Inter’s bitter rivalry with Juventus has been bubbling ever since the sides’ controversial Serie A title decider 60 years ago, a report in the Italian media recalled today.
Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition pointed out that, while the two teams played out a 2-2 draw in 1945 which was full of drama, the ‘real’ animosity in the Derby d’Italia did not start until 1961.
On that occasion, the Scudetto showdown in Turin had to be stopped at 0-0 due to it being impossible to continue after a number of Juventus fans invaded the side of the pitch.
The Bianconeri were punished for this and docked points, but on the eve of the final day of the season, then Juventus and FIGC president Umberto Agnelli lodged an appeal and the game was ordered to be replayed.
Out of protest, Inter played their Primavera side and were well beaten 9-1.
More recently, there was the infamous match in 1998 involving Inter striker Ronaldo and Mark Iuliano, before the rivalry got even more poisonous during the 2000s given the Calciopoli scandal.
In 2018 there was yet more controversy at San Siro when Miralem Pjanic somehow escaped a red card for a clear elbow on Inter midfielder Rafinha, paving the way for Juventus to win 3-2 against 10 men.
The latest installment of the saga played out at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday night, when Antonio Conte and Andrea Agnelli traded insults after the goalless draw in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg.
Nobody would count against further drama when Inter return to Turin on the penultimate weekend of the Serie A season in May.
