15 May 2021
Juventus took an important step forward to keeping their aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League alive by defeating Inter 3-2 in the Derby d’Italia at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening, despite ending the game with 10-men. Ronaldo opened the scoring while Juan Cuadrado grabbed a brace to help the Bianconeri secure all three points.
RONALDO SCORES AFTER SAVED PENALTY
The first chance of the game fell to Juventus when Chiesa headed back Danilo’s cross into the centre of the box, Kulusevski struck it first time towards goal but it was headed away by Skriniar, who was positioned just in front of the goalline. It was the Bianconeri who were doing the majority of the attacking and they were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute after VAR judged Darmian to have brought down Chiellini in the box. Ronaldo stood up to take the kick, and despite Handanovic having saved the penalty, the Portuguese fired in on the rebound to make it 1-0.
LUKAKU COVERTS FROM THE SPOT
Ten minutes later and Inter were then awarded a penalty after VAR judged de Ligt to have clipped Lautaro’s heel inside the box. Lukaku stood up to the spot and converted by sending Szczesny the wrong way. Danilo and Kulusevski combined inside the box, only to see the Brazilian prod wide, while Chiesa saw his ferocious shot headed out by Skriniar.
A JUANDERFUL GOAL
Andrea Pirlo’s men weren’t relenting inside stoppage time and Rabiot saw his header denied by Handanovic. Their persistence paid off after they grabbed the lead through Juan Cuadrado, who struck a stunning strike on the edge of the box that looped over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
BIANCONERI DOWN TO 10-MEN
Into the second half and it was Inter who threatened first, with Lautaro blasting the ball narrowly over the target. The hosts were then reduced to 10 men when Bentancur was shown a second yellow card of the game. De Ligt made a great clearance to beat away Hakimi’s cross that was sailing towards Lautaro at the back post, before Szczesny pulled off a great save to palm away Vecino’s glancing header from point blank range.
CUADRADO SECURES VICTORY
Dramatic moments then ensued on either end of the field: Inter drew level through an own goal by Chiellini that was originally ruled out before VAR intervened. Seconds later, Juventus were awarded a second penalty in the 88th minute when Cuadrado was brought down by Perisic. The Colombian took to the penalty spot and fired home with ease to ensure the Bianconeri claimed a 3-2 victory.
Juventus XI: Szczesny; Danilo, de Ligt, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, Bentancur, Rabiot, Chiesa (Demiral 69’); Kulusevski (McKennie 57’), Ronaldo (Morata 69’)
Subs: Buffon, Pinsoglio, Bonucci, Demiral, Arthur, Ramsey, McKennie, Bernardeschi, Morata, Dybala, Felix Correia
Inter XI: Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, A Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Eriksen, Perisic; Lautaro Martinez, Lukaku
