TURIN – Not even Inter could halt the Bianconeri's unbeaten run, at the Juventus Stadium. The late kick-off in Week 29 of Serie A 2011/12 finished 2-0.
Three chances, all of which fell for Inter through Maicon, Forlan and Stankovic, as the Nerazzurri dominated the first period, with Julio Cesar only called into action on 17 minutes to thwart Matri. It was Juventus, however, who took the lead in the second half, as Caceres headed in from Pirlo's corner and Inter had it all to do. Conte sent on fresh legs and it was Del Piero who doubled the lead on 71 minutes.
FIRST HALF - The whole Bianconeri atmosphere told of Scudetti and Calciopoli. Ranieri on the other hand only spoke about football and he made two changes from the game against Atalanta, preferring Stankovic to Cambiasso and playing Forlan instead of Pazzini. Juventus fielded a three-pronged attack with Pepe, Matri and Vucinic.
After observing a minute's silence for Michele Silvestri, the sergeant who lost his life in Afghanistan, the match kicked off. Inter bared their teeth from the whistle. But Inter let their opponents build up a dangerous attack in the 4th minute, when Obi and Nagatomo clashed, allowing Pepe to send a ball into the box: Julio Cesar stretched to save at the second attempt. Power and speed were the keywords in this match at the Juventus Stadium, with Milito creating chances and winning a corner in the 10th minute after Maicon's cross was deflected by Chiellini.
The corner came to nothing but the first real chance of the game came on 14 minutes. Maicon nipped in to win it ahead of Vucinic, then played in Milito and the Prince produced a solid right-footed shot which Buffon saved at the second attempt, conceding a corner.
Juventus responded on 17 minutes. Caceres' long ball found Matri who headed at goal but Julio Cesar was alert to the danger and the Nerazzurri keeper punched the ball to safety. Caceres was again the creator in the 25th minute. He played the ball back for Matri who went for goal on the turn but sent it over the crossbar. Two minutes later it was Vucinic who missed in front of goal after Pepe's cross and Caceres' miscued header, but again it was Inter who had the chance to take the lead. From Maicon's corner it was Forlan who rose highest to flick a header at the near post, only to see Buffon claw the ball away with his right hand (28 minutes). Inter's third chance came in the 32nd minute. Stankovic hit a long ball for Milito, who brought the ball down beautifully, before shooting with his right. Buffon parried but the Argentine didn't give up, and had another effort but it finished over the crossbar. The entire Inter side created, defended and invented very well, as did Obi when on 36 minutes he shot from range with his left, forcing Buffon to punch the ball away. 7 minutes before the interval Milito was impeded by Chiellini when through on goal but referee De Marco saw nothing wrong and let play continue. Stankovic found the target after 41 minutes after the ball was deflected by Barzagli, and he hit a right-footed volley which nearly surprised Buffon, who put the ball out for a corner. With no added time to be played, the sides went in at the interval with the scores 0-0.
SECOND HALF – No changes at the start of the second half. It was still goalless at the restart but the Bianconeri went close after 6 minutes through Pepe but Samuel was there to put the ball behind. Conte made a double change in the 53rd minute - withdrawing Pepe for Bonucci and sending on Del Piero for Matri – and freshened up his troops, particularly Marchisio and Caceres. The midfielder shot from distance with his right but there was Julio Cesar who brilliantly tipped the ball over for a corner. The goalkeeper had no answer to the Uruguayan's header though, as he got in first to score the opening goal following a corner from Pirlo. Ranieri, too, made changes on 67 minutes, introducing Faraoni and Pazzini, but it was Vucinic who went for goal, as he squandered the chance to double the lead. He found himself one on one with Julio Cesar but shot straight at the goalkeeper who came out well. Del Piero scored where Vucinic failed. From Vidal's pass he side-footed into the net for 2-0. Quagliarella spurned the chance to make it 3-0 after 78 minutes. The striker tried to tap in at the back post following a pass from Chiellini, but Maicon stretched and blocked with his body. 5 minutes from time it was Julio Cesar who prevented the third goal, as he turned Chiellini's header away for a corner. After 3 minutes of stoppage time, it finished Juventus 2-0 Inter. Great effort, courage and spirit shown by the Nerazzurri but ultimately the Bianconeri came out on top and Inter remain on 41 points.
Juventus-Inter 2-0 (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Caceres 57, Del Piero 71.
Juventus: 1 Buffon; 4 Caceres, 15 Barzagli, 3 Chiellini, 11 De Ceglie; 22 Vidal, 21 Pirlo, 8 Marchisio; 7 Pepe (Bonucci 53), 32 Matri (Del Piero 53), 14 Vucinic (Quagliarella 74).
Subs not used: 30 Storari, 20 Padoin, 34 Marrone, 23 Borriello.
Coach: Antonio Conte.
Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 23 Samuel, 55 Nagatomo; 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic, 18 Poli (Pazzini 67), 20 Obi (Faraoni 67); 9 Forlan, 22 Milito.
Subs not used: 12 Castellazzi, 23 Ranocchia, 26 Chivu, 14 Guarin, 19 Cambiasso.
Coach: Claudio Ranieri.
Referee: Andrea De Marco (Chiavari).
Booked: Nagatomo 34, Poli 45, De Ceglie 75.
Added time: 0+3 minutes.
