Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Inter Milan hosted Juventus in Serie A action after the international break today in a game that ended at one apiece.
The goals arrived at a minute apart late in the second half, which began with 20-year-old Icardi hammering home after a slicing through-ball from Ricky Alvarez. Arturo Vidal replied off of a danger area slot home. Both sides played with three in the back, hoping that their possession and skill game could outnumber the other. At the end of the day, however, both sides ended up cancelling one another out.
Andrea Pirlo did assist Vidal’s goal but besides that one successful play, he was not anywhere near the top of his game. As the veteran of the entire team and midfield maestro, more was certainly expected of him, especially in the Derby d’Italia.
The Inter keeper Handanovic did come up huge late as Vidal watched his point-blank header get punched away. The Juventus keeper had some decent saves at the other end as well.
The man of the match for Juve would have to be Vidal, who not only scored, but covered every blade of grass in that midfield both defensively and offensively. At the other end, Alvarez was very strong on the ball as he took on players and recorded the only assist for the home side on the night.
Juve have a UCL opener against FC Kobenhavn on Tuesday in Denmark. This draw will give them a slight boost of confidence with the frustration expected to still be fresh on their minds, as they could have won today’s derby.
