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Internazionale and Juventus treated fans to a helter-skelter 4-4 draw as the Derby d’Italia between two title challengers more than lived up to the hype.
Inter took a brief lead, then fell behind thanks to two goals in six minutes from Juventus. But that was only the starter as the hosts responded through Piotr Zielinski’s second penalty and then a stunner from Henrikh Mkhitaryan just moments apart before Denzel Dumfries finally prised a two-goal cushion.
However, the introduction of Kenan Yildiz with half an hour to go changed the game. Forming a lethal pincer attack with Francisco Conceicao on the opposite flank, the teenage Turk struck to give his side hope, then missed from point-blank range before recovering quickly to provide a well-deserved equaliser with less than 10 minutes left.
Try as they might, neither side could find a winning goal meaning Napoli may be the biggest beneficiaries of the eight-goal classic – apart from neutral fans – as they finished the weekend with a four- and five-point gap to Inter and Juventus at the top of Serie A respectively.
But what a treat this was for spectators. Marcus Thuram was a handful for the Juventus back four, winning the opening penalty thanks to his determination to reach a seemingly lost ball ahead of Danilo.
It was a kick in the teeth for the visitors, who had started more brightly as Conceicao created a chance straight from kick-off in a sign of things to come, but the Old Lady hit back almost immediately as the impressive Juan Cabal found Weston McKennie with a quarterback’s pass and the American skillfully teed up Dusan Vlahovic to score.
Another first-time finish against the helpless Yann Sommer – this time from Timothy Weah – put the visitors into the lead, though that didn’t last long either thanks to the nerveless Zielinski and Mkhitaryan.
Stefan de Vrij, Thuram, Weah and Lautaro Martinez, who had an uncharacteristically quiet game, all went close before Dumfries threatened to end the contest when his deflected shot made it 4-2.
However, after Inter failed to capitalise on a string of chances, Yildiz made them pay by coolly finishing across Sommer’s body to complete a textbook counter-attack, and he completed the recovery with the calmest of finishes to snatch a hard-fought point for Juventus.
Talking Point – Title candidates prove deadly in front of goal
Despite hopes of a revolution in Turin, Thiago Motta has very much picked up where Max Allegri left the Old Lady, marshalling a well-drilled side that’s proved difficult to break down all season.
Stuttgart threatened to expose that on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, although wastefulness in front of goal meant they needed a 92nd-minute strike to take victory at the Allianz Stadium. Juventus had conceded just one league goal all season before today, but Inter picked up where Stuttgart left off with devastating efficiency and tore apart their rivals in a costly blitz either side of half-time, exposing their rival’s defensive frailties on the biggest stage in Serie A.
Danilo has now conceded three yellow cards and two penalties in his last two games as the Nerazzurri targeted the opposing captain led by the tireless and incisive running, with and without the ball, of Thuram. Yet after Dumfries’ strike seemingly gave the hosts breathing room and Inter continued on the front foot without beating Di Gregorio a fifth time, Juventus showed their mettle to re-establish themselves in the tie and score two all-important goals.
Motta and his back four may need to go back to the drawing board, but he must be pleased with the backbone his side showed while Inter underlined their deadliness in front of goal after Simone Inzaghi recalled all his big names following the disappointing Champions League showing against Young Boys.
Player of the Match – Piotr Zielinski (Internazionale)
His calmness from the penalty spot was obviously decisive, but just as impressive was Zielinski’s seamless transition to the Hakan Calhanoglu role on his first Serie A start of the season.
While the hosts took the lead against the run of play, Zielinski’s composure at the base of midfield allowed them to reset following Weah’s strike and then dominate the game for the next 35 minutes. It was no coincidence that Inter’s best spell of the game ended when the Pole was removed after an hour, with Inter unable to retain the same control in the middle of the pitch and Yildiz – another standout candidate – made them pay.
Player Ratings
Inter: Sommer 5, Pavard 5, De Vrij 6, Bastoni 6, Dumfries 8, Barella 6, Zielinski 9, Mkhitaryan 8, Dimarco 8, Thuram 8, Martinez 7. Subs: Fratesi 5, Bisseck 5, Darmian 6, Taremi 6.
Juventus: Di Gregorio 6, Cabal 8, Kalulu 5, Danilo 5, Cambiaso 6, McKennie 7, Fagioli 6, Locatelli 6, Coneicao 8, Vlahovic 7, Weah 7. Subs: Savona 6, Yildiz 9, Mbangula 7, Gatti 6, Thuram 6.
Match Highlights
13’ PENALTY! That’s out of nowhere! Barella tries to square it into the box but doesn’t get good contact on a seemingly harmless pass. Thuram is never outworked though and cuts across Danilo, falling to the ground when contact is made after getting there first.
14’ GOAL! INTER 1-0 JUVENTUS (ZIELINSKI): It’s straight down the middle with power, as Michele Di Gregario helpfully leapt out of the way.
20’ GOAL! INTER 1-1 JUVENTUS (VLAHOVIC): Oh it’s sumptuous. In a move seemingly drawn from the NFL, Weston McKinnie peels off the backline at just the right moment, latching onto an aerial ball from deep and unselfishly passes it to Dusan Vlahovic who finishes well against the scrambling Yann Sommer. Game on!
26’ GOAL! INTER 1-2 JUVENTUS (WEAH) From trailing to leading in just 12 minutes! Marintez is robbed and Juve transition to attack superbly. Conceicao drives in from the left and finds Weah in the six-yard box, once again it’s a first touch finish from point blank range and the visitors deservedly lead!
35’ GOAL! INTER 2-2 JUVENTUS (MKHITARYAN): This game gets better and better! Henrikh Mkhitaryan plays a 1-2 with Thuram and could’ve had a go from outside the box, but takes a couple more touches to open up a better angle, then fires past the outstretched Di Gregorio.
36’ ANOTHER PENALTY! This time it’s Dumfries causing the problems, Kalulu is all out of sorts and bundles over the Dutchman, who may have handled the ball before contact…
37’ GOAL! INTER 3-2 JUVENTUS (ZIELINKSI): Ice-cold from Zielinski! He steps up once again and goes the way Di Gregorio dived for the first one. The goalkeeper reads it well but the spot-kick is so well struck that it doesn’t matter!
53’ GOAL! INTER 4-2 JUVENTUS (DUMFRIES): Danilo gets a glancing header on a corner but can’t clear it, leaving the ball to run to Dumfries. It’s not a great first touch but the Dutchman regains his composure, then fires across the goal and gets a nick off Kalulu’s heel to take the shot past Di Gregorio and into the net.
71’ GOAL! INTER 4-3 JUVENTUS (YILDIZ): McKennie reaches the fresh legs of Yildiz who runs with purpose into the penalty area, creates half a yard of space to Dumfries then shoots low across Sommer who can’t set himself and this game has life!
82’ GOAL! INTER 4-4 JUVENTUS (YILDIZ): WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS GAME?!?!? Moments after missing that chance, Yildiz bounces back in style! Conceicao lifts in a cross that misses everyone apart from the Turk at the back post. He controls it, steadies himself then fires under Sommer who maybe could’ve done better.
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