Mario Mandzukic’s second-half header gave Serie A champions Juventus a 1-0 lead over Internazionale in Turin on Friday night in the Derby D’Italia, preserving their unbeaten start to the season.
Mandzukic was on hand to head home the excellent Joao Cancelo’s cross in from the left with just over 20 minutes left in the match.
Mario Mandzukic of Juventus celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on December 7, 2018 in Turin, Italy.
Image credit: Getty Images
Despite the scoreline the game was full of action with Inter hitting the post in the first half through Roberto Gagliardini following brilliant work from Matteo Politano.
The forward caused problems for the Juventus back line before being brought off and Inter’s high press forced their opponents into some uncharacteristic errors.
However Luciano Spalletti’s side were unable to take advantage of those opportunities and at the other end they had to rely on a couple of bits of fine defending from Marcelo Brozovic as well as some good saves from Samir Handanovic.
Inter Milan's Argentine forward Mauro Icardi (L) vies for the ball with Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) during the Serie A football match between Juventus and InterMilan at the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin on December 7, 2018.
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They were made to pay by a ruthless Juventus team who, temporarily at least, go 11 points clear at the top of the Serie A table. Inter stay third.
TALKING POINT
Do not waste chances against this Juventus team. This wasn't all plain sailing for Juventus, at times in the first-half there were some groans and whistles from the home crowd. Spalletti got his tactics bang on and Inter's pressing and pace caused a lot of problems for Juventus. They should have taken the lead but they didn't and this Juventus team has so much talent that they will nearly always make you pay. Spalletti let himself down with his substitutions in the second-half, taking off Politano for Borja Valero stifled Inter and gave Juventus more breathing room.
Mario Mandzukic of Juventus celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on December 7, 2018 in Turin, Italy
Image credit: Getty Images
This was a night where Max Allegri was able to leave Federico Bernardeschi and Juan Cuadrado on his bench as he didn't need him. The depth of the champions at the moment is absolutely frightening.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) There were plenty of candidates in the Juventus team but Chiellini stood above the rest of his team and led by an example. Virgil van Dijk may be better on the ball but Chiellini is possibly the best defender in the world right now and on Friday evening he showed why. He kept the dangerous Mauro Icardi quiet all night and made a couple of crucial blocks in the second-half. His organising of the defence has become even more important this season following the departure of Gianluigi Buffon and he was a rock against Inter. He even posed a threat from attacking set-pieces.
Mauro Icardi and Giorgio Chiellini compete for the ball
Image credit: Eurosport
PLAYER RATINGS
Juventus - Szczesny 5, De Sciglio 6, Bonucci 6, Chiellini 8, Cancelo 8, Matuidi 8, Pjanic 6, Bentancur 7, Dybala 6, Manduzkic 7, Ronaldo 6. Subs: Costa 6, Can 5.
Internazionale - Handanovic 6,Vrsaljko 5, Skriniar 5, Miranada 6, Asamoah 5, Brozovic 7, Gagliardini 5, Joao Mario 4, Politano 7, Icardi 5, Perisic 5. Subs: Valero 4, Keita Balde 5, Martinez 5.
KEY MOMENTS
29' - POST! Fantastic from Inter! Sensational ball out to the right finds Politano and he brings it under control instantly. He cuts inside and finds Icardi who cleverly sets up Gagliardini. He bursts through on goal but his shot comes back off the post with Szczesny beaten.
36' - BLOCK AND SAVE! Brilliant from Brozovic. A cutback from the Juve left finds Bentancur arriving in the box but Brozovic throws himself in front of the shot. From the corner Chiellini draws a smart stop from Handanovic.
Inter Milan's Argentine forward Mauro Icardi (C) lies on ground next to Inter Milan's Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic (L) during the Serie A football match between Juventus and InterMilan at the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin on December 7, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
48' - CHANCE! So sloppy from Juventus. Matuidi loses the ball carelessly and Icardi plays it to Politano. However his shot is blocked well by Bonucci.
53' - OVER! Dangerous stuff from Handanovic and Miranada as they try to play out against the high press and are eventually punished. Mandzukic sends it in from the left but Dybala smashes it over.
66' - GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-0 INTER (MARIO MANDZUKIC) There it is! Cancelo is played in down the left and he slightly delays his cross but floating the ball to the back post where Mandzukic is gleefully waiting to head home. Juve lead!
KEY STATS
Juventus have equalled the best start after 15 match-days in the top five European Leagues in the three-point era (43 points).
Mario Mandžukić has now scored 150 league goals in his career
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