The 2022 Coppa Italia final brings together eternal rivals Juventus and Inter Milan for the 259th time in history, as a Derby d’Italia saga spanning back to 1909 prepares to forge a new chapter. This will also be the first Coppa Italia final between the two since 1965, giving the opportunity for one side to become an immortal pioneer in the current generation.Of the two Coppa-chasing colossi, Juventus are arguably under greater pressure, as this is their last chance of securing silverware this term. You would have to go back to 2010/11 to find the last time the Bianconeri went trophyless in a campaign, but Juventus are largely reliable in this competition, winning five of the last seven editions and knocking Inter out of last season’s Coppa Italia. Although a 2-1 defeat to struggling Genoa last time out – which ended a five-game unbeaten run (W4, D1) – showed yet again this season that Juventus have their faults.Is this the end? Zlatan can play for only ten minutes a game, you can see him only in tactical trainingUnlike Juve, Inter still have the distraction of a tight title race, but with the Nerazzurri winning two of the three prior head-to-head encounters this season – including the Italian Supercup final back in January – they should have a mental edge. Simone Inzaghi’s men also arrive at the Stadio Olimpico in fine form, after seven wins in their last eight outings, including the last match against the Old Lady (1-0).Inter have also won seven of their previous 13 Coppa Italia finals, but their last such triumph came in 2011 and they haven’t come this far since. That will make them particularly eager to fly out of the traps, but Juventus will do all they can to prevent that, with just one of the Turin titans’ last five Coppa Italia finals seeing both teams score.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Since Juventus announced that Paulo Dybala would not extend his contract at the club, the long-serving forward has been linked with a move to Inter, against whom he has scored only four goals in 16 appearances – though his most recent secured a draw at San Siro this season.After netting his 115th Juve goal in the humbling defeat to Genoa – a match which he started alongside Dusan Vlahovic, the Argentina international will be favourite to keep his place, which could see Alvaro Morata forced to settle for a place on the bench.Meanwhile, in midfield, Manuel Locatelli is back in contention after missing Bianconeri’s last five league outings, but Max Allegri is unlikely to risk him from the start, so Denis Zakaria and Adrien Rabiot are expected to feature in the engine room. American midfielder Weston McKennie will not recover from injury in time to make the final but should be back before the end of the season.Arsenal are not giving up on LautaroWith Leonardo Bonucci potentially being squeezed out, Matthijs de Ligt and Giorgio Chiellini are set to start in central defence, and the latter is aiming to lift his 20th trophy for the club on Wednesday.On the left of a probable back four – though Allegri likes to keep opponents guessing – Luca Pellegrini is back to battle Alex Sandro for a place after overcoming an ankle sprain, with fellow full-back Mattia De Sciglio suspended.By contrast, Inter travel to the capital with few fitness concerns, as even Alessandro Bastoni could contend for a spot at centre-back, having returned to training this week following a calf problem which has ruled him out for several weeks.Bonucci’s advise to Vlahović: He brought us a lot, but he needs to be calmer with the ballShould the Italy international be unable to line up in Inzaghi’s back three, his place on the left would again be filled by Federico Dimarco, though Danilo D’Ambrosio is another available option.Inzaghi is not expected to make further changes to the starting eleven that won at Empoli, but experienced strikers Edin Dzeko and Alexis Sanchez will hope to unseat current incumbent Joaquin Correa alongside in-form Lautaro Martinez up front.COPPA ITALIA – FINALWednesday22:00: (3.45) Juventus (3.40) Inter (2.25)***odds are subject to change©FlashScore
