Inter Milan missed a golden chance to take the top spot in Serie A as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Juventus on Sunday.
Francisco Conceição’s late strike sealed the victory in a thrilling Derby d’Italia, leaving the title race wide open.
Late Drama Seals Juventus Victory
The game remained evenly matched until the 74th minute when Portuguese winger Francisco Conceição found the back of the net. His goal came after an impressive bit of footwork from Randal Kolo Muani, who set him up beautifully inside the box. The home fans erupted in celebration as Juventus took the lead.
Missed Opportunity for Inter Milan
Inter had a big chance to move to the top of the table, especially after Napoli’s 2-2 draw with Lazio the previous day. However, their failure to capitalize on this opportunity keeps them in second place with 54 points from 25 games.
Juventus, meanwhile, climbed to fourth place with 46 points, boosting their hopes for a strong finish this season.
Read also: Tottenham Edge Past Manchester United In Tight Battle With 1-0
An Action-Packed First Half
The 267th Derby d’Italia had everything fans could hope for—high intensity, fierce challenges, and plenty of goal-scoring chances. Inter started aggressively, with Mehdi Taremi attempting a spectacular bicycle kick that was saved by Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. Moments later, Denzel Dumfries had a great chance but sent his effort over the bar.
Juventus responded with their own attacking moves. Nico Gonzalez tested Inter’s keeper, Yann Sommer, with a powerful shot, forcing him into a double save. Sommer stopped the initial strike and then denied Conceição’s rebound attempt, keeping the score level.
Wasted Chances Before the Break
Both teams continued to press forward, but finishing proved to be a challenge. Kolo Muani and Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martinez both wasted clear opportunities, sending their shots over the crossbar.
Just before halftime, Dumfries led another dangerous attack for Inter, but his shot hit the post as Juventus held on.
Juventus Take Control in the Second Half
The second half started with both teams showing urgency. Each side searched for a breakthrough, but solid defending kept the match goalless.
That changed in the 74th minute when Conceição capitalized on Kolo Muani’s brilliant assist, finally breaking Inter’s resistance.
Juventus nearly doubled their lead moments later. Teun Koopmeiners fired a shot toward goal, only for Dumfries to make a crucial block on the goal line, keeping Inter’s hopes alive.
Inter’s Late Push Falls Short
Desperate to avoid defeat, Inter threw everything forward in the final minutes. Marcus Thuram attempted a volley, but Juventus’ defense stood firm, ensuring their crucial victory. With only 13 rounds left in the season, the battle for the Serie A title remains intense, with Inter still within striking distance of the top spot.
Read also: Bayern Stand Strong Against Leverkusen in Intense Battle
Final Thoughts
Juventus’ win shakes up the title race and gives them a confidence boost as they push for a top-four finish.
Inter, on the other hand, will need to bounce back quickly to stay in the hunt for the league title. With several crucial matches still to come, Serie A fans can expect more thrilling battles ahead.
Juventus’ late heroics and solid defense made the difference in a high-stakes match. Can Inter regain momentum in the coming weeks, or will this defeat affect their title ambitions? The race for the Serie A crown is far from over!
