MILAN – Inter fought back from a goal down to beat reigning champions Juventus 2-1 at a pulsating, sold-out San Siro on Sunday evening.
In a scintillating contest, Stephan Lichtsteiner gave Juventus the lead 20 minutes into the second half despite the Nerazzurri dominating the majority of the play. Yet Mauro Icardi hit straight back to draw Inter level, before Ivan Perisic headed home a deserved winner on 78 minutes to send the fans wild.
The tempo was fierce from the off, the San Siro faithful roaring their support for the men in black and blue. Inter’s first chance came on nine minutes, Icardi flicking on Ever Banega’s cross only to watch it fly just past the post.
Banega was again involved seconds later, robbing the ball in midfield and slipping in Eder, who drew a smart save from Gigi Buffon in the Juventus goal.
The visitors were forced into an early change of 25 minutes as Mehdi Benatia had to be replaced by Andrea Barzagli,
Juventus sprung into life as the half wore on, Alex Sandro whipping in an excellent across for Sami Khedira in the centre, but it was a let off for Inter as the German headed straight into Handanovic’s arms.
Inter’s best chance of the match arrived shortly afterwards: Icardi showed fantastic strength to shrug of Bonucci and Chiellini on the left of the box, before unleashing a sumptuous curled effort towards the far corner only for the post to deny him.
There were no changes at half time, as Inter set about picking up from where they left off before the break. The Nerazzurri were pressing Juventus high up the pitch, forcing them into the kind of mistakes we seldom see from the five-time reigning champions.
Icardi had two good chances thwarted by the Juventus backline, but it was Antonio Candreva who had San Siro on its feet on 63 minutes: Icardi played the ball over to the Italian at the back post, Candreva striking the ball on the volley but sending it just past the post from an acute angle.
Juventus were rattled, Inter heartened, San Siro thumping.
And yet it was Juventus who drew first blood. Alex Sandro scampered away from Danilo D’Ambrosio on the left, fizzing a cross into the danger area for Stephan Lichtsteiner to stab home.
It was a blow for Inter, but the side refused to panic and quickly won a corner down the other end. Banega fired it in towards Icardi, the Argentine getting up higher than Mario Mandzukic to head past the helpless Buffon for 1-1.
With San Siro roaring the Nerazzurri on, Frank de Boer’s men streamed forward in search of a winner. The fans didn’t have to wait long.
On 77 minutes, Candreva won the ball on the right flank and played in Icardi, who produced a magnificent outside-of-the-boot cross to allow Ivan Perisic – on for Eder – to head home. Inter were ahead!
The stadium was in raptures by now, but there was still work to do on the pitch. And when Ever Banega was sent off for two quick yellows, the nerves started to creep in.
Yet Inter kept their heads – as De Boer had asked after the midweek defeat to Hapoel – and kept Juventus at bay for the remaining minutes, including six in added time.
The final whistle brought a roar from the fans – and sparked wonderful celebrations on the pitch.
INTER 2-1 JUVENTUS (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Lichtsteiner 66, Icardi 68, Perisic 78.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 21 Santon (Miangue 78); 6 Joao Mario, 17 Medel (Melo 75); 87 Candreva, 19 Banega, 23 Eder (Perisic 69); 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 7 Kondogbia, 8 Palacio, 10 Jovetic, 11 Biabiany, 13 Ranocchia, 27 Gnoukouri, 44 Perisic, 55 Nagatomo, 94 Yao.
Coach: Frank de Boer.
JUVENTUS: 1 Buffon; 4 Benatia (Barzagli 25), 19 Bonucci, 3 Chiellini (Pjaca 80); 26 Lichtsteiner, 6 Khedira, 22 Asamoah, 5 Pjanic, 12 Alex Sandro; 17 Mandzukic (Higuain 73), 21 Dybala.
Subs not used: 25 Neto, 32 Audero, 7 Cuadrado, 11 Hernanes, 18 Lemina, 23 Dani Alves, 24 Rugani, 33 Evra.
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
Yellow cards: Lichtsteiner 19, Barzaghi 28, Asamoah 45+1, Medel 47, Banega 80, 90.
Red cards: Banega 90.
Added time: 1 + 5 minutes.
Referee: Tagliavento.
Assistants: Passeri, Costanzo.
Fourth official: Cariolato.
Additional assistants: Banti, Valeri.
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LE PAROLE DI DE BOER POST INTER JUVENTUS
