MILAN - Everything happened at San Siro on matchday 35 of the Serie A TIM season in the match between Inter and Juventus. The Nerazzurri left the pitch beaten 3-2 in a match that was full of incidents and after having played most of the game with ten men. Spalletti’s team remain on 66 points in the table, four behind Roma and one behind Lazio who face Torino.
The atmosphere at San Siro was fiery and the teams didn’t hold back from the opening whistle. Five minutes in, the first yellow card was shown when Cuadrado tripped Perisic. The Bianconeri were dangerous in the 12th minute when a Mandzukic header was cleared by Skriniar inside the six-yard box. 60 seconds later, they took the lead. Cuadrado crossed it deep, Matuidi failed to touch it and it fell to Douglas Costa who beat Handanovic with a powerful strike. The referee went to VAR to confirm it was a good goal and the Brazilian’s strike stood. The key incident was on 15 minutes. Vecino was booked for a late challenge on Mandzukic but following the use of VAR, the referee changed his decision and showed a straight red card to the Uruguayan. Spalletti was forced to make running repairs and Inter switched to a 4-4-1 formation with Candreva and Perisic out wide. Inevitably, the match became jittery and Pjanic was booked for dissent on 21 minutes and he risked being shown a second yellow a few minutes later for a foul on Rafinha. In the 29th minute, Candreva put Juventus hearts in mouthes with a powerful strike from 30 metres that Buffon just about tipped out for a corner. Considering all the stoppages, the referee awarded six minutes of additional time. In the 50th minute, Matiuidi scored following a mix-up in the area but VAR was used again and the goal was disallowed for offside. The first half came to a close with Inter a goal and a man down.
There were no changes at the break. Inter started with their heads to the ground in search of an equaliser which came despite the man disadvantage. In the 52 minute, Icardi’s header from a Cancelo cross left Buffon with no chance. The Nerazzurri bravely continued to push on. In the 58th minute, D’Ambrosio was booked for his complaints after the referee decided not to book Pjanic again for a foul on Rafinha. Allegri brought Dybala on for Khedira. In the 63rd minute, Higuain missed a huge chance. He was set up by Alex Sandro, rounded Handanovic but then incredibly missed the target with his left foot.
Inter then went ahead a few moments after. Perisic showed great persistence down the left, his low cross was then turned by Barzagli into his own net. The 78,000 fans at San Siro exploded with joy as the ten men of Inter were ahead. Spalletti’s team continued to look for a third. In the 76th minute, Candreva got away on the right but his Icardi just failed to get onto the end of his teasing cross. In the final moments when it all seemed set to come to a close, it was time for some cruel late drama. In the 87th minute, Cuadrardo made his way into the box and his cross struck the unfortunate Skriniar and made its way into Handanovic’s goal. Two minutes later, Juventus went ahead. Higuain headed in from a Dybala free kick. It was unbelievable but true. Inter went off beaten in the most painful way possible.
Now, there are three matches left in the race for Champions League and Inter will need three wins and we’ll need to see the same Inter that we saw tonight at San Siro.
Now and forever, #ForzaInter!
INTER 2-3 JUVENTUS
Goals: 13' Douglas Costa (J), 52' Icardi (I), 65’ og. Barzagli (I), 87’ og. Skriniar (I), 89' Higuain (J)
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 7 Cancelo, 37 Skriniar, 25 Miranda, 33 D'Ambrosio (93' 17 Karamoh); 11 Vecino, 77 Brozovic; 87 Candreva, 8 Rafinha (81' 20 B. Valero), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi (85' 21 Santon)
Bench: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 2 Lisandro, 13 Ranocchia, 23 Eder, 29 Dalbert, 99 Pinamonti
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
JUVENTUS: 1 Buffon; 7 Cuadrado, 24 Rugani, 15 Barzagli, 12 Alex Sandro; 6 Khedira (61' 10 Dybala), 5 Pjanic (80' 30 Bentancur), 14 Matuidi; 11 Douglas Costa, 9 Higuain, 11 Mandzukic (66' 33 Bernardeschi)
Bench: 23 Szczesny, 16 Pinsoglio, 3 Chiellini, 4 Benatia, 8 Marchisio, 21 Howedes, 22 Asamoah, 26 Lichtsteiner
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri
Bookings: Cuadrado (J), Pjanic (J), Barzagli (J), Mandzukic (J), D'Ambrosio (I), Alex Sandro (J), Brozovic (I)
Red Card: 18' Vecino (I)
Stoppage Time: 6' + 5'
Referee: Orsato
Assistants: Di Fiore e Manganelli
Fourth Official: Tagliavento
VAR Operators: Valeri, Giallatini, Di Jorio
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