Piotr Zielinski was undeniably Inter Milan’s standout player in the 3-2 Derby d’Italia victory over Juventus, earning accolades across the Italian press.

After a season of inconsistency under Simone Inzaghi, the Polish midfielder has fully regained his form under Cristian Chivu, becoming a key figure whether deployed as a deep-lying playmaker or a mezzala.

His performance against Juventus reflected that evolution: while briefly caught out during Locatelli’s equaliser, he immediately responded with a precise left-foot strike that secured the win and underlined his mental resilience.

Italian outlets were unanimous in their praise, via L’Interista.

Inter 3-2 Juventus – Zielinski Praised For MOTM Performance

Piotr Zielinski Inter Milan
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Internazionale Milano and RB Leipzig at Stadio San Siro on November 26, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gazzetta dello Sport awarded him a 7, Corriere dello Sport gave him 8, while Tuttosport and TMW rated him 7 and 7.5 respectively.

Even L’Interista echoed the sentiment with a 7.5.

These ratings highlight not just his decisive goal, but his overall influence—his positioning, passing range, and game intelligence consistently dictated Inter’s tempo, linking defense to attack seamlessly.

Zielinski’s form demonstrates why Chivu has entrusted him with a central role.

He has transformed from a talented but inconsistent player into a reliable match-winner, capable of shaping high-pressure fixtures.

With the Scudetto race intensifying, Zielinski’s creativity, composure, and consistently high ratings across the media make him a cornerstone of Inter’s title ambitions.