Inter Milan and Juventus played out a goalless draw in the Derby d’Italia, as neither of the Serie A giants could take advantage at the San Siro.

Simone Zaza replaced Paulo Dybala for the Old Lady after a disappointing start to the Serie A campaign for the Italian champions, with Claudio Marchisio also returning to the Juve starting XI.

Ivan Perisic, Mauro Icardi and Stevan Jovetic formed a sumptuous attack for the Nerazzurri as they looked to top the table ahead of pacesetters Fiorentina. 

The atmosphere was hot and loaded before kick-off, with the Inter fans taunting Juventus for their failed bid at the treble last season, as highlighted by the Associated Press’ Daniella Matar:

Juan Cuadrado went close for the visitors early on, but the Colombian winger couldn’t convert from the angle, firing at Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, who beat the effort away. 

A wave of yellow cards then broke out as three players ended up in the referee’s book, with Juve’s Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira and Inter’s Felipe Melo all having their name taken in a four-minute spell. 

Zaza also saw yellow soon after for an overexuberant challenge, with the game threatening to turn into a disciplinary nightmare for the officials. 

However, football blogger Michael Cox gave credit to the commitment of both sides:

Both goalkeepers were rarely tested in the first half, with Jovetic going closest for the San Siro team.

However, the pace and passion was frenetic, with both teams putting their bodies on the line in an aggressive and entertaining affair.

Football writer Sergi Dominguez spoke about the influence of Jovetic as the attacker stretched the Juve back line:

Dominguez also speculated Juve had made a selection error:

The teams went into the break goalless, but not before Melo appeared to clash with Khedira, with both players on a booking. The challenge from the Brazilian on the German international was late, but the referee waved for play to continue. 

Juventus were positive in the opening minutes of the second half, with Cuadrado once again involved with his team’s most expansive play. 

Inter had slipped into their shell, inviting the Bianconeri onto them, but a quick break by the productive Jovetic almost caught the champions sleeping. 

Blogger Samuel Jay C tipped his hat to Juve’s legendary stopper for keeping the score goalless:

Juventus’ heads were in their hands after 68 minutes as Khedira failed to convert from 10 yards, stroking his effort against the post and away. 

Alvaro Morata kept the ball alive in the box and laid the chance on for the German, who should have scored for his side. 

Paul Pogba began to get a grip on proceedings as the second half progressed into the final 20 minutes, with the Frenchman carrying the ball and attacking the Inter defence with intent after a quiet match. 

The hosts were on the back foot for the final moments of the encounter, with Juve the aggressor against an increasingly passive Inter.

But despite a strong rally in the closing stages, Juve could not break the deadlock as Inter sat and accepted a share of the points.

 

Post-Match Reaction

To follow.

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