This weekend's Derby d'Italia is not just a classic battle between Italy’s top two football powers but also the premiere stage for a new generation of "foreign legionnaires" arriving from abroad.
Both Juventus and Inter Milan have concentrated on bringing in French players or those from France, all expected to shape the new identity of their teams, turning the Turin showdown into a contest of two rebuilding philosophies strongly marked by Gaulish influence.
Juventus and the offensive revolution from Ligue 1
For many years, Juventus’ attacking line has been their most troubling issue. To solve this problem decisively, the Old Lady’s management decided to place full trust in talents from Ligue 1, making a comprehensive investment.
The greatest hope is placed on Jonathan David, the Canadian striker signed from Lille. He was brought in to lead the attack and started well by scoring in his Serie A debut against Parma. David expressed his joy at joining a great club, and his professionalism along with proven goal-scoring ability promises to bring the effectiveness Juventus has been lacking.
The striker Juventus eagerly awaited all summer was a Frenchman, Randal Kolo Muani, who played very well in the latter half of last season on loan from PSG. They didn’t get Kolo Muani, but the last-minute deal for Lois Openda from RB Leipzig is also a decent solution. Although Belgian, Openda exploded at Lens in Ligue 1 to become one of Europe’s best young forwards. His speed, versatility, and ability to cover wide areas will provide coach Igor Tudor with more options.
The final piece and the most intriguing wildcard is Edon Zhegrova, another former Lille player. The Kosovo winger was considered one of Ligue 1’s top dribblers before suffering a serious injury last December. Juventus took a gamble signing a player who had been out for 9 months, but they believe patience will be rewarded. Coach Tudor has a special plan to gradually bring Zhegrova back, and if he regains his top form, his creativity and ability to create breakthroughs will be a very powerful weapon. The existing understanding between him and former teammate Jonathan David is also a big plus.
Will Jonathan David and Edon Zhegrova continue celebrating together at Juventus as they did at Lille?
Inter and the backbone of Chivu’s philosophy
While Juventus looked to France to fix their attacking issues, Inter Milan took a different approach. They also recruited players from Ligue 1, but aimed to find specific tactical pieces to support the revolution that new coach Cristian Chivu is building.
The most notable name is definitely Andy Diouf. Inter’s unexpected decision to drop Ademola Lookman and invest in the 22-year-old midfielder from Lens at the end of the transfer window clearly shows a change in philosophy. Chivu wants Inter to play more direct and aggressive in a 3-4-2-1 system, needing a "monster" in midfield — a physically strong box-to-box midfielder capable of sweeping and creating balance. Diouf was brought in to meet that requirement. He is expected to be a key figure in Chivu’s plan, carrying the midfield duties to free creative players.
Along with Diouf, Inter also has Luis Henrique from Marseille and Ange-Yoan Bonny, a young French talent from Parma. Luis Henrique is a versatile player who can operate in various wide positions, bringing speed and dribbling skills that Inter lacked. Meanwhile, Bonny is a fresh breath in attack, a young forward full of energy who has shown a knack for scoring.
The upcoming Derby d'Italia will be the real first test for these "foreign legionnaires." For Juventus, they represent hope to solve an old problem. For Inter, they are the gears in a new machine. Their performance will not only impact the derby result but also offer a clear insight into the future of these two giants.
Camera mounted on the referee makes its first appearance
This weekend’s Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter Milan will go down in history with the debut of Refcam technology — a tiny camera attached to the main referee’s headset. According to Serie A, Refcam will record from the referee’s viewpoint, providing a more authentic and vivid experience for fans.
Weighing only 6 grams, the camera will be used during warm-ups, set-piece situations, and replays of exciting moments. The signal from Refcam will also be transmitted to VAR, helping increase transparency in refereeing decisions.
Luigi De Siervo, Serie A’s CEO, affirmed: "Refcam is not just a technological breakthrough but also allows viewers to see the match through the referee’s eyes."
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