Juve to oust Inter from Coppa Italia semis and meet Milan in final
Published:
Holly Thackeray | March 1, 2016
Inter Milan v Juventus
- Coppa Italia, semi-final second leg
- Wednesday, March 2nd
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- San Siro, Milan
- Live on Sky Sports 2
Inter out to avenge Old Lady humbling
Roberto Mancini and his Inter Milan men must be sick of the sight of Juventus, as they prepare to play host to the Old Lady for their Coppa Italia semi-final second leg, having jostled with the Turin team just four days prior.
On that Serie A occasion, the Nerazzurri folded to two Juve goals with no reply, but it will be their semi-final first leg 3-0 drubbing back in January that should concern the boys in black and blue stripes.
Can Inter overturn such a striking deficit? Odds of 33/20 with Coral for a triumph in 90 minutes say so, but recent history is stacked against the hosts.
Giants Juventus are unbeaten in their last eight outings against Inter Milan, and have not leaked a goal to Mancini and co in any of their three meetings in league and cup this campaign. So, back the Old Lady at 6/4 for victory, or a terrific 3/1 for another win to nil.
Icardi eyeing Juve inspiration
The hosts have surely had their pride dented by finding themselves toothless up top against the Old Lady, and having somehow slipped 13 Serie A points behind their rivals and effectively out of the Scudetto race, despite a substantial head start.
Inter will be angling to prevent another Coppa catastrophe here, though, and may be best priced at 2/1 to force a draw, rather than overturn Juventus’ streak of six unbeaten at the San Siro.
One lethal card up the Lombardy club’s sleeve, is leading Inter hitman Mauro Icardi. A sensational career stat of six in eight against Juve suggests the Argentine (13/8 in the anytime market) will test Gianluigi Buffon’s net again.
The feisty frontman managed two versus the Old Lady last term and recently capped off a 3-1 sinking of Sampdoria with a superb solo effort, making the marksman the most likely to end Inter’s Juve drought.
While, fellow forward Eder Citadin Martins (23/10) has actually notched one more than Icardi in the Serie A standings, with 12 strikes to his name for former side Samp. Yet, the striker has not found the net in six for his new club, but ending that dry run here would certainly be a statement.
Turin travellers firepower ferocious
With a 3-0 cushion, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri may be tempted to rest a few stars following a heroic effort to draw away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Though, the former AC Milan tactician will be wary of missing the chance of facing his old club in the final, as the Rossoneri already have one foot in the showpiece finale following a 1-0 defeat of Piedmont club Alessandria.
Reigning champions Juve are obvious favourites to retain their title, with promising poachers Paulo Dybala (a superb 6/4 to strike anytime) and Alvaro Morata both in fine form.
Spanish sharpshooter Morata (13/2 to nab the opener) has been revived recently, and has struck three in his last two against the Nerazzurri. While, Juve’s own inspirational Argentine, Dybala, has been justly attracting attention with dazzling and deadly displays.
Though, it could well be the midfield battle which wins it for the Old Lady, as Premier League target Paul Pogba and recent super sub Stefano Sturaro (14/1 to fire in last) are hardly goal shy either, making this Juventus visit dauting for the Nerazzurri.
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Coral’s top tip: Juve at 6/4 to win in 90 minutes is a superb price, pounce on it!
