04 February 2024
Juventus lost for the first time in 20 games in both league and cup with a 1-0 defeat at Inter.
The game’s only goal arrived after 37 minutes when Federico Gatti touched the ball into his own net. The defender came close to grabbing an equaliser in the second half, but his powerful shot went wide.
Wojciech Szczesny produced two world-class saves to keep Juventus in the game but the Bianconeri failed to find an equalising goal.
THE MATCH
The tactical chess match that is the Derby d’Italia saw neither goalkeeper make a save in the first half but that did not detract from the absorbing spectacle that unfolded under the floodlights at San Siro.
An immense recovery tackle by Bremer denied Marcus Thuram a tap-in on 24 minutes, a scare that sparked a reply from Juventus.
Weston McKennie set off on a slaloming run into Inter territory with Kenan Yildiz and Dusan Vlahovic in support. The midfielder opted for the latter, who belied his 2024 form, unable to take the ball in his stride and the chance went begging.
Another important tackle at the edge of the penalty area, this time by Danilo, set off another Bianconeri counter attack. Andrea Cambiaso’s run allowed him to feed the ball to Filip Kostic, whose cross was blocked for a corner.
The five-minute spell of end-to-end play ended with Inter taking the lead. A cross from Nicolò Barella invited Benjamin Pavard to attempt a scissors kick. The ball bounced into the six-yard box, where Federico Gatti, under pressure from Thuram, turned the ball into his own net.
The second half saw Inter come close to adding to their lead, especially from a Hakan Calhanoglou volley which struck the outside of the post.
With an hour on the clock, Juve sowed panic in the Nerazzurri defence. Adrien Rabiot assisted Yildiz, who turned the ball into the path of Kostic, whose drive found no takers inside the Inter penalty area.
The Bianconeri kept up the pressure, and a Bremer header from a corner was controlled on the chest by Vlahovic, but his overhead kick finished high.
On 67’ Gatti almost made amends. A powerful shot from the edge of the area whistled wide of Yan Sommer’s far post.
Two minutes later, Wojciech Szczesny pulled off a huge block to keep out a close-range volley from Barella.
The closing phase of the game saw both side’s tire and turn to the bench for fresh legs. Federico Chiesa and Tim Weach were introduced but with Inter sitting more deeply to defend their lead, neither found the space to exploit their speed.
With three minutes of normal time remaining, again Szczesny kept the scoreline within touching distance for Juve with an incredible save to deny Marko Arnautovic, but with even five minutes of time added on the Bianconeri could not break down the Inter backline.
INTER 1-0 JUVENTUS (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: 37′ Gatti (o.g.)
INTER: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni (88′ De Vrij); Darmian (72′ Dumfries), Barella (88′ Klaassen), Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco (72′ Carlos Augusto); Thuram (76′ Arnautovic), Lautaro. Subs not used: Di Gennaro, Audero, Sensi, Klaassen, Frattesi, Buchanan, Asllani, Bisseck, Sanchez. Coach: Inzaghi.
JUVENTUS: Szczesny; Gatti (87′ Alex Sandro), Bremer, Danilo; Cambiaso (87′ Miretti) , McKennie (89′ Alcaraz), Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic (65′ Weah); Vlahovic, Yildiz (65′ Chiesa). Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Perin, Alex Sandro, Iling Jr, Rugani, Djalo, Nicolussi Caviglia, Nonge. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Maresca
Bookings: 18′ Vlahovic, 32′ Danilo. 50′ Mkhitaryan, 76′ Thuram
