The second Derby d’Italia of the Serie A season exposed a “chasm” in quality between Inter Milan and Juventus.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Prior to kickoff in yesterday’s match, there had been the strong sense that it was a potential title-decider.
Only one point had separated Inter and Juventus at the top of the Serie A table.
Even with the Nerazzurri also having a game in hand on their rivals, the margins were tight.
On the one hand, Inter have been by general consensus the best-performing side in the Italian top flight so far this season. They have scored the most goals and conceded the fewest.
And there have been plenty of eye-catching displays such as a 3-0 demolition of Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana.
But Juventus have kept up all the way. They have done it their own way, embodying coach Max Allegri’s “Corto Muso” philosophy.
Inter Expose “Chasm” In Quality From Juventus In Serie A Win
So the pre-match predictions forecasted yesterday’s match as a test of Inter’s strength, and of Juventus’s capacity to find ways to win their own way even against a team with more technical quality.
And on the night, it was that technical superiority that shone through.
It may have only been a 1-0 win for Inter. But there were chances to make it more, including a couple spectacular saves by Bianconero goalkeeper Wojcjiech Szczesny.
Having kept in touching distance for months, Juventus had given themselves the chance to take a decisive step in the title race yesterday evening at the San Siro.
But the Bianconeri couldn’t take it. Because Inter wouldn’t allow them.
The Nerazzurri looked crisper and more decisive in possession virtually for the whole ninety minutes.
And the individual defensive quality as well as collective organization of Simone Inzaghi’s Inter meant that Allegri’s men could barely lay a glove on them all match long.
