Juventus vs. Inter: 5 key players to watch in the Coppa Italia semifinals second leg
Juventus defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals behind a first-half brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and a bend-but-don’t-break defensive effort from the young center back duo of Merih Demiral and Matthijs de Ligt.
The Bianconeri carried over their good form with a 2-0 win over AS Roma at the Allianz Stadium, and they will remain the home side for this crucial second leg clash against their biggest rivals.
Here are five key players to watch on both teams.
Juventus FW Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski has been a difference-maker in a few games this season for Juventus, and he made an impact off the bench by creating the own goal against Roma that sealed a 2-0 victory for the Old Lady.
The 20-year-old has scored three goals with one assist in Serie A and has been lightning-in-a-bottle for the Bianconeri. But Kulusevski could stand to be more consistent. This match will be another good test for the former Parma star.
Inter CM Nicolo Barella
There isn’t a more impressive young player in Serie A right now than Nicolo Barella, who is one of the Player of the Year candidates behind overwhelming favorite Cristiano Ronaldo. Barella was a lot to handle in the first leg, even though Juventus were able to avoid allowing him to do too much damage to them.
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Barella has three goals and five assists for Inter this season, and his chance-creation and even goal-scoring threat have grown significantly in the last month. A man who is clearly the future of the Italian national team, Barella will do whatever he can to help Inter register a second-leg comeback against their Derby d’Italia rivals.
Juventus CB Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt was solid as ever in Juve’s first leg victor over the Nerazzurri. He may have to be even better in the second leg, because Juventus will have to deal with superstar striker Romelu Lukaku, who was very much missed in the first contest.
Shutting down Lukaku is just about impossible, so Juve must engage in the practice of damage control.
De Ligt has to be the one to force the issue, because the Zebras cannot let Lukaku dominate the final third with his ability to find space, keep possession, and create for teammates.
Inter RM Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi has been a revelation for Inter Milan since they signed him from Real Madrid last summer, and it is not unfair to claim that he has been the signing of the season in Serie A. Hakimi was already a world-class wide midfielder/wing back at Borussia Dortmund, and he has maintained that reputation in Italy.
Juventus will have to contend with Hakimi on Tuesday night at the Allianz Stadium, and he absolutely burned Juve in their earlier fixture in Serie A. Inter dominated that match, en route to a 2-0 win. Federico Chiesa and Co. cannot let that happen again.
Juventus CM Adrien Rabiot
Arthur Melo has been delivering classy performances for the Black and Whites lately, but he is expected to miss this game with an illness (flu-like symptoms, not COVID). That means Adrien Rabiot will most likely start in the middle of the park for Juventus.
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The experienced French midfielder has had his ups-and-downs this season for the Bianconeri, but, by and large, Rabiot has been an asset. He will provide a lot of defensive cover in a game in which Juve will likely focus a lot on defense, but he does need to show more involvement in the attacking phases. His play has slipped in that regard recently.