As the pivotal Derby d’Italia approaches, Juventus has received a significant boost with the return of midfielder Weston McKennie to full training, positioning him for a likely role in the upcoming clash against Inter. In a parallel development, the club’s captain, Manuel Locatelli, is scheduled to undertake pre-match media duties, setting the stage for the high-stakes encounter.
The context for this fixture is underscored by Inter‘s formidable position, reportedly holding a 12-point advantage at the summit of the table, with the hosting side also anticipating record-breaking matchday revenue. The significance of the match is further amplified by commentary from former manager Fabio Capello, who, while declaring the Scudetto race remains open, issued a caution to both Inter and Juventus to remain vigilant of the challenges posed by AC Milan and AS Roma.
Transfer Market Movements and Scouting Interests
Beyond the immediate pitch battles, the two Italian giants appear to be on a collision course in the transfer arena. Journalistic reports indicate a shared interest in several players, including Lille defender Zeki Celik, Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie, and Tottenham Hotspur’s goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Juventus‘s own recruitment strategy extends to monitoring Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic, with their planning intricately linked to the crucial variable of Champions League qualification for the next season.
Adding an international dimension to the speculation, English powerhouse Manchester United is preparing to dispatch scouts to observe defensive talents from both clubs. Their focus will be on Juventus‘s versatile Pierre Kalulu—a player deployed both at right-back and centre-back under manager Luciano Spalletti—and Inter‘s influential wing-back Federico Dimarco.
In a related assessment of squad quality, Corriere dello Sport has identified three Juventus players deemed worthy of a starting spot in Inter‘s current lineup: stalwart defender Gleison Bremer, promising midfielder Khephren Thuram, and the emerging talent Kenan Yildiz.