Inter Milan vs Juventus preview - Mancini ready for tough clash

Posted Friday, May 15, 2015 by PA

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini expects a very difficult game against Juventus in Saturday's derby d'Italia despite the Serie A champions resting their top players at the San Siro.

Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri has left captain Gianluigi Buffon, defender Patrice Evra, midfielders Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo as well as Serie A's top scorer Carlos Tevez in Turin.

All five players started in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Real Madrid, a result that allowed Juve to progress 3-2 on aggregate to their first Champions League final in 12 years.

The Turin giants, who clinched the Scudetto last month, will take on Barcelona in a title decider in Berlin on June 6.

"The game against Juventus will not be easy because they are riding a wave of enthusiasm," Mancini said to the Italian press on Friday. "Even the bench players will give their all to prove their value.

"Juve has deserved the Scudetto and I congratulate them for reaching the Champions League final.

"Whoever play for Juve tomorrow will be rested and I expect a tough game."

Inter, who won the European final in 2010, have endured a difficult 2014-15 campaign but are hoping to finish in the top six to qualify for the Europa League.

The Nerrazzurri have won three of their last four league games, including a 2-1 triumph at Lazio in the last round, and have conceded just three goals in their last six matches.

Inter are eighth in the standings, two points adrift of sixth-place Sampdoria.

"We will try to give our all in our final three games in order to achieve that aim," Mancini said.

Juve are keen to warm up for next week's Coppa Italia final against Lazio with a victory at Inter.

"We are Juve and we need to maintain our motivation high," Allegri said. "This game is always fascinating.

"Inter need to win to maintain their push for Europa League football and we want to keep up our good condition for the Coppa Italia and the Champions League finals."

Marco Storari will replace Buffon in goal.

Inter will have to overcome the absence of midfielder Hernanes, who is suspended.

Hernanes' two goals earned Inter victory over Lazio last weekend.