The Derby d'Italia is already upon us, and there is some extra spice with this clash, as both teams look to meet their campaign's objectives...

Saturday 31 March 2013

Plenty of questions have been asked of Inter this season, and many have come back to haunt the Nerazzurri over the past month. One has been whether the side could juggle the Europa League and Serie A competitions, and the Nerazzurri are seemingly doing okay. However, it has come at a cost as they have slipped down the domestic table since November. And losing 1-0 to Bologna before the international break has brought things to a head. Coach Andrea Stramaccioni says the team are fired up for this match, but can the side lift - especially defensively? Juan is out through suspension meaning Matias Silvestre will come into the starting XI.

Many of Juventus' players have been playing three games a week since the start of 2013, and fatigue is seemingly yet to kick in. With the same occurring during the international break, will the Bianconeri men be ready to beat one of their biggest rivals? Paul Pogba stole the headlines throughout the week, as the Frenchman was sent off against Spain, and Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli worked well for Italy against Brazil and Malta. Beating Bologna relatively easy, the Bianconeri want to claim their fourth win in five matches.

Hard to go by Juve at the moment, but Inter did win the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Prediction: Inter Milan 0-1 Juventus

Lionel Messi has scored twice to help secure a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, further extending their lead at the top of the La Liga ladder.

Defender Adriano was pulled from the pitch 22 minutes in, it being confirmed afterwards that he had injured right leg that will see him out of action for four to six weeks.

So the task was on the strikers and Messi was in strong form early, with a free kick 25 minutes in hitting the crossbar but providing teammate David Villa the chance to put Barcelona one up.

Villa returned the favour for Messi before both sides went to the rooms for half-time, with a pass allowing for the Argentinean to score his first for the match, and in his 18^th consecutive league match.

He wasn’t content with just one though, striking again shortly after the break, Messi scored his second after evading his marker and the keeper.

Desperate to take something away from the match, Paco brought on Raúl Tamudo whose first touch brought back a point for Vallecano.

Unfortunately it was too little too late for Vallecano, Barcelona securing a 3-1 victory and took Messi’s La Liga scoring tally to 42 goals this season.