Bizarre Muntari Goal Decides Derby D’Italia

Inter won the Derby d’Italia thanks to a bizarre goal from Sulley Muntari in front of a packed stadium of 80,000 spectators.

Adriano was shockingly handed a starting shirt after spending several weeks in the cold along with another surprise start in the form of Materazzi.

Despite coming from seven wins on the trot, Juventus were outplayed by league leaders Inter, that after tonight’s win have a six point gap down to the Bianconeri.

First half

The game was barely two minutes old when Tiago had to be replaced by Marchisio due to a sprained left knee—adding his name to Juventus’ extended injury list.

The first chance came from the home team as Stankovic sprung the offside trap and only had Manninger to beat, but a decisive interception from Chiellini cleared the danger.

Juventus had most of the ball possession in the beginning of the game and had their first chance in the 25th minute when Marchionni ran up from the right and penetrated into box, only to be brought down by Muntari. The calls for a penalty were waved off and the replays showed that the contact was minimal.

Inter had a great opportunity to take the lead on the half hour mark as a Maicon free kick found Muntari’s header, but the Austrian goalkeeper parried with his feet.

Inter’s biggest chance came two minutes later when a Legrottaglie howler sent Ibrahimovic clear with only Manninger to beat. The Swede’s low shot went wide of the far post.

Another two minutes after Ibrahimovic’s chance the home side tested the Juventus goalkeeper through Adriano’s powerful shot, but it was touched out by Manninger for a corner. The referee didn’t take notice and handed Juventus a goal kick instead.

In the 43rd minute Juventus had a golden opportunity at goal through Marchisio’s long range lob, but Cesar tipped over the bar.

The last chance in the first half came from Mourinho’s men as a Muntari received a through ball from Ibrahimovic just outside the area and fired of a dangerous shot that was once again parried away by Manninger.  

Second half

The restart took off in a lower tempo as both side moved cautiously. Stankovic picked up the ball from Materazzi ten minutes into the second half and unleashed a shot that hit Legrottaglie’s arm. Inter cried penalty but the referee wouldn’t budge as the Italian’s arm had been straight along the torso.

Five minutes later Ibrahimovic found himself in the same position as he had in the first half, one-on-one with Manninger. The Swede’s shot once again went wide, this time of the near post.

Seemingly heading for what looked to be a goalless draw the winning goal came out of nothing. In the 72nd minute Ibrahimovic’s angled drive off target found Muntari standing barely two yards from the goal. The Ghanaian easily tapped in the goal as the entire Juventus defense thought Muntari was standing in an offside position.

Inter gained another level of confidence after the goal but Juventus managed to keep the home side at bay.

Having barely threatened in the second half, the visitors came close to an equalizer in the 82nd minute as a Camoranesi free kick found Del Piero’s downward header that brought out a great save out of Cesar.

There were several substitutions from both sides in the final ten minutes of the game but Inter were able to control and hold off Juventus through the remainder of the game.

Inter 1 Juventus 0

Goals: Muntari 72’

Inter (4-1-3-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Materazzi, Samuel, Maxwell; Cambiasso; Zanetti, Muntari (90’ Vieira), Stankovic (85’ Burdisso); Ibrahimovic, Adriano (83’ Cruz). Coach: Mourinho.

Juventus (4-4-2): Manninger; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni (69’ Camoranesi), Sissoko, Tiago (3’ Marchisio), Nedved; Del Piero, Amauri (75’ Iaquinta). Coach: Ranieri.