Juventus gain crucial title edge after late fightback downs Inter
MILAN
Juventus battled past 10-man Inter Milan with two late goals giving the champions a 3-2 win in the San Siro on April 28 to reopen a four-point lead at the top of the Serie A table.
Inter looked as if they would pull off an unlikely victory as the hosts led until three minutes from the whistle despite playing more than 70 minutes a man down after Matias Vecino was sent off.
But Milan Skriniar turned the ball into his own net after 87 minutes with Gonzalo Higuain heading in the winner two minutes later.
“I have to congratulate the lads, it was an important step towards the Scudetto,” said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“It was a beautiful night of football between two teams who had to win.
“Winning at San Siro is very complicated, they did very well at 10. We know that to win the championship we have to win all of our games.”
Juve’s lead had been cut to one point after their defeat by Napoli in Turin last week.
Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli travel to Fiorentina on Sunday bidding to match the champions and keep their push for a third title after 1987 and 1990 alive.
The April 28 defeat damages Inter’s hopes of Champions League football next season as they stay fifth behind Roma and Lazio with just three games to play.
“It will be hard to put this defeat behind us,” said Inter coach Luciano Spalletti.
“This match meant a huge amount to us and the team deserved a different result.We used up a lot of energy being a man down and in the final moments it hurt us.”
Douglas Costa fired in the opener for Juventus after 13 minutes following a cross from Juan Cuadrado.
Minutes later Vecino was shown red for a foul on Mario Mandzukic.
Juventus thought they had scored a second just before half-time but the video assistant referee (VAR) showed Blaise Matuidi was offside when he found the net.
Mauro Icardi headed in the equaliser for Inter seven minutes after the break for his 27th goal this season, and the hosts took the lead when the ball bounced in off Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli.
But in a late flurry a Cuadrado shot across goal took a deflection off Skriniar and Higuain headed in from close range off a Paulo Dybala free-kick.
In a bizarre finish, Allegri was sent to the stands for coming onto the pitch to celebrate.
“It looked as if it was over, like against Napoli it looked as if it was going to end in a draw and we lost,” said Higuain in reference to last week’s 1-0 loss to second-placed Napoli.
“It’s a very important win and a great confidence booster.”Earlier 10-man Roma warmed-up for next week’s must-win Champions League clash with Liverpool by easing to a 4-1 win over struggling Chievo to consolidate third place.
