Serie A: Juventus Edge Inter Milan in Derby d'Italia Thriller

Juventus climbed into the Serie A top-four with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan, Conceicao's late winner settling a cagey Derby d'Italia encounter.

Juventus secured a crucial 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Derby d'Italia at the Allianz Stadium, propelling themselves into the Serie A top-four. This hard-fought victory marked the 13th consecutive home match without defeat for Juventus, extending their unbeaten home record in the division this term.

The match was a stark contrast to the reverse fixture earlier in the season, which ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw. However, both teams' defensive solidity was on full display in this encounter, with Inter and Juventus boasting two of the three meanest defences in Serie A. The visitors started strongly, but the match soon exploded into life with chances at both ends.

Inter had a gilt-edged opportunity to take the lead when Lautaro Martinez's cross found Denzel Dumfries, who headed high and wide. Moments earlier, Mehdi Taremi's overhead kick had been kept out by Michele Di Gregorio. Juventus responded with Nicolas Gonzalez and Francisco Conceicao testing Yann Sommer with low drives, the latter being particularly challenging for the Swiss goalkeeper.

As the match progressed, Inter maintained greater control, but Juventus continued to create opportunities. Randal Kolo Muani's volley was deflected off Alessandro Bastoni, preventing it from heading towards goal. At the other end, Martinez squandered another big chance to break the deadlock, blazing over from a well-placed Dumfries cutback.

Dumfries was a constant threat to Juventus throughout the first half, and he came agonizingly close to scoring on the stroke of half-time when his effort rattled the post. Despite the numerous chances, the match remained goalless until Francisco Conceicao netted a late winner for Juventus.

The coaches' tactical adjustments at halftime led to a more cautious approach from both teams, resulting in a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. As the match progressed, Simone Inzaghi sought to inject new life into Inter's attack, making a triple substitution on the hour mark.

Conceição wins the Derby d'Italia for Juve 🤍🖤#JuveInter pic.twitter.com/dX9NLrvfBj

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 16, 2025

One of the introduced players, Marcus Thuram, immediately made his presence felt, delivering a cutback that found Denzel Dumfries, who was denied by a combination of Michele Di Gregorio's save and the post. This proved to be a pivotal moment, as Juventus soon seized the initiative and took the lead through Francisco Conceicao.

Conceicao's goal was the culmination of a brilliant individual effort from Randal Kolo Muani, who skillfully evaded defenders before finding the winger. This strike marked a significant turning point, as Inter's faint hopes of a comeback were nearly extinguished when Teun Koopmeiners' attempt was cleared off the line by Dumfries.

Thiago Motta's men on the verge of victory 🤏#JuveInter pic.twitter.com/ES9nlQG9nw

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 16, 2025

Despite enjoying plenty of possession, Inter's response lacked conviction, failing to create meaningful scoring opportunities. As a result, their underwhelming league form continues, with just one win in their last four matches. This setback also means they missed the chance to leapfrog Napoli and claim top spot in the table.

In contrast, Juventus celebrated a vital victory, securing their third consecutive home league win for the first time this season. This triumph marked a significant boost for the Bianconeri, as they continue to climb the Serie A standings.