Inter Milan vs Juventus - Sami Khedira excited by challenge

German midfielder Sami Khedira says Juventus' poor start to the season has made this campaign "an even more exciting challenge" for the reigning champions.

Juve have dominated Serie A for the last four years but head into this weekend's clash at Inter Milan in the midst of their worst start since 1980-81, with just two wins and three defeats in their opening seven games.

Massimiliano Allegri's men have kept just one clean sheet so far and are 12th in the standings, 10 points adrift of leaders Fiorentina.

"We haven't started well, but this way the campaign becomes an even more exciting challenge," Khedira said."We are prepared for it.

"Right now we're fully concentrated on the league, which is what matters at this moment in time.

"We are eager to return to the upper reaches of the table."

Juve suffered a 2-1 defeat to Napoli in their last away match but since then have recorded back-to-back home wins over Sevilla and Bologna in the Champions League and Serie A.

The Bianconeri will now hope to claim a hat-trick of triumphs when they take on high-flying Inter in the so-called 'Derby d'Italia', but Khedira is well aware just how tough it is likely to be at the San Siro.

He said: "We know full well that it's going to be a difficult match, but we absolutely must get a result and play a good game.

"We're in very good shape, we're training well and we can't wait to get out on the pitch. Inter have begun the season well, but we are a top side with excellent players."

The summer signing from Real Madrid added: "This is a special game and I can't wait to play on Sunday."

Juve expect to have French midfielder Paul Pogba and Spanish forward Alvaro Morata available for the encounter in Milan.

The two players sustained minor knocks while on international duty but are expected to start on Sunday.

However, they will be without defender Martin Caceres, who has been ruled out for 15 days with a sprained left ankle sustained while playing for Uruguay.

Inter, in second place and just two points behind Fiorentina, have not beaten Juve at the San Siro in their last five meetings but could open up an 11-point gap on the champions with a win.

The international break came at the right time for Roberto Mancini's men.

Inter followed their 4-1 shock defeat at home to Fiorentina, their first loss of the campaign, with a 1-1 draw at Sampdoria last time out.

"The loss to Fiorentina was a lesson for us, even though it was an isolated case," Inter winger Ivan Perisic said to Gazzetta dello Sport. "Juve have an excellent group and in order to beat them, we will need to show heart, use our heads and have luck.

"The Inter we had at the beginning of the season will not be enough to beat Juventus. We have to raise our game.

"The supporters at San Siro can lend us a great hand."

Inter will be bolstered by the return of team's top scorer Stevan Jovetic.

Jovetic has recovered from a muscular injury that saw him sit out his team's last two league games and is set to lead the Nerazzurri attack alongside Mauro Icardi, with Perisic playing in support.