Inter at Juve height. This could be the title relating to Derby d'Italia number 222. A draw is undoubtedly the fairest result, even if the 1-1 final doesn't do justice to the protagonists, authors of a truly beautiful and exciting match. As expected on the eve, the teams faced each other head-on, placing all their respective weapons on the San Siro lawn: high pressure and aggression for Juve, compactness, organization and counterattacks for Inter. Two different ways of understanding the same game system (3-5-2 or 3-5-1-1, whatever you prefer), but heart, rhythm and running in common. That's why the greatest applause goes to Inter and certainly not because of Juve's demerits: raise your hand if, just a month ago, you would have thought that the Nerazzurri could keep up with the Italian champions.
“We stood up to the first in the class – a radiant Walter Mazzarri rejoices -. I was interested in us keeping the pitch like this against a team of that level, and in the second half we even tried to win...".
“I think Inter can aspire to a top championship – echoes Antonio Conte -. But we confirmed ourselves as a tough team, hard to defeat ”. Yes, because Juve didn't play in tone, on the contrary! And when the game seemed lost, he pulled off his usual grown-up reaction. In this (as well as in the technical rate of some interpreters) the distance between the two can still be seen, but on the other hand the Conte project is in its third year, Mazzarri's in its third month.
The first half began under the banner of Juve, which forced Inter to lower their center of gravity a lot thanks to the pressure and thrust from the wingers. But that's exactly how the Nerazzurri prepared it, and in fact they are the ones who create the best chances. Above all that of Nagatomo, who forces Buffon to make a super save, but also Taider's left foot creates a bit of confusion. The black and whites manage the ball better, but can only be seen when Pirlo lights up for Pogba, whose shot is blocked by Handanovic.
The show isn't so much in the scoring chances, but in the pace (really high, nothing to envy to the Premier and the Bundesliga) and in the tactical battle between the two coaches. That in the second half move the strings of the match as if they were puppeteers, until the episode that shuffles the cards arrives. Chiellini unfortunately loses a ball on which Alvarez pounces, the Argentine (until then rather dull) opens very well for Icardi, who chills Buffon with an unstoppable right foot.
For the former Doriano, who recently took over from Taider, it is the first goal in the league with an Inter shirt. Juve could feel the pinch, but they are reacting brilliantly. Asamoah leaves only the dust to Jonathan and Vidal, in a handkerchief (also thanks to Guarin's "gentle" marking), turns around and beats Handanovic. It's 1-1, a result that doesn't change anymore, despite Tevez (left foot out of nothing) and Isla (mistake sills) have the chances to make them the match. “I saw that my Juve played an excellent game – thought Conte. – They can only concentrate on the championship, we leave for Copenhagen tomorrow (today for the reader, ed). We went down by a goal, there I saw a lot of anger and a great reaction, and in the final we could even make it 2-1".
A lot of satisfaction also for Mazzarri, so far the true top player in the Nerazzurri squad: “The boys are going beyond our wildest expectations, we must continue like this. Scudetto? These arguments are not made, for now we are under construction, we will see later…”. Yeah, we'll see. But if good morning starts in the morning, Inter and Juventus risk finding themselves, in a few months, playing much more than a match.
