Juve takes on Inter

TURIN, 5 December 2009 – Juventus reopened a championship that seemed already in the bag for Inter Milan at the beginning of December. The Bianconeri won 2-1 at the Olimpico, with goals from Chiellini and Marchisio. Eto’o scored for Inter. It was a charged, proud and sometimes even fierce Bianconero side, of the “I want it, I really want it” kind, as evidenced by the determination showed by Cáceres, Chiellini and Sissoko. They managed to take home three points and they are now 5 points behind Mourinho’s side in the standings. The Nerazzurro boss was sent off this evening and paid dearly for getting angry with the referee. Above all, there are three teams in the race for the title; Leonardo’s “ball and creativity” Milan are on second place, 4 points behind the leader. Inter paid for Maicon’s and Sneijder’s absence and seemed to be less “hungry” in what turned out to be an even match, determined by isolated events, especially by a brilliant move from Marchisio that will make Lippi gloat when thinking of the National side. It was a nervous, very physical and at times also poor match, with too many hand-to-hand incidents like Melo’s early dismissal after slashing Balotelli’s leg.

Penalties The onset of the game was defined by a couple of claimed penalties, the first of which would have been on Juve. The Bianconeri claimed a penalty for Muntari’s foul on Sissoko, who was unbalanced when he shot on 5 minutes. Later on, it was Inter’s turn to claim a penalty for Cannavaro’s challenge on Samuel. Saccani let the game continue.

Blow and response The game was open. Juve were obliged by their 8 point deficit in the standings to attack and Inter replied to every Bianconero move with a move of their own. Both squads played on the right wing; Juve with Cáceres and Sissoko, who were very dynamic, and Inter with Stankovic and Milito, who went long to push Grosso and restrict him to a numerical inferiority. On 20 minutes, Juve opened the score with Diego’s free-kick from the right that reached the man behind the mask, Chiellini. His shot was deflected by Lucio and Julio Cesar couldn’t stop it. 1-0. Mourinho lost his temper and was sent off for protesting the free-kick call. Juve didn’t even have enough time to savour the lead and try to use the spaces in counterattack when Inter scored the equaliser. Buffon had already made a good save on Samuel, but couldn’t do anything on 26 minutes when Stankovic’s cross from the right found Eto’o alone in the centre of the area and the striker headed it in. 1-1. After an intense first half-hour, with plenty of running and agony and frequent changes in ball possession, the pace of the match slowed down a bit. At the end of a physical and enjoyable first-half, it was 1-1 on the score.

Super Marchisio The beginning of the second half of the football match was a bit nervous, in fits and starts. The squads lost strength and their moves were affected by that; they turned their engines on and off, playing more based on nerves than on their legs, in gusts. That’s when the prowess of one man became the turning point of the match. Inter were very close to a 2-1 and in the counterattack, Marchisio took off, sent it long for Sissoko, whose shot was denied by Julio Cesar, and Marchisio—who had followed the move—had enough time to dribble and go past Lucio, finishing it in with a left-kick. It was 2-1 for the home team and the Olimpico became bedlam.

Balotelli on On 15 minutes, Mario came onto the pitch. He was harshly attacked by the Bianconero fans at the Olimpico, already before the beginning of the match, even if some of the chants against him were booed by some of the Bianconero fans. Inter attacked strongly, furiously, but Juve now had all the inertia in their favour, both on a psychological and tactical level; and they held strong. Samuel risked a second yellow card for a foul on Del Piero and later Inter protested a penalty that wasn’t called for Cáceres’ foul on Milito. At the end a brawl broke out when Melo elbowed Balotelli. Many lost their temper and it was all against all in midfield, with plenty of scuffles and hands all over. Even Buffon lost his cool; Melo was sent off and Balotelli was booked. The game ended with an attack from Inter, in numerical advantage. Materazzi came onto the pitch and played centre forward in the stoppage time. Inter charged on like a bull, but to no avail. The race for the title is still open.