Inter face Juve in crunch tie

Defiant Inter Milan host champions Juventus for their first major home game of the season while Serie A leaders Napoli look to tighten their grip against visitors Atalanta. AC Milan, the only major team in Italy’s top flight to drop points so far, visit Torino in Saturday’s other fixture hoping the recent signing of Brazilian Kaka pays dividends.

Three years after an historic treble of league, Cup and Champions League trophies, Inter finished a lowly ninth last season and are desperate to make amends under new coach Walter Mazzarri.  So far, they have recorded comparatively easy wins over Genoa and Catania and Juventus ‘keeper Gianluigi Buffon believes Inter’s absence from Cup or European competition makes them bona fide title challengers. “We have great respect for Inter,” said Buffon, who collected a record-equalling 136th cap for Italy in a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in midweek. 

“They’re a strong team who want to show what they can do, they have one of the best coaches in the business and players who, when they’re on their game, should be highly respected.  Ahead of the ‘Derby d’Italia’, Juventus wing-back Stephan Lichsteiner backed Inter’s title credentials but says Juve have no intention of sitting back.  “We know Inter will be fired up and determined, but so are we,” said the Swiss international. A win or draw would put Inter top ahead of Saturday’s late games.