Goals from Adrien Rabiot and Nicolo Fagioli thanks to assists from Filip Kostic were enough for Juventus to secure a 2-0 victory against Inter on Serie A Matchday 13 at the Allianz Stadium.
Although the Nerazzurri dominated the play in the Derby d’Italia, the Bianconeri were not overwhelmed by the high-tempo style of their opponents and produced an excellent counter-attacking performance on Sunday evening.
Juventus leap above Inter in the Serie A table with 25 points, sharing fifth place with AS Roma, while the Nerazzurri drop to seventh.
Inter set the early tempo
The opening five minutes were played at a frenetic pace with both sides looking to create something, then Inter gradually started to dominate possession for the remainder of the half.
Lautaro Martinez sent a shot wide early on while Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries had shots straight at Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Meanwhile, Bianconeri defender Bremer on his return failed to hit the target with a header.
Dumfries should have given Inter the lead in the 42nd minute when Nicolo Barella sent a low cross towards the Dutchman but he blasted above the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Juventus clinical on the counter-attack
It was a rapid start to the second half as well and Calhanoglu’s powerful shot forced an excellent fingertip save out of Szczesny. However, it was Juventus who took the lead after 52 minutes when Filip Kostic sprinted from his own half and provided a low cross from the left wing, which Rabiot skilfully diverted into the bottom corner.
Danilo thought he had made it 2-0 with a volley from a corner but a VAR review picked up a handball by the Brazilian. Calhanoglu and Martinez had chances to equalise for Inter, but they could not find the back of the net while Kostic was denied a goal by Nerazzurri goalkeeper Andre Onana, who tipped the ball onto the post after a good shot.
The Bianconeri eventually doubled the lead in the 85th minute when Kostic made another run down the left wing, squeezed a low cross through a wall of Inter defenders, and Fagioli controlled the ball with his first touch, then smashed it into the net with his second.
