 0), he would only have 9. After 10 matches, the entire attack has not yet reached double digit is a pathology. More interesting is the fact that Quagliarella (13), Vucinic (13) and Giovinco (11) have shot more than Milito (11), Cassano (6) and Palacio (4). The problem is there because Cassano only needs 1.2 shots to score a goal, two for Palacio and 2.2 for Milito while 6.5 shots for Vucinic to score a goal, 4.3 for Qualiarella and 3.7 for Giovinco. Conte’s performers squander chances; Strama’s are lethal.
The merit of Inter attack is also doubled due to the amount of assists that each striker has. Milito and Cassano, together with Cambiasso, have three assists each, Palacio follows with two. In summary: Palacio, Milito and Cassano have racked up 12 goals and 8 assists. Scoring and assisting. From being consumers to suppliers. The team defends and thinks about these three players to build, score, and celebrate. And because this attacking trident is such a huge part of Inter, Stramaccioni will think long and hard before making any sacrifices. The temptation to throw it in against the Old Lady at the start is great.
THE DUEL – Pirlo-Cambiasso is the key.
As if he fell in a pool and came out years younger, Esteban Cambiasso has scored a goal, three assists and created 13 chances in these eight straight wins that Inter are enjoying. He has strength, gives order and makes important runs into the box. Pirlo-Cambiasso is the key of the match. Pirlo will try to make the Inter defense suffer like Marchisio has done in the past. Cambiasso will be the trampoline for all the counterattacking opportunities. In terms of passing accuracy, these two players are very close to one another with Pirlo at 86.6% and Cambiasso at 85.1%. The Italian almost doubles the Argentinian in terms of passes per game (78.89 against 41.50).
However, if we talk about the degree of impact on the performance of the team, then the duel is Pirlo-Cassano. If Pirlo leads Juventus in chances created (28), Cassano is the same at Inter with 27. Antonio is doing better than Andrea in these categories: through balls (14-10), assists (3-2) and goals (5-3). So now, do you understand how painful would Stramaccioni be if he decided to sacrifice Cassano? So perhaps it’s Pirlo vs. Cassano then. Pirlo against the ancient past of Inter full of misunderstandings. Cassano against “the soldiers of Juventus.” This will be the duel, sooner or later.