Everyone to their own task: Inter chase the title, Juventus aim for a place in Europe

Inter Milan head into Sunday night with momentum firmly on their side, as the league leaders travel to Cremona looking to tighten their grip on the Scudetto race. Playing before their nearest challengers AC Milan, the Nerazzurri have the chance to stretch their advantage to eight points and pile even more pressure on the chasing pack.

Having watched Napoli lift the title last season, Inter now look primed to strike back. A ruthless 6–2 demolition of Pisa last weekend underlined their authority, leaving them five points clear of Milan and a commanding nine ahead of Napoli. Cristian Chivu’s side are unbeaten in 10 league outings and, while others have stumbled, Inter have steadily accelerated, asserting control at the summit.

Their dominance goes beyond Italy. Inter rank among the most prolific winners across Europe’s top five leagues and boast one of the continent’s most potent attacks, already hitting the 50-goal mark. The only blemish has come in Europe, where a late surge was not enough to secure a top-eight Champions League finish. After a mixed league phase, Wednesday’s 2–0 win away to Borussia Dortmund merely ensured a favourable seeding for the knockout playoffs, keeping alive hopes of a third final in four years.

Domestic matters come first, though. Before European travel resumes, Inter face a packed schedule: Cremonese away, a Coppa Italia quarter-final against Torino, a tricky league trip to Sassuolo, and then the Derby d’Italia. Their away form offers plenty of encouragement — eight wins on the road, just nine goals conceded, and six straight domestic away victories since October’s loss to Napoli.

History also favours the visitors. Inter have been flawless this season against teams in the bottom half, scoring freely and conceding little, and they have lost just once in eight Serie A visits to Cremona. Cremonese, meanwhile, arrive on the back of seven consecutive home defeats and were thrashed 4–1 at San Siro earlier in the campaign.

Injury issues persist for Inter, with Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella still sidelined, but Alessandro Bastoni and captain Lautaro Martinez are expected back after being rested in midweek. Davide Frattesi could also be handed a rare start in midfield. Cremonese will be without several key players, including Michele Collocolo, Warren Bondo and Antonio Sanabria, while Tommaso Barbieri is suspended.

Elsewhere on Sunday evening, Juventus continue their own domestic push with a trip to Parma, fresh from one of their most convincing performances of the season. Last weekend’s emphatic 3–0 victory over reigning champions Napoli sent a clear message that the Bianconeri are building something serious under Luciano Spalletti.

That result followed disappointment in Europe, where Juve narrowly missed out on a direct Champions League last-16 berth and were later held to a goalless draw in Monaco. Still, they remain one of three Italian sides left in the competition and will face Galatasaray in the playoffs.

Before Europe resumes, attention turns back to domestic business, with Parma followed by a Coppa Italia quarter-final and league clashes against Lazio and Inter.

Defensively, Juventus have been exceptional. Since Spalletti’s arrival, no Serie A team has conceded fewer goals, while their attack has also found rhythm, ranking among the league’s best in that period. Already five points better off than at the same stage last season, Juve will fancy their chances against a familiar opponent — they have won 11 of the last 17 league meetings with Parma and already claimed a 2–0 victory in Turin on opening day.

Squad rotation in midweek should see several regulars restored, with captain Manuel Locatelli, Kenan Yildiz and Andrea Cambiaso all expected to return. Only a handful of absentees remain for Juventus, while Parma continue to battle injury problems, particularly in goal. Much of their attacking hope rests on Pellegrino, who has been responsible for a remarkable share of their goals this season.

Two giants on the road, two very different challenges — but for both Inter and Juventus, Sunday offers another opportunity to underline their title credentials.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 23

Friday

Lazio - Genoa 3-2 (0-0)

/Pedro 56 pen, Taylor 62, Cataldi 90+10 pen - Malinovskyi 67 pen, Vitinha 75/

Saturday

Pisa - Sassuolo 1-3 (0-2)

/Aebischer 51 - Berardi 25, Caracciolo 45+1 og, Kone 58/

Napoli - Fiorentina 2-1 (1-0)

/Vergara 11, Gutierez 49 - Solomon 57/

Cagliari - Verona 4-0 (2-0)

/Mazzitelli 36, Kilicsoy 45+2, Sulemana 84, Idrissi 90+1/

Sunday

14.30: (1.95) Torino (3.30) Lecce (4.60)

17.00: (2.40) Como (3.45) Atalanta (3.15)

20.00: (11.0) Cremonese (5.20) Inter (1.30)

22.45: (7.75) Parma (4.30) Juventus (1.50)

Monday

22.45: (4.20) Udinese (3.50) Roma (2.00)

Tuesday

22.45: (3.45) Bologna (3.35) Milan (2.15)

***odds are subject to change***