STAT ATTACK: Analyzing Serie A contenders Juventus and Inter
Juventus are back in title race after six consecutive wins in Serie A, and the Old Lady looks like the best side in the league right now alongside hated rivals Inter.
The Bianconeri and Nerazzurri will probably battle it out for the Serie A title until the very end of the season, but which team has the best stats in Italy right now?
Both Massimiliano Allegri and Roberto Mancini can rely on solid rock defenses, although the latter can definitely count on the best defensive duo of the league in Jeison Murillo and Joao Miranda.
The Old Lady has allowed 12 goals so far - keeping six clean sheets - while Inter are the less-beaten defense of the league, as they’ve allowed nine goals and have kept 11 clean sheets.
Samir Handanovic has played a vital role in the Nerazzurri back-line this term, just like Miranda and Murillo. Just think that the 31-year-old shot-stopper has faced 69 shots on target, 30 more than Juventus’ legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
While both sides are applying intense pressure in the middle of the pitch, Massimiliano Allegri and Roberto Mancini are using two different methods to take command of the midfield.
The quality of Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio has allowed Juve to make almost 7000 successful passes in this campaign, while Inter have 6418, as Felipe Melo and Geoofrey Kondogbia (or Gary Medel) can’t provide Inter with the same quality of the Bianconeri midfield. That said, they’ve done the dirty work protect the Nerazzurri defensive line.
Juventus’ quality is also highlighted by 222 successful dribbles versus Inter’s 182 (61.7% v. 57.4%).
As far as strikers are concerned, Juventus have created more chances than Inter, although Mauro Icardi, Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljiaic and more clinical than counterparts Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata.
The Bianconeri’s shot accuracy is worse than Inter’s, who can boast a 47.2% stat as opposed to the Old Lady’s 37.3%.
The two sides have already met this season, settling for a 0-0 draw at the San Siro on October 18, and they will play the return leg at the Juventus Stadium on February 28.
Will it be more important to have quality or quantity in order to reach Serie A glory? Time will tell.
