Serie A - Derby of Italy

godtabh

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho and Juventus counterpart Claudio Ranieri clash for real on Saturday after a number of verbal spats between the former Chelsea bosses.

The pair are far from being best of friends given their recent past, differing styles and their clubs' Serie A rivalry.

Ranieri built up a decent Chelsea side only to be sacked in 2004 and watch Mourinho take over and lead the London club to two Premier League titles.

The debate about how much credit each man deserved for Chelsea's success rumbles on and almost as soon as Mourinho arrived at champions Inter in June, a personal feud began.

The charasmatic and direct Mourinho constrasts markedly with the avuncular and calm Ranieri. The Portuguese has criticised Ranieri's knowledge of English and accused the 57-year-old of being too long in the tooth among other jibes.

Ranieri has mixed views about his rival.

"I don't like it how he creates controversies," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I like the fact all players say good things about him - it shows he has a good relationship."

The long rivalry between the clubs, who have consistently battled against each other for the Italian title, is just as intense and if not more so than the Milan city derby. Inter versus Turin-based Juventus is called the "Derby of Italy".

"The rivalry with Juventus is older, more traditional and linked to scudettos. Instead the rivalry with AC Milan is because we are from the same city," Inter president Massimo Moratti told reporters.

Anomisity between the clubs worsened in 2006 when Juve were stripped of the title and demoted in a match-fixing scandal, leaving Inter to be awarded the championship in a court room.

If that did not anger Juve fans enough, Inter signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira from the then-Serie B club.

Saturday's match at the San Siro is given extra spice because third-placed Juve, on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions, can move level with the leaders with a win.

Injured midfielder Christian Poulsen is doubtful for the visitors while Inter have centre back Ivan Cordoba suspended. Ibrahimovic was rested for Sweden's friendly in Netherlands on Wednesday to leave him fresh for the big encounter.

The cities of Milan and Turin clash twice over the weekend with AC Milan, a point behind Inter in second, visiting Torino in Sunday's late game.

Lazio, beaten 1-0 by struggling AS Roma in last weekend's Rome derby, look to recover at home to attack-minded Genoa in Sunday's main programme of matches.

Saturday, November 22, 2008
Time Home Away VENUE
17:00 UK Fiorentina v Udinese Artemio Franchi
19:30 UK Inter Milan v Juventus Giuseppe Meazza
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Time Home Away VENUE
14:00 UK Bologna v Palermo Renato Dall'Ara
14:00 UK Chievo Verona v Siena Stadio Marc`Antonio Bentegodi
14:00 UK Lazio v Genoa Olimpico
14:00 UK Lecce v Roma Stadio Via del Mare
14:00 UK Napoli v Cagliari San Paolo
14:00 UK Reggina v Atalanta Stadio Oreste Granillo
14:00 UK Sampdoria v Catania Calcio Comunale Luigi Ferraris
19:30 UK Torino v AC Milan Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino

Big game this week. The press are having a field day becasue of the two managers. Dont really give a toss about that really. Inter need a good win here. Doenst matter if its 1-0 or 2-0 as long as its a good solid display which has been lacking in some games lately.

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV

i know the match is in the San Siro but i still think Juve can win because they are doing great right now! and they are probably very hungry for the win!

prediction :
3-2 to juve! Del piero involved in 2 of the goals ^^

Mr. Presentable

If the multi million squad of Inter can't comprehensively beat the free transfer and veteran Juventus they should be ashamed.

This should be 3 - 0 for Inter.

But it won't. Juventus have heart and a team ethic that has never been at Inter. I smell a 1-1 draw or a 0-1 for Juventus.

redout

nipplenuts wrote: »

If the multi million squad of Inter can't comprehensively beat the free transfer and veteran Juventus they should be ashamed.

This should be 3 - 0 for Inter.

But it won't. Juventus have heart and a team ethic that has never been at Inter. I smell a 1-1 draw or a 0-1 for Juventus.

They beat Real Madrids multi-million pound squad back to back last month. Del Piero is still a potent threat, last season he got 20 odd goals. Hope they stick it to Mourinho.

redout

Inter dominated that first half. What is up with that crazy camera flying about ?

Mr. Presentable

The spider camera!

redout

Muntari.... and that camera is just plain cool. I want, I want. Wonder if anyone has ever smacked one with the ball.

godtabh

Italian champions Inter increased their lead at the top of the table ahead of Sunday's fixtures with a 1-0 victory over traditional rivals Juventus in front of over 76,000 fans at the Giuseppe Meazza.

From Inter.it