Serie A Preview: Inter-Juventus
Background
Inter Milan may be coming to the end of one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory but they appear to be keen on avoiding outright catastrophe with a string of recent positive results.
Wins over Ancona, Benfica and Reggina have seen the nerazzurri regain some of their mojo.
And as result, Alberto Zaccheroni's boys stand a fair chance of snatching fourth spot and a guernsey for next season's UEFA Cup if they can maintain their oh-so-recent form.
Marcello Lippi, Juventus' manager, will have none of this, of course.
When he take his side to the San Siro Stadium on Sunday afternoon for this clash, he will have nothing but victory on his mind.
Lippi, who bares a striking resemblance to American actor Paul Newman, knows that his side have no chance of catching Milan in the race for the scudetto.
But he understands that they have a better-than-even chance of obtaining second spot come the end of the competition.
And if Juventus were to finish in that position, then the beleaguered coach might not have to make way for Deschamps after all.
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Inter
Midfielder Almeyda says the aims of the nerazzurri are simple: to clinch fourth place domestically and earn a berth in the UEFA Cup internationally.
Lambasted by journalists and fans alike for a roller-coaster season, he and his team mates believe they can achieve these goals by winning their remaining games and paying scant attention to the table.
Easier said than done, but Almeyda feels good about the club after seeing them win three games in a row over the last fourteen days.
Someone else who also feels good about Inter's prospects is Cruz.
If there was any doubt that he had forgotten the nerazzurri's impressive 3-1 away win over Juventus back at the start of the season, his comments this week dispelled that.
"We played very well against them last time," he said.
"And we got ourselves an important victory.
"The hope is that history repeats itself."
Juventus
How refreshing to see a player pledge eternal loyalty to one club.
This week Tacchinardi extended his contract for another four years.
That will make it 14 seasons with the bianconeri when he hangs up his boots in 2008.
His commitment to remain with the club is fuelled by a desire to bag a particular trophy.
"I want to win the Champions League," he said.
"It is my daily desire."
The midfielder will be 32 years old when he calls it quits.
And he said that it will then be time to pay back the club that have given him so much.
"I would like to teach the junior players everything that I have learned in the course of my career," he said.
Probable Team Line-Ups
Inter (3-4-3): Toldo, Adani, Materazzi, Cordoba, Almeyda, C. Zanetti, Stankovic, J. Zanetti, Recoba, Martins, Vieri.
Juventus (4-3-1-2): Buffon, Birindelli, Thuram, Montero, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Maresca, Nedved, Miccoli, Trezeguet.
Players To Watch
Inter
He was put on this earth to play football and thrill fans with his creative use of the ball.
A stalwart of the nerazzurri, he is known as "The Chinaman" because of his distinct facial features.
But Recoba comes from Uruguay.
And he is the best thing that tiny country has produced since Francescoli.
Juventus
Buffon is a seasoned campaigner.
As custodian of the bianconeri goal, he understands an important thing: the ball never comes where it is expected to.
Especially when facing the likes of Recoba, Martins and Vieri.
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