Juventus beat Inter 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino to reopen the title race once again. Goals from Felipe Melo and Claudio Marchisio gave the Bianconeri a memorable victory.
The Derby d'Italia lived up to all the pre-match expectations as fans were treated to a cracking encounter in Turin. The game featured all the action it promised but it will be the Juventus fans who celebrate into the night.
Both teams were almost at full strength with Inter only missing Wesley Sneijder and Ricardo Quaresma through injury. The game got off to a fast start as both sides attacked extensively. However the defences held up quite well and neither keeper was really troubled.
Juventus scored in the 21st minute through Felipe Melo when a Diego freekick was deflected in by his Brazilian compatriot. There was more drama as Jose Mourinho was sent off for sarcastically applauding the referee.
Melo was cautioned minutes later as he went in on Stankovic for a late tackle. The resulting freekick saw Buffon pull of a great save to deny Walter Samuel. But Inter were level minutes later as a Stankovic cross was headed in by Eto'o.
After the leveller the game continued its eager tempo but Juventus took charge of proceedings. The Bianconeri tried repeatedly to break down Inter's defence but the Nerazzuri defence held firm.
Second Half
The second half kicked-off with Inter controlling possession and looking more threatening. However, the Nerazzuri seemed to miss Sneijder desperately as they lacked that final ball.
In the 57th minute Milito found himself in space in the box and played it across for Stankovic whose shot was blocked and the resulting melee saw Buffon collect. The Italian shot stopper's quick reactions led to the goal as his throw released Marchisio who in turn found Sissoko.
Sissoko fired a powerful shot which could only be parried by Julio Cesar into Marchisio's path. The young Italian kept all his calm and composure to chip the ball over the Inter keeper to give Juve the lead in the 58th minute.
Giuseppe Baresi, Mourinho's right hand, threw on the much-maligned Balotelli to give Inter more of an attacking option. A chorus of boos greeted the Inter star as he came on.
Walter Samuel was lucky to not be recieve his second booking when he tugged back Del Piero who made some space for himself. Juve were pretty much restricted to their own half after this.
Lucio then missed a glorious opportunity as Buffon uncharacteristically misjudged a freekick and saw the ball go inches past the Brazilian's defenders outstretched leg.
A Frantic End
Martin Caceres who was having a great game almost made a hash of things as his clumsy awkward challenge saw Milito go down in the box. The ref however was not interested and waved for the game to continue.
With under ten minutes to go Inter were desperate to find an equalizer and brought on Mancini for Cambiasso. Things boiled over in the 85th minute as Felipe Melo and Balotelli fought for the ball and the former swung his elbow.
Melo was sent off for his intentions rather than their consequence and Balotelli was booked for simulation as he had gone down clutching his face when in fact there wasn't too much contact. More players got involved in the fracas but good sense luckily prevailed.
As the clock wound down Inter seemed to have run out of ideas and despite getting four minutes of added time they failed to create any chance of note.
The final whistle meant that Mourinho's men lost only for the second time this season and have only a slender lead at the top. Milan's victory over Sampdoria sees them trail their cousins by only four points.
The Derby d'Italia lived up to all the pre-match expectations as fans were treated to a cracking encounter in Turin. The game featured all the action it promised but it will be the Juventus fans who celebrate into the night.
Both teams were almost at full strength with Inter only missing Wesley Sneijder and Ricardo Quaresma through injury. The game got off to a fast start as both sides attacked extensively. However the defences held up quite well and neither keeper was really troubled.
Juventus scored in the 21st minute through Felipe Melo when a Diego freekick was deflected in by his Brazilian compatriot. There was more drama as Jose Mourinho was sent off for sarcastically applauding the referee.
Melo was cautioned minutes later as he went in on Stankovic for a late tackle. The resulting freekick saw Buffon pull of a great save to deny Walter Samuel. But Inter were level minutes later as a Stankovic cross was headed in by Eto'o.
After the leveller the game continued its eager tempo but Juventus took charge of proceedings. The Bianconeri tried repeatedly to break down Inter's defence but the Nerazzuri defence held firm.
Second Half
The second half kicked-off with Inter controlling possession and looking more threatening. However, the Nerazzuri seemed to miss Sneijder desperately as they lacked that final ball.
In the 57th minute Milito found himself in space in the box and played it across for Stankovic whose shot was blocked and the resulting melee saw Buffon collect. The Italian shot stopper's quick reactions led to the goal as his throw released Marchisio who in turn found Sissoko.
Sissoko fired a powerful shot which could only be parried by Julio Cesar into Marchisio's path. The young Italian kept all his calm and composure to chip the ball over the Inter keeper to give Juve the lead in the 58th minute.
Giuseppe Baresi, Mourinho's right hand, threw on the much-maligned Balotelli to give Inter more of an attacking option. A chorus of boos greeted the Inter star as he came on.
Walter Samuel was lucky to not be recieve his second booking when he tugged back Del Piero who made some space for himself. Juve were pretty much restricted to their own half after this.
Lucio then missed a glorious opportunity as Buffon uncharacteristically misjudged a freekick and saw the ball go inches past the Brazilian's defenders outstretched leg.
A Frantic End
Martin Caceres who was having a great game almost made a hash of things as his clumsy awkward challenge saw Milito go down in the box. The ref however was not interested and waved for the game to continue.
With under ten minutes to go Inter were desperate to find an equalizer and brought on Mancini for Cambiasso. Things boiled over in the 85th minute as Felipe Melo and Balotelli fought for the ball and the former swung his elbow.
Melo was sent off for his intentions rather than their consequence and Balotelli was booked for simulation as he had gone down clutching his face when in fact there wasn't too much contact. More players got involved in the fracas but good sense luckily prevailed.
As the clock wound down Inter seemed to have run out of ideas and despite getting four minutes of added time they failed to create any chance of note.
The final whistle meant that Mourinho's men lost only for the second time this season and have only a slender lead at the top. Milan's victory over Sampdoria sees them trail their cousins by only four points.
Milan Close The Gap
AC Milan took on Sampdoria in the first game of the evening at the San Siro. The Rossoneri have been in scintillating form of late and continued on their path with an comfortable 3-0 win.
The Diavolo took the lead in just the first couple of minutes when Ronaldinho played the perfect cross for Borriello to head in his fourth of the season.
The former World Player of the Year who has been rediscovering his touch of late was at the center of the second goal as well. He played a one-two with Seedorf who scored in the 22nd minute.
Two became three just moments later as Pato took two bites of the cherry before scoring Milan's third and effectively killing off the contest.
The second half was played at a pedestrian pace as Milan conserved themselves for their Champions League tie in the midweek. Luigi Del Neri however will be worried by his Sampdoria team player's as the team risks slipping out of the top four after having made such a positive start to the season.
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