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5 key matchups for the first Derby d’Italia of the year

By John Vaccaro

MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 26: Ivan Perisic #44 of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 26, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani - Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 26: Ivan Perisic #44 of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 26, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani - Inter/Inter via Getty Images) /
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Rodrigo Bentancur of Juventus celebrates scoring first goal during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Juventus at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy on 1 December 2018. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rodrigo Bentancur of Juventus celebrates scoring first goal during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Juventus at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy on 1 December 2018. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

The 239th Derby d’Italia is upon us as Juventus will take on Inter Milan in Torino on Friday.

This matchup has the potential to be a major turning point in the Serie A season. If Juve wins then it will be very difficult for anybody to catch them this year as they would be at least 8 points ahead of the rest of the league, having already beaten the teams in 2nd through 5th. At that point the idea of Juve heading into the winter break with a single draw as the only blemish on their record would become a real possibility. If Inter wins then it breaks the race for the Scudetto wide open. they would be back within 8 points of Juve and would give Napoli a chance to get as close as 5 points. At that point a Juve stumble opening the door for their rivals at the top of the table becomes much more realistic.

It’s an odd time for both of these teams are they are each dealing with some major injuries heading into this match. Juve’s midfield has been depleted, leaving only 3 healthy midfielders available and now they could also be missing Alex Sandro. Inter’s injury woes will arguably have a bigger impact on their chances as they recently lost Radja Nainggolan, who has been an important piece of their midfield when he has been healthy.

These injuries leave 5 major matchups that could decide the outcome of the match. One should determine which team will be able to control the middle of the field and build their attack through controlled possession. The other 4 will all determine just what kind of threat those attacks will be able to create with that possession.

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