Juventus vs Inter Milan preview - Llorent primed for Inter clash

Posted Saturday, February 01, 2014 by PA

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente is looking forward to playing his first ever derby d'Italia and described Sunday's match against Inter Milan as "special."

The Serie A leaders play Inter at a sold out Juventus stadium in what will be the Spain international's debut in the famous fixture.

"My team-mates have spoken to me about Inter and the derby d'Italia," Llorente said to Juventus.it.

"I know it's a special game that has a lot of meaning for both teams.

"This will be the first time I face Inter and I'm really looking forward to the game.

"We have been working very hard and we want to win."

Juve go into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw at Lazio that saw their 12-game winning run in Serie A halted.

That result which saw their lead at the top of the standings cut to six points, followed their 1-0 defeat at Roma in the Coppa Italia.

"It's crucial to return to winning ways after our setbacks against Lazio and Roma," Llorente said.

"We cannot relax because we know Roma are behind us in the standings and ready to take advantage if we slip."

Juve, coached by Antonio Conte, have won all of their home games so far and take on an Inter side that has struggled to find any consistency this season.

The Nerazzurri have clinched just one win in their previous nine league games and drew 0-0 against bottom-side Catania in the last round.

"We are going through a difficult time," Inter coach Walter Mazzarri said. "We must find the right solutions because right now we are not comfortable up front.

"There is still time to turn things around and we all believe it can be done."

Inter are fifth in the standings and anything but a win in Turin could see them drop down the table with closest rivals Torino, Parma and Hellas Verona just one point behind them.

Lack of goalscoring has been Inter's main problem, with Mazzarri's men having found the back of the net just two times in their last six games.

Ricky Alvarez will play alongside Rodrigo Palacio in Inter's attack.

The hosts will be without captain Gianluigi Buffon, who must serve a one-match ban.Marco Storari will replace Buffon in goal.

Juve welcome back defender Giorgio Chiellini from suspension.