Inter 2-0 Juventus: Maicon Wonder-Goal & Eto'o Strike Take Inter Back To The Top Of Serie A

Posted Saturday, April 17, 2010 by Goal.com

The Nerazzurri took home the Derby d'Italia bragging rights...

The much-awaited Derby d'Italia between Inter and Juventus ended in a 2-0 win for the hosts, clinched by a brilliant volley from Maicon with just 15 minutes remaining and an injury time Samuel Eto'o tap-in.

The first half was a dull affair, only heated up by Momo Sissoko's silly foul on 37 minutes that earned him his marching orders for picking up two yellow cards. But Inter dominated the second half, and took home all three points thanks to Maicon and Eto'o.

The build-up to the game had been dominated by the explosion of Calciopoli II, spicing up an already heated rivalry.

The Nerazzurri were without Davide Santon and the the suspended Cristian Chivu. Jose Mourinho fielded a full strength side, despite the upcoming Champions League clash with Barcelona, as Goran Pandev, Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o supported Diego Milito in attack.

Juventus' horrific injury situation showed no sign of slowing down as David Trezeguet and Sebastian Giovinco were also ruled out during the week. Alberto Zaccheroni unleashed the 'rombo' with Diego playing trequartista behind Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta.

The visitors had chances within the first few minutes as Jonathan Zebina crossed for Iaquinta, who shot weakly at Julio Cesar. Then the Brazilian beat away a 25-yarder from Del Piero, and Claudio Marchisio curled over.

Sneijder had Inter's first effort as he lashed a free kick over the bar from range. On 15 minutes, the hosts twice went close. First Gianluigi Buffon flew to his right to superbly push away Thiago Motta's thunderbolt, then Maicon's goalbound shot was charged down.

There was a dangerous moment on 25 minutes as Eto'o ran towards goal, but just as he wound up to shoot he was denied by a brilliant Momo Sissoko recovery tackle. Buffon then got his body behind a Sneijder 20-yarder.

On 37 minutes Juventus received a huge blow as Sissoko was sent off for a second yellow card for an idiotic lunge at Javier Zanetti. Juve had been playing on level terms, but it was now an uphill task for them.

Inter made one change at half-time as Dejan Stankovic replaced Thiago Motta in midfield.

Juventus had the first attempt of the second period, but it was a disappointing dragged shot from Poulsen that Julio Cesar watched wide. Down the other end, Stankovic also thrashed well off target.

On 53 minutes Inter created the first clear chance of the game as Eto'o ran clean through on goal, but with just Buffon to beat he blazed horribly over. Mourinho reacted by swapping Pandev with Mario Balotelli.

Milito then also squandered a glorious opportunity by hooking inches wide from close range after Maicon had capitalised on a Fabio Grosso mistake.

Despite their man disadvantage, Juventus threatened occasionally and Fabio Cannavaro headed straight at Julio Cesar from a Diego corner. Inter also had a chance from a corner, as Walter Samuel headed wide.

On 64 minutes, Buffon came to Juventus' rescue with a superb acrobatic save from Stankovic's swerving long shot. Maicon then hit a daisycutter just wide as Inter upped the ante.

Inter were creating chances, and Milito missed another great opportunity on 68 minutes as he headed wide from yards out following a corner. Sneijder also fired just over.

The deadlock was finally broken on 74 minutes with a brilliant goal from Maicon. The Brazilian controlled a high ball on the edge of the box, sombrero'd over Amauri, and then volleyed into the top corner.

It was almost 2-0 with 10 minutes to go as Balotelli left Buffon stranded with a super free kick, only to see the ball crash back off the crossbar. Cambiasso also wasted a fine chance, while in the 90th minute Milito missed another one-on-one.

Inter finally put gloss on the scoreline in injury time. Muntari's miss-hit was tapped home by Eto'o to cap off a dominant second half display.

Inter return to the top of the table, two points ahead of Roma who play Lazio in the derby on Sunday evening. Juventus are now looking more and more likely to miss out on Champions League qualification, as Palermo and Sampdoria can move six points clear of them in fourth place with wins this weekend.