31 January 2024
A super match awaits on Sunday evening at San Siro as Juventus take on Inter, in a clash of the titans filled with many memories. Spectacular matches, heated rivalries and top-class goals - this fixture has it all. In the build-up to this mouth-watering clash, we rewind to the night of 12 February 2006. An entire book would not be enough to tell the story of the Italian derbies of that time, and event today, the situation still remains the same: whether it is for the Scudetto, pride or something else, an Inter-Juve clash is never just a normal match.
STARS ON SHOW
We're in the season just before the World Cup, and it's a parade of stars on the green carpet of the Meazza: rereading those formations seems like a small treasure chest of precious pearls. Fabio Capello's Juventus is dominating the championship, Inter are nice points behind and desperately need three points to keep the flame of the championship chase burning.
The Bianconeri start with a Trezegol-Ibra attack, while Mancini instead chooses Martins to partner Adriano. The match remains deadlocked in the opening stages, the two defenses solid as both teams patiently waited for attacking opportunities. A few flashes from the acrobatic Martins and a shot from Emerson saved by Julio Cesar are the only notes from a cagey first half.
ADRIANO'S DISALLOWED GOAL
The half seems to be at its end, but towards the 45th minute there's a spark: Inter wins a free kick from 25 metres out, within striking range of Adriano's lethal left foot: the Emperor takes a run-up, aims the ball with his blinders on and unleashes an unstoppable shot. Inter take the lead, the Nerazzurri supporters rejoice, but there is an arm raised. It's that of the referee Paparesta - it was in fact an indirect free-kick, so the goal won't count. Buffon is spared his blushes and the teams take refuge in the locker rooms at 0-0.
CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
The second half sees Inter raise their attacking intent, yet the Nerazzurri's pressing turns into a trap as Juve exploits the space on the counterattack and breaks the deadlock in the 63rd minute. Camoranesi beats Burdisso on the right, putting in a cross for Ibrahimovic, who is able to free himself from his marker and beat Julio Cesar to make it 0-1 for Juventus. The two coaches then play their cards from the bench: Del Piero comes on for Ibra and Cruz comes on for Martins. Inter refuse to give up and the equaliser comes from Figo's corner, finding Samuel who finishes into the corner. With about a quarter of an hour to go it's still 1-1 at San Siro. All in all, the draw doesn't displease Capello's charges who manage the home team's impetus, remaining solid and compact in the closing stages of the game. In the 85th minutem, however, they manage to break, earning a foul a few meters outside the Inter area.
The captain goes to place the ball, in front of him is a wall that is difficult to get around, so an innovative solution is needed. Del Piero steps up and kicks a ferocious strike. The curve is deadly, Julio Cesar takes a step to the right, it's in the wrong direction... by the time he re-adjusts, the net is bulging and lightning has struck. The Bianconeri are back in front as Pinturicchio sticks out his tongue, an iconic moment that will leave an indelible frame in the mind of every Juventus fan.
