As Serie A action heats up, Inter Milan and Juventus are rekindling an age-old title rivalry, emerging as Italy's most widely supported clubs, and sitting atop the league with perfect 12-point records.
Inter currently hold a two-point advantage over second-placed Juventus, setting the stage for an intense week of football.
Inter's recent triumph against local rivals AC Milan and their impressive draw against Real Sociedad in the Champions League opener have put them in pole position. Many fans see them as early favorites to reclaim the league crown they last held two years ago, a title that some believe should have been theirs in 2022.
In a twist of fate, Inter's closest challengers are now Juventus, their traditional arch-rivals, rather than reigning champions Napoli or third-placed AC Milan.
Empoli, currently at the bottom of the Serie A table and goalless, seem unlikely to pose a significant challenge to Inter. The team, now under the guidance of Aurelio Andreazzoli after Paolo Zanetti's departure following a 7-0 loss to Roma, will likely face a formidable Inter lineup. Coach Simone Inzaghi is expected to field a team similar to the one that secured victory in the derby.
Juventus, on the other hand, face Sassuolo on Saturday and then another midweek fixture against Lecce. Despite being banned from European competition this season, Juventus is poised to capitalise on a lighter schedule compared to their Serie A counterparts. Massimiliano Allegri, their coach, will have to contend with the absence of Alex Sandro due to a hamstring injury, but he may welcome the relief of not juggling Conference League commitments.
With an overall positive start to the season, Juventus is seen as a strong contender for their first Scudetto in four years.
Napoli faces a challenging away game against Bologna on Sunday, aiming to close the gap on the league leaders. Rudi Garcia's Napoli team sits in fifth place, five points adrift of the top spot. While the transition from title-winning coach Luciano Spalletti has posed challenges, late comebacks and a last-minute victory against Sporting Braga in the Champions League signal the team's resilience.
Player to Watch: Davide Frattesi
Davide Frattesi, the 23-year-old Italy midfielder, is set to make a significant impact for Inter Milan. Already a fan favorite, Frattesi made headlines for his on-field antics against Milan players and his late goal in the derby. His energetic and spirited performances, both as a substitute at the San Siro and in San Sebastian, have endeared him to Inter fans. Frattesi's contributions, including setting up Lautaro Martinez's strike against Real Sociedad, could play a vital role in Inter's pursuit of glory.
