MILAN, ITALY — Deep into stoppage time at a raucous San Siro, Piotr Zielinski delivered the knockout blow that sent Inter Milan top of Serie A with a pulsating 3-2 victory over bitter rivals Juventus. The Polish midfielder's left-footed strike from outside the box in the 90th minute capped a breathless encounter that saw five goals, a red card, and both goalkeepers produce world-class performances in Italy's most storied derby.
The opening exchanges set the tone for an evening of relentless attacking intent from the Nerazzurri, who controlled 59.8% of possession and pinned Juventus deep in their own half. Inter's dominance manifested in wave after wave of attacks, with Federico Dimarco's deliveries from the left flank causing constant problems for the Bianconeri backline. The breakthrough arrived in fortuitous fashion in the 17th minute when Andrea Cambiaso, under pressure from Marcus Thuram, diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio to hand the hosts an early advantage.
Juventus, however, showed the resilience that has defined their season under new management. The visitors drew level in the 26th minute through Cambiaso, who atoned for his earlier misfortune by latching onto Weston McKennie's perfectly weighted cross and drilling a left-footed finish into the bottom left corner. The American midfielder had been a constant threat, testing Yann Sommer with a header just six minutes earlier that the Swiss goalkeeper pushed over the bar with a full-stretch save.
The tactical battle intensified as both sides traded blows in a frenetic first half. Thuram thought he had restored Inter's lead in the 42nd minute, but his header from Dimarco's cross was comfortably gathered by Di Gregorio. The pattern continued after the interval, with Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio denying Fabio Miretti and McKennie in quick succession in the 51st minute, showcasing the reflexes that have made him one of Serie A's most reliable shot-stoppers this campaign.
Inter's numerical advantage arrived when Juventus were reduced to ten men, and the hosts immediately seized control. The Nerazzurri peppered the Juventus goal with 21 attempts compared to the visitors' 10, demonstrating their territorial dominance. Esposito, introduced as a substitute, made an immediate impact in the 76th minute, rising highest to meet Dimarco's pinpoint cross and powering a header into the top right corner that left Di Gregorio helpless.
The drama was far from over. Manuel Locatelli, orchestrating play from deep positions, drove forward in the 83rd minute and unleashed a right-footed effort from the right side of the box that nestled in the bottom left corner, with McKennie's clever movement creating the space. The goal silenced San Siro and set up a grandstand finish, with Juventus reduced to nine men but refusing to surrender.
Inter's relentless pressure finally told in the dying moments. Yann Bisseck's header from Dimarco's cross in the 89th minute forced another save from Di Gregorio, but the rebound fell kindly for Zielinski. The midfielder, who had replaced Nicolò Barella in the second half, showed composure beyond measure to curl his left-footed strike beyond the despairing dive of Di Gregorio and into the bottom right corner, sparking wild celebrations that earned him a yellow card for excessive jubilation.
The statistics painted a picture of Inter's dominance throughout. Beyond their possession advantage, the Nerazzurri registered nine shots on target and forced Di Gregorio into five crucial saves. At the other end, Sommer was equally busy, making six stops to preserve his side's advantage during critical moments. The match descended into a physical battle at times, with Inter committing 15 fouls to Juventus's seven, and the hosts collecting four yellow cards in a fiery encounter that lived up to its billing.
Lautaro Martínez and Thuram led the line with tireless running, constantly stretching the Juventus defense and creating space for the advancing midfielders. Petar Sucic and Barella controlled the tempo in the engine room before their substitutions, while Dimarco's delivery from wide positions proved the decisive weapon, assisting both Esposito's goal and creating the chance that led to Zielinski's winner.
For Juventus, the defeat represents a significant blow to their title aspirations. Despite their clinical finishing—putting eight of their ten shots on target—and McKennie's influential performance in both boxes, the Bianconeri's discipline cost them dearly. The red card proved pivotal, disrupting their defensive shape and allowing Inter to exploit the spaces that emerged in the final stages.
The victory consolidates Inter's position at the Serie A summit with 36 points from 16 matches, maintaining their perfect home record and extending their advantage over the chasing pack. Juventus, meanwhile, remain fourth on 32 points but will rue the missed opportunity to close the gap on the leaders. The psychological impact of surrendering a lead twice in enemy territory cannot be understated as the season approaches its crucial midpoint.
Buoyed by this result, Inter now prepare for Lecce on February 22nd, while Juventus must regroup quickly with their own fixtures looming on the horizon.