Inter end Juve unbeaten run before magic 50 mark
Juventus's hopes of extending their unbeaten streak to 50 games were
ended in emphatic style in a 3-1 defeat to Inter Milan in the 'Derby
d'Italia' on Saturday.
In 10 previous games this season Juve had conceded only five goals as
they set out their stall for what looked like a successful defence of
their Serie A title.
But despite opening the scoring through Chilean international Arturo
Vidal in a dominant first half the Turin giants were outplayed after the
interval with Diego Milito grabbing a brace and Rodrigo Palacio firing
home their third in the 89th minute to reduce Inter's arrears to just
one point.
Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni, whose tactics and approach to this
game reportedly came under scrutiny by Juve president Beppe Marotta
prior to the match, could not hide his joy after the match: “I've heard
some ironic remarks about how we go about things,” he told Sky Sports.
“I tried to prepare for this game in the best possible way so it's
annoying to hear sarcasm from Juve before the match on Inter's tactical
approach. At the final whistle perhaps Marotta might think differently.
I just want respect.” Juve's Angelo Alessio, the stand-in coach while
Antonio Conte sits out a lengthy touchline ban, was left rueing missed
opportunities.
“Unfortunately we lost after 49 games, but Inter took their chances
and we didn't. It doesn't matter that it was Inter who did this - we
played well and had several chances to double our lead in the first
half,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“Inter didn't do much in the first half. But they will certainly be
in the Scudetto race to the end.” Juventus came out firing on all
cylinders and took the lead in the opening minute.
A textbook attack caught Inter off guard although when Ghanaian
midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah latched on to a through ball on the left the
Ghanaian midfielder was a metre offside.
Officials did not spot the infringement and when he lashed the ball
across the area Vidal slotted home past Samir Handanovic.
AFP |
