Juventus came out on top in a dramatic Derby d’Italia, beating Inter 4–3 thanks to a late strike from Adžić after a frantic second half. The match swung back and forth with standout goals from Çalhanoğlu and Yildiz, but defensive lapses proved costly for Inter. In this piece, Israel Schmidt de Azevedo explores the key tactical themes that shaped the contest.
Juventus v Inter started lively, with Barella striking a first-time shot from outside the area that went just wide of the post after a deflected cross in the 4th minute.
Inter looked to build from the back, progressing through Juventus’ mid-block with Acerbi central, flanked by Bastoni and Akanji spread wide across the pitch. Çalhanoğlu dropped close to Acerbi to receive the ball and act as the creative hub in midfield. Barella and Mkhitaryan pushed centrally, looking to connect transitions.
Dumfries and Carlos Augusto advanced from wing-backs into winger roles, while Lautaro drifted around Thuram, who stayed more central as a fixed centre-forward but occasionally shifted slightly right. At times, Barella moved higher to form a third attacker on the opposite side of Lautaro.
Juventus responded with a mid-block press, starting with a front two of Vlahović and Yildiz. Behind them, almost on the halfway line, a four-man unit formed: Lloyd Kelly at left wing-back, Koopmeiners and Locatelli as central midfielders, and Thuram covering the right wing-back role.
In the defensive line, Kalulu and McKennie dropped from wing-back into full-back positions, with Bremer and Gatti as the centre-backs.
In possession, Juventus pushed Vlahović high as the main striker, with Yildiz floating around him. McKennie and Kalulu stretched the width as wide players, while Locatelli and Koopmeiners operated as central midfielders.
Just behind them, another four-man line provided pressing support and circulation. Thuram shifted from central midfield back into a left wing-back role, while Bremer and Lloyd Kelly acted almost as high centre-backs, with Gatti holding wider on the right.
In the 14th minute, Locatelli chipped a cross to the far side of the area. Bremer controlled and delivered a first-time cross back across goal, where Lloyd Kelly met it with a clean finish to score Juventus’ opener and his first goal for the club.
In the 29th minute, after a deflected cross, the ball fell to Locatelli who struck it first time from outside the area. The effort deflected off Mkhitaryan and then Çalhanoğlu, narrowly missing Sommer’s right post.
A minute later, Mkhitaryan found Carlos Augusto, who shaped to shoot on his right but instead laid it off to Çalhanoğlu. From outside the box, the midfielder unleashed a powerful first-time strike into the net to level the score.
Embed from Getty ImagesÇalhanoğlu tried his luck twice more soon after, though neither effort troubled Juventus. Then, in the 38th minute, Bremer pierced Inter’s lines with a first-time pass to Yildiz. The youngster controlled while spinning towards goal and unleashed a thunderous strike from distance, beating Sommer low into the right corner to restore Juventus’ lead.
In the 65th minute, Bastoni’s cross was met by Thuram, who won the aerial duel but couldn’t direct the ball on target. Bremer then rose above Bonny to win the second header, sending the ball towards Zieliński, who nodded it down to Çalhanoğlu. The Turk chested it and fired a powerful cross-shot into the net, equalising with a stunning strike.
At 76 minutes, Dimarco delivered a well-placed corner, and Thuram rose highest to head Inter into the lead for the first time in the match.
Embed from Getty ImagesInter looked in control as the second half wore on, but everything changed in the 82nd minute. Yildiz whipped in a free-kick, and this time it was Thuram who conceded the aerial duel, heading into his own net to make it 3–3.
In stoppage time, Jonathan David slipped a pass to Adžić, who unleashed a powerful strike from long range. Sommer fumbled, and Juventus snatched the winner at 91 minutes.
The Derby d’Italia ended as a thrilling contest, but Juventus claimed the decisive victory. Inter dominated large spells of the second half yet still struggle against compact, defensive sides, lacking a one-on-one dribbler to break lines. Lookman seemed the answer, but negotiations collapsed. Juventus, meanwhile, were defensively solid and clinical with their chances, making the most of key moments to secure the win.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Israel Schmidt de Azevedo
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