Inter vs Juventus: Inter move closer to Serie A title after last‑gasp win in Derby d'Italia
Inter Milan edged Juventus 3-2 in a breathless Derby d'Italia at the San Siro on Saturday night (ET), with Piotr Zieliński netting a 90th‑minute winner. The result deepens Inter's advantage at the top of Serie A and leaves Juventus scrambling to salvage their season.
Drama, a key red card and a late twist
The match had everything: whistles, controversy and late drama. Juventus opened the scoring through Andrea Cambiaso, and the score was level by the 32nd minute. The contest turned sharply just before half‑time when Pierre Kalulu was shown a second yellow card and sent off, a decision that sparked immediate debate over its severity and impact on the fixture.
Playing with a numerical advantage in the second half, Inter regained the lead through Francesco Pio Esposito. Juventus refused to back down; Manuel Locatelli produced a stunning leveller with seven minutes remaining and it looked as if both sides would share the spoils. Then, at the death, Zieliński delivered the decisive blow, sending the home bench and supporters into raptures and securing three priceless points for the hosts.
What this means for the title race
The victory leaves Inter clear at the summit, eight points ahead of their city rivals as the season approaches its final third. The win caps a dominant run — Inter have claimed 11 wins in 12 league outings and have demonstrated a ruthlessness that had been questioned under previous regimes. While not invincible, the Nerazzurri have picked up 19 victories in the league and combined stout defending with an attacking output that has yielded 25 goals across recent matches.
Managerial stability has been a factor. The current head coach, a former defender who took charge in 2025, has imposed a clear identity on the squad and overseen a marked improvement in cutting games off and killing opposition momentum. That tactical clarity has translated into results and a renewed belief that Inter are serious contenders on all fronts.
Key performers have stepped up. Lautaro Martínez continues to lead the scoring charts for his team, hitting a rich run of form with multiple goals in recent fixtures and appearing destined to challenge for the league’s top scorer honours. Federico Dimarco has also enjoyed a career resurgence, contributing heavily across goals and assists and offering balance in both penalty areas for Inter.
Juventus response and lingering questions
For Juventus, the defeat compounds a difficult campaign. They now sit well adrift of the leaders and must refocus quickly if they are to protect Champions League ambitions. The team showed resilience after going down to ten men — fighting back to earn what looked like a deserved point — but ultimately fell victim to a late sucker‑punch.
The referee’s decision to dismiss Kalulu will dominate post‑match conversation. Critics argued the second yellow was harsh and pointed to simulation and theatrics as influencing the call; defenders of the ruling suggested the official had little choice in a heated moment. Whatever the view, the incident altered the flow of the game and will be scrutinised by pundits and analysts as the fallout continues.
Looking ahead, Inter will aim to maintain momentum and manage the demands of a title push, while Juventus must regroup, address inconsistencies and find a sharper cutting edge to stay competitive in the race for Europe. Saturday’s Derby d'Italia produced a classic finish and underlined why this fixture remains one of the most compelling in Italian football.
