Inter host Juventus at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Coppa Italia tie.
Roberto Mancini’s squad started off the 2015-16 season well, especially in Serie A when they had managed to win nine matches with a 1-0 scoreline. Their form has dropped off in the second half of the season, losing six of their last 10 games.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side are still in fine form despite some recent setbacks. Their 0-0 draw with Bologna in Serie A ended a 15-match winning streak in the league while they drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri enter this match on the back foot after losing the first leg 3-0 in Turin on January 27; Alvaro Morata scored a double and Paulo Dybala added the third for the Bianconeri.
Both teams have just faced each other in Serie A, with Juve winning 2-0 against the Biscione on Sunday night. The only time Inter have not lost to Juventus this season was in Week 8 of Serie A action, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Inter will need to win by at least four goals if they are to reach this year’s Coppa Italia Final. Despite Mancini’s pragmatic approach this season, the Nerazzurri won 4-0 against Frosinone in November last year and also against Udinese in December in Serie A.
The Bianconeri are clearly tougher opponents than those two and they have not conceded four goals since losing 4-2 to Fiorentina in Serie A back in October 2013.
Gary Medel and Alex Telles could be doubts for Inter with a knee and thigh injury respectively and Jeison Murillo and Miranda are unavailable due to suspensions. Murillo was sent-off in the first leg whereas his teammate collected two yellow cards in two Coppa Italia matches.
Juve midfielder Claudio Marchisio will be missing with a thigh injury while a calf injury sustained on the weekend makes Giorgio Chiellini a doubt for this game as well.
Form Guide: Inter (W-D-L-W-L) Juventus (W-W-D-D-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Inter: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Medel, Juan Jesus, Nagatomo; Felipe Melo, Kondogbia; Biabiany, Eder, Ljajic; Icardi
Juventus: Neto; Rugani, Bonucci, Barzagli; Cuadrado, Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Morata, Zaza
