New-look Juve await resurgent Inter

MILAN: Fit- again Claudio Marchisio could be restricted to starting on the bench as Massimiliano Allegri’s new-look Juventus bid to stretch their 27- game unbeaten run at home against Inter Milan on Sunday.

Allegri has both midfielder Marchisio and key defender Andrea Barzagli back from injury lay- offs that have hampered their bid for a record sixth straight Serie A title.

After conceding only two defeats in a tough two-month period, the Turin giants host Stefano Pioli’s resurgent Inter armed with a fourpoint lead on Roma in second, and a game in hand on their five closest pursuers.

But although reportedly fit to start, Marchisio isn’t needed so desperately yet.

Juventus have run riot in the past three games, all wins, in which injuries to defenders forced Allegri to move away from his preferred 3- 5-2 to a more offensive 4-2- 3-1.

And from the fans, there have been few grumbles.

Despite Juve being outplayed during a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina a fortnight ago, striker Gonzalo Higuain has hit the net six times in his past five league outings.

In the past three games the Argentine has benefited from the three- pronged support of Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic.

And with niggling doubts on Marchisio, and Sami Khedira and Cuadrado offering flexibility in midfield, Allegri is expected to deploy roughly the same front line Sunday.

It looks ominous for Inter, who hope to secure their second successive win over the Turin giants following their 2-1 San Siro success last September.

Inter last beat Juventus in Turin in November 2012, yet Pioli’s men are on an eight- match winning streak. — AFP