Preview: Argentines in spotlight as Inter face Juventus
MILAN (Reuters) - Mauro Icardi will get a chance to upstage fellow Argentine Gonzalo Higuain when Inter Milan host Juventus in a heavyweight Serie A clash on Sunday.
Higuain has hogged the limelight recently, scoring a league record 36 goals for Napoli last season before moving to Juve in the third most expensive deal in soccer history.
Icardi's performances are not to be downplayed either.
The 23-year-old was Serie A's joint top scorer two seasons ago with 22 goals and Inter's leading marksman last term with 16, when he was also handed the captaincy.
However, he often provides fodder for the gossip columns rather than the sports pages thanks to his marriage to Argentine media personality Wanda Nara and he has been regularly overlooked by Argentina, winning a single cap in 2013.
"People speak about the national team too much," Icardi said on Wednesday. "Those are the coach's decisions.
"Last year I did what I did, although I know I could have done more, and this year I hope to do better."
Higuain and Icardi have scored three goals in the first three league games this term with the latter's late double against Pescara on Sunday earning a 2-1 win, Inter's first of the season.
Juve new boy Higuain netted two early goals in a 3-0 victory over Sassuolo in their last Serie A game but failed to make an impact in the 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Sunday's match is a major test for Inter who have one of the strongest squads in the league but have made a stuttering start, taking four points from three games.
Juve are the only side with a maximum nine points as they seek a sixth successive crown.
"Juventus are the team to beat because they won the last few titles but we have reinforced too with some excellent players," said Icardi.
With the exception of local derbies, the rivalry betweeen Inter and Juve is regarded as the most intense in Italy.
Inter have not won any of the last seven league meetings although they triumphed 3-0 in an Italian Cup semi-final second leg last season.
Juve, who won the first leg by the same score, had the last laugh as they went through on penalties.
(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Tony Jimenez)