The Italian Seria A reaches day 32 this weekend with Juventus and Inter Milan clashing against each other in what is believed to be the clash of the week…

As the season is coming to an end, the title challenge in Italy is more like in Spain and different from what it looks like in England or in Germany where it’s still very much game on for the teams behind the respective current leaders.

Juventus lack ten points behind Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan with only seven more games to play before the league ends. The Bianconeri’s chances of clinching the Scudetto are mathematically alive but from an obvious point of view, anything less than a win on Saturday might sink their dream of achieving that.

Juventus suffered an anguishing 3-2 defeat away to Genoa last weekend and after seven goals conceded in their last three league games Coach Claudio Ranieri expects nothing less but a performance of true warriors when his side meets Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico.

A changed squad

Reports coming out of the Juventus camp suggest that Alessandro Del Piero might be benched for the game. Italian magazine La Gazetta Dello Sport explained that the striking pair composed of David Trezeguet and Iaquinta would rather start upfront while unfit Amauri is said to be very much unlikely to play as a starter.

In midfield, veteran Italian international Mauro Camoranesi and Claudio Marchisio face the prospect of missing the crucial encounter due to suspension – which should give way to Portuguese player Tiago and Christian Poulsen.

Buffon though should stay in post although reports claimed that he trained separately on Tuesday morning.

Juve can’t afford to bow down against a distracted Inter Milan

Juventus haven’t won since they last trashed AS Roma 4-1 in March. Their last memory of Inter Milan is a 1-0 defeat powered by Ghana’s Sulley Muntari 72nd minute strike.

Buffon certainly hopes of keeping his lines clean when he comes up against Inter Milan on Saturday. One thing is certain: Buffon wouldn’t have to deal with the likes of Adriano.

The Brazilian has boycotted soccer as at now and his departure could be more damaging to Inter Milan than one may think.

Adriano powered Inter Milan to their last victory against a rival club. That was against AC Milan where he scored with his hand to seal his side’s controversial 2-1 victory over the Rossoneri.

In any case, Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan definitely have the upper hand going into that crucial encounter for Juve especially. However, a frustrating 2-2 draw at home to Palermo last week may also define that the Seria A defending champions are just starting to lose concentration and feel the pressure of being at the top.

Can Claudio Ranieri’s men find their total strength and give a slap in Inter’s face