28 April 2018
Fino alla fine. It’s the never-say-die mantra of the Bianconeri and we saw it again on display Saturday night at a sold out San Siro as Juventus found two goals in the last five minutes of the match to seal a stunning 2-3 comeback win in the Derby d’Italia over Inter.
The Bianconeri led at the break from a Douglas Costa goal, before the home side re-took the lead in the second half through Mauro Icardi and an own-goal from Andrea Barzagli. The Old Lady refused to be beaten and tied the game up in the 87th minute through Juan Cuadrado’s deflected effort before Gonzalo Higuain scored the all-important match winner two minutes later to complete a sensational turnaround in Milan!
It was a packed cauldron awaiting the Bianconeri in Milan, but Juve didn’t show any signs of it affecting them, as they started the match on the front foot threatening the Inter goal with a couple of early chances. La Vecchia Signora wouldn’t have to wait long for their opener as in the 13th minute, Juan Cuadrado swung in a great cross from the right-hand side with Blaise Matuidi flicking it into the path of Douglas Costa. The Brazilian winger volleyed home first time to give Juve a stunning lead.
There was to be another big moment in the match just minutes later as Uruguyan midfielder Vecino went in a for a strong challenge that caught Mario Mandzukic on the ankle. After the referee initially issued a booking, he changed it to a red card after consulting with VAR to leave Inter with 10 men.
Just before the end of the half, Blaise Matuidi thought he had made it two but his goal was correctly ruled out for an offside decision.
Despite dominating the game for a large spell, Juve was pegged back early in the second period as Mauro Icardi got his head to Joao Cancelo free-kick to tie the game. The momentum swung back in Inter’s favour and the ever-strengthening pressure to the Bianconeri defence saw the home side go in front on 65 minutes. Ivan Perisic fought his way into the box on Juve’s right side and after getting past a Cuadrado challenge the Croatian put in a low cross that Andrea Barzagli turned into his net as Inter made it 2-1.
As it looked like Juventus could be dropping all-important points, that never-say-die attitude once again showed itself.
Juventus rallied, going on the attack to try and draw level. The moment finally happened with 87 minutes on the clock as Cuadrado played a one-two with second half substitute Paulo Dybala. The Colombian slotted past Samir Handanovic from the narrowest of angles to get Juve back in it with plenty of time left on the clock.
The best was still to come as moments later Federico Bernardeschi was fouled 25 yards from goal. Dybala stepped up whipping in a great cross from the free-kick to the left of the Inter box and Gonzalo Higuain got on the end of it to head home and send the away section into eurphoria as the Bianconeri completed a stunning turnaround to win the game 2-3.
The Bianconeri extend their lead at the top of the table back to four points with Napoli to play Fiorentina in Florence tomorrow night as the season reaches a crescendo. Juve will next be in action whent they take on Bologna at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday 5 May (20:45 CEST) knowing that they will remain in control of their destiny in the title race.
