Juventus secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Inter in a match filled with drama, including goals from both Thuram brothers. Lloyd Kelly and Kenan Yildiz also scored for Juventus, while Hakan Calhanoglu scored twice for Inter. A late winner from Vasilije Adzic sealed the win for Juventus in a very exciting Derby d’Italia.
Igor Tudor, the Juventus coach, settled into his seat, adjusted his tie, and conceded that what everyone had just witnessed was a "particular game." Seven goals, some of them absolute screamers, lead changes that kept fans on the edge of their seats, brothers facing off as rivals, a stellar performance from one of Serie A's rising stars, and a teenage match-winner. "Particular" seemed an understatement for this season's first Derby d’Italia. Perhaps "completely bonkers" would be a more fitting description.
Rewinding to the beginning, Juventus welcomed Inter on Saturday evening in a match that felt as though it might have arrived slightly ahead of schedule for both teams. The Bianconeri had started their campaign with victories over Parma and Genoa, but Tudor himself admitted he was still figuring out the best way to integrate all of his club’s summer acquisitions. The late arrival of Loïs Openda from RB Leipzig, coupled with the earlier signing of Jonathan David from Lille, suddenly presented him with alternatives to Dusan Vlahovic in attack.
On the other side, Inter were reeling from a shock home defeat to Udinese just before the international break. Cristian Chivu, who had only 13 games of prior management experience at Parma, was already under pressure to prove he was capable of filling the shoes of Simone Inzaghi. In such a high-stakes environment, a cautious approach from either manager would have been understandable. Instead, the match quickly devolved into a chaotic spectacle reminiscent of the 4-4 draw these teams played out under different managers 10 months prior.
The game was barely 15 minutes old when Lloyd Kelly opened the scoring for Juventus. On any other day, this might have been the main talking point – the English centre-back bagging his first-ever Serie A goal. Kelly’s journey in Turin has been a complex one, having sometimes been unfairly singled out as a symbol of questionable squad planning. His goal was undeniably well-taken, a composed side-foot finish into the bottom corner after a volleyed cross from Bremer.
But there was little time to dwell on individual storylines. Hakan Calhanoglu leveled the score for Inter in the 30th minute, unleashing a powerful first-time strike from the edge of the penalty area. Kenan Yildiz then put Juventus back in front before the halftime whistle, finding the bottom corner with a precise shot from 25 yards.
Questions lingered over whether Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, could have done better, as he got a hand to the ball but failed to steer it onto the post. Yildiz, on the other hand, is just beginning his career. It was already evident last season, while he was still a teenager that Juventus was building its future around him. Tudor tweaked Juventus’s previous 3-4-2-1 formation specifically for this game, deploying him as a No. 10 behind Vlahovic.
Chivu seemed to have had a similar idea in mind, as Yildiz’s compatriot, Calhanoglu, dictated much of the play from behind Inter’s attack. The Nerazzurri were already dominating possession, and for the next half-hour, they maintained control, particularly through Calhanoglu. He eventually brought them level again in the 65th minute with a stunning volley on the turn.
Lost in the whirlwind of action was a compelling subplot: Turkey’s captain battling against a young prodigy who might one day take his place. But even more captivating narratives were about to unfold. Inter finally took the lead for the first time in the 76th minute, with Marcus Thuram heading home from a corner. His celebration was muted, a mere acknowledgment of his teammates before striking his customary pose, fingers pointed at his temple.
Then came the moment that truly made this game unforgettable. Khéphren Thuram, Marcus’s younger brother, responded with an almost identical header from a set-piece, sending the Juventus fans into raptures. He beat his chest, pointed towards his name on the back of his jersey and then mimicked Marcus’s salute.
This was not the first time they’d faced each other – having done so twice last season – but it was the first time that both Thuram brothers had been in the starting line-up. Lilian Thuram, their father and former Juventus player, watched from the stands. He managed to keep a poker face for Marcus’s goal but couldn’t help but smile when Khéphren scored.
Incredibly, the drama wasn’t over yet. In the 91st minute, Juventus found a sensational winner. Vasilije Adzic, a 19-year-old second-half substitute, received a pass from David 30 yards from goal, took a touch, and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.
Once again, questions were raised about Sommer’s positioning, and the defending on both sides left much to be desired. However, the quality of Adzic’s finish was undeniable. The Thuram brothers, stood chatting, shirts over their mouths. Marcus could be seen smiling. The final scoreline: a 4-3 Juventus victory.
Tudor suggested that a draw might have been the fairest result, while Chivu believed his team deserved more, claiming he had “never seen Inter play this well in Turin.” Despite Inter’s dominance in possession, Juventus displayed resilience to secure the win. Yildiz’s electric form and Adzic’s promising contribution offered glimpses into the team's future.
For Tudor, the outlook appears brighter. Juventus may have been far from perfect on Saturday, but they demonstrated the character to fight back and ultimately win. It’s still too early to predict the ultimate outcome, but more games like this would certainly make for an extraordinary season.