Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli faced the media Friday, a day before the Derby d’Italia against Inter Milan, as manager Luciano Spalletti opted to forgo a pre-match press conference to focus on tactical preparation. The unusual move comes as Juventus seeks to rebound from a frustrating draw with Lazio and a Coppa Italia loss to Atalanta, while Inter arrives at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza as the clear Serie A leaders.
Inter currently hold an eight-point advantage over AC Milan entering Matchday 25, a lead recently trimmed to five points after Milan’s victory over Pisa. Inter’s form has been dominant, winning 11 of their last 12 Serie A games, keeping clean sheets in five of their last seven, and establishing a halftime lead in six of their last eight. Their recent scoring record is particularly impressive, with 13 goals scored in their last three Serie A victories while conceding just one.
The contrasting fortunes of the two clubs are stark. Juventus, under Spalletti, have accumulated 31 points since his appointment, trailing Inter’s 40 and Milan’s 35. This shift in momentum is particularly notable given Juventus’s earlier season form, which saw them defeat Inter 2-1 in September – a result that proved to be one of the last successes under then-manager Igor Tudor, who was subsequently dismissed.
A key concern for Juventus heading into Saturday’s match is the fitness of midfielder Khephren Thuram, who picked up a bone bruise in training. He will be re-evaluated Saturday morning, and if unavailable, Teun Koopmeiners is expected to start alongside Locatelli. Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik remain sidelined with injuries, though Vlahovic is reportedly nearing a return to full fitness in early March.
Spalletti’s tactical approach remains uncertain, with a decision pending on whether to maintain the 4-2-3-1 formation or switch to a three-man backline to mirror Inter’s 3-5-2. A shift to a three-man defense could see Weston McKennie start alongside Locatelli in midfield, pushing Francisco Conceição to the bench.
Both Locatelli and McKennie are currently one yellow card away from suspension, adding another layer of complexity to Spalletti’s selection decisions. Yet, a more pressing concern is the recent form of Juventus defender Gleison Bremer. After a strong start to the season, Bremer has appeared less assured in recent matches against Atalanta and Lazio, raising questions about his ability to contain Inter’s potent attack.
Bremer’s dip in form is particularly concerning given his importance to Juventus’s defensive structure. His recent performances have reportedly evoked comparisons to the team’s defensive vulnerabilities following his meniscus surgery earlier this season. The six days of rest between the Lazio draw and the Inter match are hoped to provide Bremer with the opportunity to regain his peak form.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 8:45 p.m. Local time at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan. It will be broadcast on TLN (Canada), TNT Sports 3 and 7 (United Kingdom), and Sky Sport Uno, Calcio, and 251 (Italy). Streaming options include Paramount+, Amazon Prime USA, DAZN USA and Canada, fuboTV (USA and Canada), and DAZN UK and Italy, with Sky Go Italia and NOW TV also offering coverage in Italy.
Galatasaray submitted a formal bid for Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu during the transfer window in September, but Inter declined the offer, retaining the player for the 2025-26 Champions League season. Galatasaray remain interested in signing Calhanoglu, with the Turkish transfer window still open as of February 9, 2026.
