Piotr Zielinski scored in the 90th minute as Inter beat Juventus 3-2 at San Siro to move eight points clear at the top of Serie A.
Inter Milan moved eight points clear at the Serie A summit after a dramatic 3-2 win over Juventus. The decisive moment arrived in the 90th minute through Piotr Zielinski. A pulsating Derby d’Italia at the San Siro delivered momentum swings and late drama. Inter’s composure at the death underlined their title credentials.
Juventus began with confidence and pressed aggressively in the opening exchanges. Inter gradually settled and began to find space down the flanks. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute in fortunate fashion. Andrea Cambiaso deflected Luis Henrique’s cross into his own net.
Cambiaso made swift amends nine minutes later with a well-timed run. Weston McKennie’s cross found him free at the back post. He finished calmly to level the score at 1-1. The contest remained open and intense.
Inter went close again when Zielinski’s clever effort was cleared off the line by Bremer. The defining moment of the half followed shortly after. Pierre Kalulu received a second yellow card for pulling back Alessandro Bastoni. Juventus were reduced to ten men just before the interval.
Inter dominated possession early in the second half. Juventus defended deeper but remained dangerous on the break. Michele Di Gregorio produced key saves to keep the scores level. The resistance finally cracked in the 76th minute.
Substitute Francesco Pio Esposito powered home a header from Federico Dimarco’s cross. At 20 years old, Esposito became one of Inter’s youngest scorers against Juventus in Serie A. The goal appeared decisive.
Juventus refused to fold despite their numerical disadvantage. In the 83rd minute, captain Manuel Locatelli struck a superb equaliser from distance. The finish silenced San Siro and threatened to derail Inter’s night. Momentum briefly shifted.
Inter pushed forward immediately in search of a response. Their urgency paid off on the cusp of stoppage time. Zielinski collected the ball 20 yards out and drove a low shot through Locatelli’s legs. The strike beat Di Gregorio and sparked wild celebrations.
Inter registered 21 shots and generated 2.29 expected goals. Juventus managed 10 attempts with 0.92 xG. Six of Juve’s shots came after the red card. The last four league meetings between these sides have now produced 21 goals.
Zielinski’s winner was Inter’s latest ever Serie A goal against Juventus. It was also his fifth league goal of the season. Federico Dimarco provided his 12th assist of the campaign, the most in the division.
Inter now sit on 61 points from 25 matches. They travel to Norway on Wednesday to face Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League. Juventus remain fourth on 46 points. They could slip further depending on results involving Roma and Napoli. For Inter, belief continues to grow. Nights like this often decide titles.
