Juventus vs Inter Milan preview - Sneijder: Juve game is crucial
Posted Sunday, February 13, 2011 by PA
Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder believes his team's next two games could make or break their season.
The Nerazzurri visit Juventus in Sunday's `Derby d'Italia' before travelling to Florence on Wednesday to face Fiorentina.
If results go their way, Leonardo's Inter would find themselves at the top of the Serie A standings next week.
Inter sit five points and two places behind Serie A leaders AC Milan, who host Parma on Saturday.
"We are closing the gap with Milan," said Sneijder. "If we win against Juventus and Fiorentina then I really think we can win the Scudetto.
"The game at Juve is crucial for us while we also cannot miss the opportunity to gain ground when we face Fiorentina."
The Nerazzurri will have to overcome a major hurdle in Turin in their pursuit of another Italian title.
Juventus, despite trailing leaders AC Milan by 11 points, still harbour hopes of winning the Scudetto.
The Bianconeri halted a run of three games without a win by beating Cagliari 3-1 in Sardinia in the last round.
Luigi Del Neri's men head into the encounter in eighth place, six points behind third-placed Inter, who have won their last three matches.
"We saw the real Juve against Cagliari," said Juve defender Andrea Barzagli. "Now we are looking to find continuity in results.
"I expect an open game, with this game crucial for both sides.
"Inter want to remain in the race for the league title and so do we."
Juve have won just one of their last three games at Turin's Stadio Olimpico.
Inter will be without Argentina striker Diego Milito, who is sidelined for a month with a thigh injury, as well as suspended defender Cristian Chivu.
Juve have recovered midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who sustained a muscular injury against Cagliari.
This is good news for Del Neri as Mohamed Sissoko is sidelined with a problematic knee.
In-form Alessandro Matri will partner Luca Toni in Juve's attack.
Matri scored twice against Cagliari, the club that loaned him to Juve last month.
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