{"id":3420,"date":"2024-10-25T12:31:40","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T12:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/felipe-melo-balotelli-play-acted-chiellini-not-my-friend-inter-will-beat-juventus\/"},"modified":"2024-10-25T12:31:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T12:31:44","slug":"felipe-melo-balotelli-play-acted-chiellini-not-my-friend-inter-will-beat-juventus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/felipe-melo-balotelli-play-acted-chiellini-not-my-friend-inter-will-beat-juventus\/","title":{"rendered":"Felipe Melo: ‘Balotelli play-acted, Chiellini not my friend, Inter will beat Juventus’"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"RIO<\/picture><\/div>\n

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 21: Felipe Melo of Fluminense controls the ball during a Brasileirao 2024 match between Fluminense and Botafogo at Maracana Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lucas Figueiredo\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Former Inter and Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo predicts the Nerazzurri will win the derby d\u2019Italia on Sunday and insists Mario Balotelli \u2018play-acted\u2019 in an incident that cost him a red card in 2009.<\/p>\n

The Fluminense midfielder, a former player for Fiorentina, Inter and Juventus in Serie A, released an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.<\/p>\n

His ex clubs Juventus and Inter meet at the Stadio Meazza on Sunday, and the Brazilian predicts that Simone Inzaghi\u2019s team will win.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Nerazzurri are the best team in the league, but Juventus Motta\u2019s Juventus are doing big things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThiago has done an enormous job. It\u2019s a derby and anything can happen. As an Interista, I think we\u2019ll win as we play at home. Juventus will need more time, but they\u2019ll fly if they win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Felipe Melo: \u2018Balotelli play-acted, Chiellini not my friend, Inter will beat Juventus\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"Juventus'<\/picture>
Juventus\u2019 defender Giorgio Chiellini (C) reacts during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match Juventus vs Real Madrid on May 5, 2015 at the Juventus stadium in Turin. AFP PHOTO \/ MARCO BERTORELLO (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New Juventus signing Douglas Luiz is struggling to settle in Turin after a \u20ac50m transfer from Aston Villa in the summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did extraordinary things under my friend Unai Emery, but Serie A is different from the Premier League,\u201d noted Melo.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoberto Mancini\u2019s Italy won the Euros thanks to tactics. Douglas had more space [in the Premier League] and he\u2019ll become a joy for Juventus when he understands Italian football more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini, now a club director, has called Melo \u201ca bad apple\u201d, suggesting that the Brazilian midfielder lacked respect during his time in Turin.<\/p>\n

\u201cChiellini is a great professional. I was young when I arrived at Juventus, and we often argued,\u201d said Melo.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe mentioned me in his book, but I have four children. Should I argue again? We\u2019ll clear the air, but he\u2019s not a friend of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melo was sent off in a 2009 Serie A match between Inter and Juventus, when he was playing for the Old Lady.<\/p>\n

The midfielder was given his marching orders after hitting Mario Balotelli and causing a brawl that also involved Thiago Motta.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe [Balotelli] play-acted. I wouldn\u2019t even have received a yellow card with VAR,\u201d argued Melo.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese things happen in a derby, but that was the only time I argued with Thiago.\u201d<\/p>\n