Serie A: It’s Derby D’Italia Time

Juventus vs Inter Milan

We’re about to go three games into the new Serie A campaign, and already we have a blockbuster clash this Saturday when Juventus host Inter Milan in Turin.

Wins over Parma and Genoa have given Igor Tudor’s Juventus a perfect start, and they are one of four teams at the top of the Serie A table on six points, along with Napoli, Cremonese, and Roma.

Meanwhile, after Inter Milan blasted Torino away with a 5-0 hammering in their season opener, they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Udinese, and another defeat on Saturday would certainly make it a poor start for Cristian Chivu in the Nerazzurri hot seat.

Talking Points

Fast start for Vlahovic

Juventus hotshot Dusan Vlahovic has been the subject of transfer speculations for much of the summer. The 25-year-old Serb remains one of Europe’s best strikers and is still approaching the peak of his powers. With 45 goals in 106 games for Juventus, he has an impressive return, but has not always received the plaudits his stats deserve.

Inter Milan are certainly interested in Vlahovic, and the news in Italy this week reported they would consider selling one of their own stars, maybe France striker Marcus Thuram, to make room. But Chivu’s first task is to stop Vlahovic on Saturday night. He has scored twice already this season, bagging the second in a 2-0 win over Parma on matchday 1, and then he scored the only goal of the game in the victory over Genoa.

As well as holding on to Vlahovic, the Old Lady had a successful transfer window on the whole, bringing in English defender Lloyd Kelly and strikers Jonathan David and Francisco Conceicao. But the Portuguese star is a doubt for Saturday’s game after he pulled out of the Selecao squad last week. And that means Lois Openda, on loan from RB Leipzig, could make a start.

Akanji set for Inter start

After Inter’s pre-break disappointment against Udinese, the Serie A 2025 news in Milan reports that Chivu is considering handing out a couple of debuts in the Derby D’Italia, notably deadline day signing Manuel Akanji. The 30-year-old Switzerland star is a Rolls-Royce of a player, a strong defender with superb anticipation, but with the skill set of a midfield ball player, able to see a chance to turn defence into attack. Much admired at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, Akanji can be a real asset to I Nerazzuri, and Chivu will be keen to introduce him without delay.

Inter's deadline-day coup Manuel Akanji eyes Serie A bow against Juventus — Manuel Akanji is poised for a potential Serie A debut in Turin showdown

There could also be a start for Ange-Yoan Bonny, who has been reunited with his former Parma boss Chivu. The 21-year-old French star played 111 games for Parma and, having switched to Inter in a €25 million move, he comes with high hopes of playing a big part in I Nerazzurri’s title assault.

If Chivu opts for a 3-4-2-1 with skipper Lautaro Martinez leading the line, then Bonny could sit in the two just behind, maybe alongside Thuram. There is a slight doubt around Martinez, as he will only return from international duty on Friday, so the Inter physio guys will examine their Argentine star to check he is ready to lead the attack.

I Nerazzurri certainly need to rediscover their killer instinct. After blowing Torino away on the opening day, they were severely blunted by Udinese. After Denzel Dumfries gave Inter an early lead, the visitors fought back to win 2-1. While Chivu’s men had 16 shots to 10, Udinese had more on target. So Inter fans will hope Martinez is fit and firing and has his sights clearly set on the Juve goal.

History

The Serie A 2025 betting odds make Inter Milan and Juventus the second and third favourites to win the Scudetto, with reigning champions Napoli the club to beat. Juve are 36-time Italian champions, the last occasion in 2020, while I Nerazzurri won their 20^th Serie A title in 2024.

Over the last 10 meetings, Inter have won four, Juventus have won three, and there have been three draws. The Old Lady won this fixture 1-0 last season after the two teams played out a 4-4 draw in Milan earlier in the campaign.

I Bianconeri’s early-season form is the stronger of the two, winning all four of their games over the past month, while Inter have won two, drawn one and lost one.