How Juventus will line up against Inter

After securing a narrow advantage over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League play-off round, Juventus now shift their focus to a crucial Serie A clash against Inter Milan.

However, this high-stakes Derby d’Italia comes at a tricky moment for manager Thiago Motta, as it is sandwiched between the two European fixtures.

Despite the demanding schedule, a complete squad rotation is unlikely. According to IlBianconero, the center back duo of Federico Gatti and Renato Veiga will once again take charge in defense, having developed solid chemistry under pressing circumstances.

The only alternative, Lloyd Kelly, is not expected to start. On the left flank, Nicolo Savona is poised to return to the lineup after recovering from a minor groin issue that kept him out of the PSV clash.

Meanwhile, Andrea Cambiaso remains a potential, though unlikely, starter as he recovers from an ankle injury. On the right side of defense, Timothy Weah has impressed in his adapted full-back role and is expected to retain his place.

The biggest selection headaches for Motta come in midfield. Khephren Thuram is expected to return to the starting XI after being left out of recent lineups. However, the other two midfield slots remain undecided.

Manuel Locatelli holds a slight edge over Douglas Luiz for the deep-lying playmaker role, while Weston McKennie is a candidate for the attacking-midfield position, potentially at the expense of Teun Koopmeiners.

On the wings, Samuel Mbangula and Nico Gonzalez are likely to start, which could leave Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz on the bench. Up front, Randal Kolo Muani appears to be the preferred striker for this encounter, meaning Dusan Vlahovic may have to settle for a substitute role.

Goalkeeper: Di Gregorio
Defenders: Weah, Gatti, Veiga, Savona
Midfielders: Locatelli, Thuram
Attacking Midfielders: Gonzalez, McKennie, Mbangula
Forward: Kolo Muani

As Juventus prepare for a fierce battle against Inter, Motta’s tactical adjustments could be the key to securing a vital victory while also managing player fatigue ahead of the decisive second leg against PSV.