Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Swiss attacker Xherdan Shaqiri, even if reports over the last few days seem to be very conflicting over whether he might join the Reds or Inter Milan, as explained by This Is Anfield.

Simon Jones of The Daily Mail claims Shaqiri will hold talks with Bayern Munich officials on Wednesday to discuss a move to Liverpool or Inter. Jones claims Inter are interested in a loan move, while Liverpool may not be able to afford a permanent deal this month.

It’s perhaps “Sky Sources” who are correct, claiming Liverpool are more interested in a deal in the summer and are happy for the 23-year-old to join Inter on loan for the rest of this season.

Alas, it looks unlikely, then, that Shaqiri will be heading to Anfield this month, and as much as he might have been a welcome arrival on Merseyside, it makes sense that Liverpool aren’t looking for a deal now, especially with potential issues over Financial Fair Play.

The truth is, the least of Liverpool’s concerns this month and for the remainder of the season is bringing in an attacking midfielder, it’s the one area the Reds are nicely stocked, with Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling and even the potential recall of Jordon Ibe from loan.

Signing Shaqiri is the lowest of Liverpool’s priorities.

Priorities

Undoubtedly, the highest priority must be acquiring a goalkeeper. While Brendan Rodgers may publicly insist he is planning on “little, if any” activity this January (as per ESPNFC) he must privately be desperate to strengthen his No. 1 position.

Simon Mignolet‘s problems have been well documented, and were evidenced again in the FA Cup match at AFC Wimbledon Monday night. The Reds continue to be susceptible to set pieces, and that can only begin to be eradicated with the arrival of a commanding goalkeeper who can withstand physical pressure on corners and free-kicks.

Of course, Petr Cech would be the ideal signing, whether that can happen or not, especially now Chelsea have allowed Mark Schwarzer to leave for Leicester City, as reported by BBC Sport, is a whole other question.

While a goalkeeper is a top priority, signing a forward isn’t far behind either.

Again, Liverpool’s goalscoring problems have been well documented this season. Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have just one Premier League goal between them this season and arguably Liverpool could sign one new forward and let all three of them leave.

Options of Daniel Sturridge, Sterling and a new striker would seem far better than what Rodgers currently has available.

Borini seems the one most likely to leave, and whether that happens or not could be key to Liverpool’s activity, bringing in vital finances to fund a new singing elsewhere.

Because Liverpool’s problems don’t just extend to in goal and up front, a combative central midfielder would be a welcome addition too. Although that falls lower down the priorities than the other two and will likely have to wait until the summer, when a rebuild looks to be in order. Again.

Shaqiri

Back to Shaqiri, and while the Switzerland international would undoubtedly improve the squad, it would be like Rafa Benitez’s famous quote while at Valencia: “I asked for a table and they bought me a lamp.”

Mind you, we sat here last January saying how Liverpool needed a holding midfielder and a full-back and all they sought to sign were two wingers—Mohamed Salah and Yevhen Konoplyanka—so who knows what Rodgers and his mysterious transfer committee have up their sleeve this year.

Surely, surely, though, they see the need for a goalkeeper this January—it really could be the difference between a top-four challenge or not, and it could subsequently save Rodgers his job.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1DjP6u7
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Stoke City have emerged as Liverpool‘s unlikely rivals for Xherdan Shaqiri’s signature, according to reports.

The Bayern Munich star, who has struggled to secure consistent first-team football since leaving Basel in 2012, is a figure of admiration for the Potters. Assistant boss Mark Bowen recently underlined the club’s ambition to BBC Radio Stoke (h/t Dejan Kalinic of Goal.com), saying, “To get a good player like him on board would be fantastic.”

“There are other clubs interested, but it doesn’t mean we rule ourselves out,” continued Bowen. “He’s definitely on the list, but there is competition for a player of his ability.”

Mark Hughes’ side pulled off the ambitious coup of signing ex-Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic during the summer, a transfer that Bowen believes could aid the club’s quest for Shaqiri.

“It’s bound to help and it does help,” he said, per Kalinic. “There’s many boxes to tick, not least the financial side of it, and with Shaqiri coming from one of the best clubs in the world, there’s a lot of persuasion to get it done.”

Liverpool fans will certainly need to wade through various Shaqiri rumours before the truth is revealed. Swiss newspaper Blick (h/t Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star) reports a £10 million fee has already been agreed for the 23-year-old’s switch to Anfield.

Anthony Chapman of the Express believes Brendan Rodgers has offered Shaqiri “a lucrative long-term deal,” a contract that has reportedly pushed Inter Milan out of the running for his signature. Romeo Agresti of Goal.com believes Juventus are “ready to launch” a £15 million bid, a sum that could steer Shaqiri away from Merseyside.

Rodgers needs to be hunting players of this calibre, those who can have an immediate impact on his team’s chances of reaching the Champions League.

Although an unlikely transfer, rumours of Karim Benzema’s interest continue to spring up. Ben Jefferson of the Express believes the Real Madrid striker “has his heart set on a move to the Premier League.” Liverpool are preparing a £40 million bid according to the aforementioned report, but there’s no doubt this seems an unlikely pairing.

Benzema pretty much has guaranteed success laid out ahead of him at Madrid. It would be a gutsy move to exchange titles and Champions League football for a Premier League scrap for fourth. Europe’s elite would likely weigh up a bid if he becomes available, with teams such as Paris Saint-Germain able to offer greater terms than Liverpool. David Wright of the Express reports of the Ligue 1 side’s interest.

More likely is the arrival of West Brom’s Saido Berahino, a player the Baggies have valued at £20 million, per the Mirror‘s Steve Robson. Warren Haughton of talkSPORT believes the midlands club “will be willing to sell” if they receive a bid in the region of £12-15 million. This is perhaps closer to Liverpool’s budget for January.

News of Steven Gerrard‘s departure will have many supporters thinking about the club’s long-term future. Gerrard recently admitted, “If a contract had been put in front of me in pre-season I would have signed it,” reported by the Liverpool Echo (h/t Carl Markham of The Independent).

Instead, the club waited too long and will lose their talisman—who has netted four goals in his last two matches—to LA Galaxy, reported by Ben Smith of BBC Sport. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher recently hinted at his thoughts on the Reds’ inability to tie Gerrard up:

Liverpool need additional goalscoring prowess, as noted by Andy Brassell’s recent rundown of potential candidates with B/R UK’s Ryan Bailey:

Rodgers has to act quickly and with authority if he’s to secure the right talent in January. Liverpool failed to sign Mohamed Salah and Yevhen Konoplyanka after taking too long over negotiations during last season’s winter transfer window, so they need to work avidly.

If suitable quality isn’t found and the club fails to make next season’s Champions League, Rodgers and the board will have plenty to answer for. You have to feel that a major signing is on the way to soften the blow after Gerrard’s departure, with Shaqiri remaining a possible prospect to up Liverpool’s creativity.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1yzZ7ll
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Juventus are a point clear atop the Serie A standings following Tuesday’s competitive 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia.

Carlos Tevez opened the scoring for the Bianconeri inside the opening five minutes, and it wasn’t until shortly after the hour-mark that Mauro Icardi equalised for the Nerazzurri.

The match also featured the Inter debut of Lukas Podolski, who quite nearly put Icardi through for a winner late in the second half.

There were several standout performances at Juventus Stadium, as well as one or two that were rather less impressive.

Following are the individual winners and losers from the encounter.

Begin Slideshow

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1DvhxCG
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Juventus missed a chance to restore their three-point lead atop Serie A following a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan on Tuesday evening in the Derby d’Italia.

Carlos Tevez fired Juve ahead in just the fifth minute, and the hosts appeared set for victory after dominating the first 45 minutes. But Inter improved after the break and equalised through Mauro Icardi in the 64th minute.

The visitors had perhaps the best chance for a late winner but finished the match with 10 men following Mateo Kovacic‘s dismissal four minutes from time.

With the draw, Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus retained top spot in the Serie A table with 40 points through 17 matches. But the Bianconeri, who led by three points over the winter break, saw their lead trimmed to one point following Roma’s controversial victory at Udinese earlier Tuesday.

Juventus will resume their quest for a fourth straight league title with a tricky trip to Napoli on Sunday.

Inter, who moved ahead of Udinese and into 11th place with the draw, host Genoa the same day.

Intriguing storylines abounded ahead of kick-off. For Inter, new signing Lukas Podolski started on the bench after the German forward completed his loan move from Arsenal on Monday, per Sky Sports. Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini was set to face Juve striker Tevez for the first time as Inter manager. The two had a sometimes-strained relationship when both were with Manchester City in England. 

Within moments of the opening whistle, the action on the pitch took centre stage. Juve missed a big chance in the second minute as Claudio Marchisio blasted wide, Tevez having supplied the final pass after fine buildup play by the Bianconeri.

It mattered little, however. Three minutes later, the hosts went ahead.

Arturo Vidal served as the catalyst, brilliantly creating the opening with the deft flick of the heel. Fernando Llorente passed to the Chilean on the right side of the box, where Vidal used a clever touch with the inside of his heel to open up space and beat his marker. Chasing down the ball near the byline, Vidal crossed into the goalmouth, where Tevez tapped in for 1-0.

Inter attempted to gain a foothold throughout the remainder of the first half, but Juventus continued to create the better chances. Vidal came close to a goal of his own in the 12th minute, seeing his low shot tipped over the bar after Inter failed to clear a corner.

The Chilean had another chance in the 27th minute, but his bouncing effort from outside the box was saved by Samir Handanovic.

The Inter goalkeeper saved again in the 35th minute, stopping Paul Pogba one-on-one after Pogba slalomed through a crowd of defenders in the box.

Still trailing by a goal at half-time, Inter introduced Podolski for Zdravko Kuzmanovic in the 54th minute. The Nerazzurri produced their first shot on target 10 minutes later, and it turned into the equaliser.

Fredy Guarin carved open Juve‘s defence with an incisive pass into the right side of the box. Outpacing his marker, Icardi ran onto the ball and beat Gianluigi Buffon from a tight angle to make it 1-1 in the 64th minute.

Juventus nearly retook the lead in the 69th minute as Andrea Pirlo curled a fine free-kick on target. Handanovic initially appeared beaten, but the goalkeeper recovered in time to swat the ball away.

The hosts had a penalty appeal turned down in the 71st minute as substitute Alvaro Morata went to ground in the box following a challenge by Hugo Campagnaro. Replays suggested Campagnaro had made contact outside the box, but referee Luca Banti booked Morata for simulation.

Juve came close again in the 77th minute, Pogba heading just wide from a corner. Four minutes later at the other end, Inter came even closer, Icardi placing a potential tap-in wide after Podolski had crossed from the left.

Inter went down to 10 men in the 86th minute as Kovacic saw red for a reckless challenge on Juventus‘ Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Juventus were unable to take advantage of the numerical advantage, however, and the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

Grades

Reaction

To follow…

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1HIlHtk
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Juventus fans have created impressive displays before, but this one might be the best yet.

The Bianconeri faithful choreographed this impressive sight for Tuesday’s Derby d’Italia against Inter Milan.

The Inter fans, for their part, responded with a ‘B’ to mock Juve’s brief spell in Serie B.

Brilliant work from both sets of supporters. 

[@FabDellaValle, @Marcocalcio22]

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1s2wtqz
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Serie A—Juventus Stadium

Juventus vs. Inter Milan (kick-off 8 p.m. GMT / 3 p.m. ET)

Referee: Luca Banti

Bleacher Report’s Adam Digby looks at the issues and the decisions that will shape this encounter.

Projected Lineups

Juventus: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Marchisio, Llorente, Tevez

Inter Milan: Handanovic, D’Ambrosio, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Dodo, Kuzmanovic, Medel, Hernanes, Kovacic, Palacio, Icardi

Join us 45 minutes prior to kick-off for team news, quotes, videos and all of your pre-match buildup.

Follow @jerradpeters

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1BvkL9Y
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Fernando Torres received a hero’s welcome as 45,000 people turned out to mark his return to Atletico Madrid after a seven-and-a-half year hiatus. The success of strikers signed by Atleti in the last 10 years is truly something to marvel at, but is the romantic return of Torres doomed for footballing failure?

The new arrival was certainly pleased with the reception he received, as announced on Twitter:

The term “hero” is often used undeservedly in modern football but in the case of Torres’ relationship with Atletico, the word is fully justified. The Spaniard came through the ranks at the club and by 19 years old was captain of the side.

Torres is to Los Rojiblancos what Raul is to Real Madrid’s supporters, and what Francesco Totti is to the Roma Faithful.

The World Cup winner’s seven years spent at the Vicente Calderon Stadium only yielded one Segunda Division trophy—but the man dubbed El Nino (meaning “The Kid”) by the adoring fans became an icon, a talisman and a footballing deity in his time spent in the capital.

Then in 2007, Fernando Torres was gone.

The forward’s transfer to Liverpool was softened somewhat by the fact that Sergio Aguero had been signed a year previously. The Argentine poacher became the new idol in the red and white half of Madrid, and formed a formidable partnership with Diego Forlan.

Atletico’s ability to acquire the most suitable strikers to slot into the team was reinforced in 2011 when Radamel Falcao joined from FC Porto to replace Inter Milan-bound Forlan.

The Colombian was a revelation, netting 70 times in 91 appearances in all competitions over two seasons with the club. A front-page headline from Spanish newspaper Marca (h/t The Guardian) summed up Falcao’s performances for Atletico: “Falcao has no barriers.”

Atleti’s skill in allowing star signings to settle and start scoring so swiftly was again demonstrated with the signing of David Villa at the beginning of season 2013-2014. Some considered the former Barcelona player as a risky acquisition, a star on the wane.

Villa finished the season as the club’s second top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions. He also collected a La Liga medal as confirmation that he still had something to offer a club playing at the top level.

This season saw the arrival of Croatian hitman Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich. With Diego Costa gone, Mandzukic has taken the mantel of star striker. With 14 goals across all competitions so far this term, it seems that Los Colchoneros have made the correct choice once again.

Can the loan signing of Torres from AC Milan be compared to the signing of David Villa? Does the Atletico hierarchy believe they can rejuvenate the 30-year-old? Maybe time has stood still at the Vicente Calderon and the locals have turned a blind eye to their legend’s form since he left Liverpool.

Torres’ experience in the last five years is as extreme in its transformation as the fortunes of his boyhood club.

Atletico have forced themselves back onto the top table of European clubs, capturing La Liga (2014), the Europa League (2012) and a Copa del Rey (2013).

Torres captured an excellent haul of medals in his time at Chelsea, including a Champions League (2012), a Europa League (2013) and an FA Cup (2012). Whilst the striker showed flashes of his old brilliance, such as in the 2012 Europa League final, his personal form in general was average at best.

His performances were truly abysmal at worst.

In four seasons at Chelsea, the Spaniard scored 20 league goals in 110 Premier League appearances, not the stats of a footballer who was signed for £50 million.

Any hopes that the former Liverpool forward’s form would reignite on loan at AC Milan were dashed, as highlighted by Whoscored.com’s Twitter post:

Torres’ form is as confusing as the transfer deal which now brings him back to the club. El Nino was only a few months into a two-year loan deal from Chelsea, yet on January 5 Milan made the move permanent, only to loan the Spaniard straight to Atletico.

Football blogger David Amoyal summed up the situation in his Tweet:

Richard Williams of the Press Association (h/t The Guardian) also captured the situation succinctly:

It says everything about the state of Torres’s career that Milan, desperate for a star to fill the shirt once worn by Marco van Basten, George Weah and Andriy Shevchenko, could find use for him only as a bargaining chip.

It is wonderful for Los Rojiblancos faithful to welcome their poster boy home. For a club whose recent success has been built partly on its shrewd transfer dealings, however, this decision of heart ruling over head may come back to haunt Diego Simeone.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1FgVdRW
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

As Serie A kicks back into gear following the winter break, teams will be anxious to pick up wins to boost their chances of securing their seasonal objectives, but they will also look to move into the transfer market where they can to aid their progress.

For Juventus, another league title is the obvious aim, and with the club looking for an attacking midfielder, Sky Sports have reported an interest from the Turin club in Galatasaray‘s Wesley Sneijder.

Others have also been linked with the Dutchman, so a deal isn’t going to be straightforward, but with the 30-year-old looking perhaps for a final chance to have a big impact at the top of the game, it would be a move which gives Juve strength in depth and offers Sneijder an opportunity to prove his continuing worth.

Juventus continues the pressure to sign Sneijder, Lavezzi continues to be one of the other targets for Juve & Inter. [La Stampa]

— Khaled Al Nouss (@KhaledAlNouss) January 5, 2015

Sneijder‘s Downturn

Sneijder was one of the most important parts of Inter Milan‘s treble-winning team in 2010, but within 18 months of that tremendous campaign—and the World Cup run to the final with Netherlands which followed—his influence on the team had started to wane.

He has spent the past two years with Galatasaray in Turkey, scoring nine in all competitions last season and being a regular performer but not making great waves in the Champions League, either with his own performances or the team’s success.

While he isn’t quite as dynamic or explosive throughout a 90 minutes as he once was, Sneijder remains a key figure with the national team and has played more than 1,100 minutes in the Super Lig this term, the fifth-highest in his team’s squad. There is clearly no issue with his ability to play at a high level, with frequency, and to demand more success.

Juve Attack

Now under Mass Allegri’s tutelage, Juventus have lost just once this season in Serie A and sit top of the table, having scored more and conceded fewer than any other top-flight Italian side.

The back-three system has been replaced by a flat four, with a diamond or narrow three in midfield, meaning Allegri is looking for a new attacking, creative option, as he said on Sky Sports:

It’s not easy to reinforce Juve, but we have some very clear ideas, and it’s no secret that we are looking for an attacking midfielder and a defender. Sneijder has tremendous technical quality and would complete an already very strong part of the team, creating competition for places.

Before the winter break, Roberto Pereyra filled the most advanced central role, but he was subbed in each of the final three games against Sampdoria, Cagliari and Napoli. Adding Sneijder to the mix would certainly bring experience and technique, if not the dribbling ability and pace which the Dutchman possessed last time he starred in Italy.

I love Berardi but I’m a bigger fan of Juventus signing players they need today that will make a difference. Sneijder isn’t that @TuzNico

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) January 3, 2015

Final Chance

There has long been talk of teams of the like of Manchester United or indeed Juve looking at Sneijder, but having fallen out of favour at Inter and then accepting a move to Galatasaray—a big team, but not a big league—it is clear that the Dutchman’s career was already on the wane.

I always pay attention to the reaction of fans who could lose a player, both Liverpool & Galatasaray fans very upset over Suso & Sneijder

— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) January 6, 2015

Italy’s top flight is not at its strongest point right now, and that the top club in the country would consider bringing Sneijder back at this point, likely to be a regular performer, is perhaps an indication of that.

However, he does remain a talented individual who, when used correctly, can have a game-changing impact still. If the fire is still within him to have a crack at the top, with Juve looking for more honours and utilising a system which could suit Sneijder, this might be the perfect, and last, opportunity for the World Cup finalist to show his capabilities to the world.

Follow @karlmatchett

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1wiTFgJ
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

It is widely accepted that Tottenham Hotspur blew the Gareth Bale money, compounded by their failure to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition, the UEFA Champions League. With a bulging bank balance, the North London outfit promptly went on a splurge your average WAG would be proud of, bringing in a whole host of names that ultimately led to more questions than solutions.

As the various new arrivals lined up for pre-season photos in the summer of 2013, the phrase “seven hamburgers don’t make a steak” came to mind, and their shopping spree has subsequently gone on to prove that stockpiling numbers can be far less effective than the acquisition, or possession of, one world-class game changer. Liverpool appear to have fallen into the same track this season following the exit of Luis Suarez.

One player who has fallen far down the White Hart Lane pecking order is midfield-engine Paulinho.

A £17 million signing 18 months ago, the Brazil international has not made a single Premier League start this term, instead being used primarily in the Thursday night specials in the Europa League.

Per Whoscored.com stats, three of his last 10 outings have lasted less than 10 minutes. It is a remarkable fall for a player who was a key feature in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Confederations Cup success, and also featured heavily at last year’s main event.

Prior to pitching up in London, the midfielder had struck up an effective midfield partnership at Brazilian outfit Corinthians with holding man and enforcer Ralf. Together, they lifted the 2011 Campeonato Brasileiro, the 2012 Copa Libertadores and helped defeat Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Those major triumphs of course came under the tutorship of Tite, now back at the helm of the Corinthians ship. And he has, according to Globo Esporte (link in Portuguese), requested the return of Paulinho, dragging him out of his White Hart Lane misery.

But is the move a beneficial one for the 26-year-old? The midfielder has clearly failed to settle in London. Barely had he unpacked his bags before he was being linked with moves away from the Champions League-aspiring side.

But the calibre of club with which he has been linked is significantly different. Not so long ago Paulinho was rumoured to be pitching up at the likes of title-chasing AS Roma, or European champions Real Madrid, as reported by The Daily Telegraph just 12 months previously.

A move back to the Paulista club—who have secured Libertadores football for the 2015 season—so soon after his multi-million pound transfer would surely register as an enormously disappointing failure on the part of the Brazilian, in not managing to make his mark on one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

Mauricio Pochettino has evidently decided he can do without the energetic middle man, whose total football played this season amounts to less than five full games, looking again at those Whoscored.com stats.

For a player approaching his prime, and with as much potential as Paulinho possesses, that is simply not enough. He has recently been linked with a move to Inter Milan, per The Daily Mirror, a club whose drastic fall mirrors that of their transfer target.

But one would imagine a move to the Arena Corinthians would be more appealing, and the Timao would have an edge even over reigning Brasileirao champions Cruzeiro, also linked with the player according to Globo Esporte (link in Portuguese), in repatriating the Selecao international.

The aforementioned Globo (link in Portuguese) article also references that the player remains in contact with several players at the club, something which indicates that his heart remains in Sao Paulo.

Regaining the confidence and momentum he had previously built could be his ticket back into the international fold. He started every game at the FIFA World Cup bar the semi-final defeat to Germany, despite not playing regular football under former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood, and it is entirely feasible his confidence has been shot to bits as his role at the Premier League club has diminished.

In the same way it is hoped that a move back to Vicente Calderon will help to rejuvenate the once venomous Fernando Torres, perhaps a similar switch can help Paulinho find his lungs again, not to mention a role in Dunga’s Brazil plans for the Copa America.

It may be an admission of failure for the time being, but in this instance one step back could end up meaning two steps forward.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1BtOct0
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Serie A returns from its festive hiatus and to kickstart the action in 2015 is a Derby d’Italia, with Juventus and Internazionale set to lock horns at the Juventus Stadium. The longstanding rivalry between these two teams always makes for an intriguing occasion and this year will surely be no different as each side looks to begin the year in style.

The Bianconeri currently lead AS Roma by three points at the top of the table and will be desperate to accrue some momentum after the break. Inter are harbouring slightly lesser ambitions than Juve this season and although they’re currently languishing down in a meagre 11th position in the table, they’re just six points off third-place Napoli.

With supporters from across Italy keen to get back into the swing of things expect quite a din to be created by the 40,000 packed into the home of the Turin club. For those not lucky enough to be there in person, here are all the details you need on where to catch what should be an engrossing 90 minutes on the box or via an online stream.

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6

Time: 8 p.m. (GMT), 3 p.m. (ET)

Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)

TV Info: beIN Sports (U.S.), ESPN UK (UK)

Bianconeri Looking To Build On Excellent Home Record

This particular fixture obviously stirs emotions given the magnitude of the teams involved, but on the face of things, it shouldn’t be too volatile an occasion considering the geography of the two teams. But over the years, it’s come to resemble a regional rivalry and subsequently, it’s evolved into one of the most fiercely contested matches anywhere in European football.

When you consider that Juventus are unbeaten in their last 35 home matches in Serie A, Internazionale have quite a task on their hands. But after being busy in the early days of the transfer window—they’ve just signed Lukas Podolski on loan, per the Guardian—Roberto Mancini will be hopeful of his team springing a surprise.

Mancini welcomed the German to the club on his Twitter account:

Inter must improve on the form that was showcased in the latter stages of 2014, though. They’ve won just one of their last seven games in Serie A and as of yet, Mancini has yet to get this team playing with the swagger it’s capable of. The Nerazzurri’s away record leaves much to be desired too, having picked up just two wins from their eight away games so far.

In truth, it’s very difficult to see that changing when they make the trip to Turin. Massimiliano Allegri’s team are in wonderful form and with Roma facing a tricky trip to Udinese earlier in the day, it could be an opportunity for the league leaders to extent their three-point buffer in the race for the Scudetto.

They’re also looking to bolster their squad in the January window according to David Amoyal of gianlucadimarzio.net, by bringing in two players who previously played for their upcoming opponents no less:

But the squad Allegri has at his disposal is pretty formidable as is. In Carlos Tevez, Juve currently have the hottest striker in Serie A and as we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, the Bianconeri have a host of players that have been in exceptional form throughout the course of 2014:

Indeed, a quick rundown of the quality bristling from every pore of this Juventus squad tells you all that you need to know ahead of this one. The hosts will be far too strong for an Inter side in the midst of a major transition and if the Giallorossi do slip up at Udinese, expect an especially focused and clinical display from the Bianconeri.

Inter’s best hope here is to sit deep, look to hit Juve on the break and ride their luck. It remains to be seen whether Podolski will feature—he’ll provide a much needed boost if he does—but even so, the pressure the home side are likely to put Mancini’s men under will eventually be too much to handle.

Prediction: Juventus 3-0 Internazionale

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1whpVRh
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J