26 January 2016
advantage old lady
Taking into account the fact that Wednesday night’s meeting between Juventus and Inter will be their 226th in all formats of the game, it is easy to understand the hype and expectation behind what is always one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the Italian calendar.
Unsurprisingly then,link-placeholder-0 and the Bianconeri will go into the first leg at Juventus Stadium with a slender advantage of 13 cup wins to nine over their old rivals.
In fact, the ten-time winners have eliminated the Nerazzurri in all three of their previous semi-final clashes going on to win the trophy twice having done so, in 1937/38 and 1982/83.
A repeat of such a feat this evening would make Massimiliano Allegri’s vintage the first to defeat Inter in a cup tie since February 1992 having knocked them out on penalties after a pair of 2-2 draws in 2003/04 before losing to eventual winners Lazio in the final.
Unlike most sides however, the Milan outfit boast an impressive recent record at the home of the reigning champions, and will make the short journey east looking to register a third victory in their last four Coppa clashes in Turin.
That record however is in peculiar contrast to their general away form in the tournament: last week’s victory over Napoli was their first on the road since 2012/13.
Going forwards, going backwards
Not content on tussling solely for the Scudetto this season, both teams were in irresistible form in their respective last 16 and quarter-final matches, scoring ten goals apiece without conceding.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men can go one step further than tomorrow night’s guests in the defensive stat stakes though, having not let a single shot on target reach goalkeeper Neto in the previous two rounds to aid their route to a fourth semi-final appearance in five seasons.
That said, the form book would suggest that there are goals on the cards, in spite of October’s tense 0-0 draw at the San Siro: both teams have hit the target in 12 of the previous 13 last-four encounters to involve Juve while Inter themselves have found the net in seven semi-finals in a row.
What’s more, the previous six Bianconeri-Nerazzurri Coppa Italia meetings have produced a staggering 22 goals, four of which have seen the away side score at least twice.
the men to make it happen
Speaking of goals, Wednesday night’s game will offer the chance to a handful of Bianconeri and Nerazzurri alike to extend their own personal hot streaks, none more so than Paulo Dybala, whose late winner against Roma on Sunday was his 13th in all competitions this term.
The Argentine will have to wait to match the potential statistical gem in Mario Mandzukic’s grasp however, as the ex-Bayern Munich forward requires a single goal tomorrow to become the only Juventus player to score in Serie A, the Champions League, the Italian Super Cup and the Coppa Italia this season.
As for Inter, fellow South American Mauro Icardi will have his sights firmly set on a seventh goal in as many meetings with Juventus; the frontman has already put the ball in the Old Lady’s net more times than that of any other team in Italy’s top flight.
