Inter vs Juventus, emotions and victories: memories from the Derby d'Italia

How can you tell the story of a match like Inter vs Juventus? A match unlike any other, which has left unforgettable marks in the history of Italian football, through winners, matches and episodes that light the way throughout the narrative, like milestones marking the path.

Inter and Juventus, the Derby d'Italia: this history has always been inextricably intertwined with that of the championship and its evolution, from the dawn of Italian football to the present day. A fixture that has seen 248 matches in total, 182 in the Serie A since 1929/30. The tally sees Juventus ahead with 87 wins, 46 draws and 49 victories for Inter.

The Nerazzurri have triumphed on 37 occasions in Milan: ahead of the match at San Siro, happening on Sunday 27 October, let's relive the Nerazzurri's best home matches against Juventus since 2000.

THE EARLY 2000S

At the beginning of the new century, Inter and Juventus battled out hard-fought matches full of goals: in the 2001/02 season, the match at San Siro ended 2-2 with an outstanding brace by Clarence Seedorf, the Dutchman's second goal coming in second-half added time. This was repeated the following year, when Inter equalized in the 95th minute: Recoba's corner caused a wild melee in the box, with Francesco Toldo also involved. The goalkeeper's touch was decisive, even if the goal was awarded to Vieri, who got the last touch on the ball, giving Inter a last-gasp equaliser. However, in 2003/04 season, the Nerazzurri returned to winning ways: Inter took the lead early on thanks to Martins' goal, before conceding an equalier and then retaking the lead again through Vieri and Stankovic. Di Vaio's goal gave Inter a scare in the closing stages, but they held on to run out 3-2 winners.

THE YEAR OF INTER: THE SUCCESSES OF 2010

Four years later, Inter achieved another success against the Bianconeri: the Nerazzurri, winners of the last three Scudettos, faced a rising Juventus in the Derby d'Italia of 2008/09. The match was very close: an unexpected hero was needed to win the three points. In the 74th minute Sulley Muntari pounced on a missed shot from Ibrahimovic: his shot, not very clean in terms of technique, surprised Manninger and went into the net, giving Inter the victory.

In the 2009/10 season, the Inter side that won the Triplete won twice against Juventus at San Siro. The first success came in January, in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia, played in a single match: the Bianconeri took the lead with a goal by Diego, but in the second half Inter overturned the result thanks to goals by Lucio and Mario Balotelli.

The league match was played on 16 April: four days before the first leg of the semi-final against Barcelona, Inter had to win to stay close in the wake of Roma, who had taken the lead. The match was deadlocked, magic was needed: that's when Maicon scored one of the most beautiful goals in Nerazzurri history, volleying on the edge of the area. Eto'o‘s goal secured the win for good.

THE FEAT OF 2016

Inter experienced a difficult season in 2016/17: after being defeated in two of their first four matches of the season between the league and Europa League, the Nerazzurri hosted Juventus at San Siro, fresh from five consecutive Scudetti. Inter played a game of great sacrifice and dedication, but in the 67th minute Juventus took the lead through Lichtsteiner's goal. However, the Nerazzurri reacted immediately and after two minutes Mauro Icardi equalised for Inter. In the closing minutes Ivan Perisic scored the final 2-1 with an imperious header: an extraordinary victory against a team that will end the season in the Champions League final.

HANDOVER

In Serie A 2020/21 the Nerazzurri won with a display of authority, thanks in part to a marvellous performance from Nicolò Barella. An assist, a goal and a total performance, in a match of great intensity: in the 13th minute the midfielder's cross was perfect for Arturo Vidal's header, the ex-Juventus player thus opening the scoring. In the second half, the Nerazzurri fans got to know the Bastoni-Barella axis for the first time: the defender fired across the field, catching Nicolò, who was uncatchable for the Bianconeri defence. Barella scored the 2-0 and Inter won the Derby d'Italia: the Nerazzurri thus launched themselves towards winning their 19th Scudetto, interrupting the winning streak of the Bianconeri, who lost the championship after nine years of success.

THE LAST VICTORY

Milan, 4 February 2024: The Derby d'Italia was a crucial match for Inter and Juventus. Simone Inzaghi's men was leading Serie A with 54 points, the Bianconeri chasing by a single point: the match at the San Siro could direct the championship. The Nerazzurri attacked Juventus right from the start, collecting chances and dominating the game: yet the result seemed to be deadlocked, despite the number of plays produced by Inter. The decisive breakthrough came in the 37th minute: Barella's cross found Pavard, who failed to hit the ball well and it found its way into the centre of the box, into Thuram's area. The Frenchman was anticipated by Gatti, who placed the ball in his own goal: this goal was enough to get the better of Juventus. San Siro exploded in jubilation for the Nerazzurri, fuelled by a new awareness: yes, this Inter could win the Scudetto and the Second Star. A dream that grew with hopes, thrills and emotions: a dream realised a few months later, also due to the extraordinary success in the Derby d'Italia.