The Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter Milan is one of the fiercest rivalries in football history. From controversial matches to legendary goals, relive the greatest moments in this epic battle of Italian football.

Juventus vs. Inter Milan: The Derby d’Italia’s Best Moments

Few rivalries in football history are as intense and historic as the Derby d’Italia, the legendary clash between Juventus and Inter Milan. Unlike local derbies such as the Milan Derby (Inter vs. AC Milan) or the Rome Derby (Roma vs. Lazio), this rivalry is a national battle between two of Italy’s biggest and most successful clubs.

Over the years, Juventus and Inter Milan have delivered some of the most memorable, controversial, and dramatic matches in Serie A and European competitions. From scandals to title-deciding clashes, the Derby d’Italia has defined Italian football.

Let’s relive some of the best moments in the history of Juventus vs. Inter Milan and explore why this rivalry remains one of the greatest in football.

1. The Origins of the Derby d’Italia

The term “Derby d’Italia” was first used by Italian journalist Gianni Brera in 1967 to describe the heated rivalry between Juventus and Inter Milan. The name reflects the fact that these two clubs:

Are the two most successful teams in Italian football.
Have fanbases that spread across the entire country, unlike other clubs that are city-based.
Have been involved in some of the most controversial moments in Serie A history.

Juventus: Italy’s Most Successful Club

Founded in 1897, Juventus has dominated Italian football, winning a record 36 Serie A titles.
Known for their defensive strength and tactical discipline, Juventus has produced legends like Alessandro Del Piero, Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, and Gianluigi Buffon.

Inter Milan: The Pride of Nerazzurri

Inter Milan was founded in 1908 and is one of Italy’s most prestigious clubs.
They are the only Italian team to never be relegated from Serie A.
Inter has had iconic players such as Giuseppe Meazza, Javier Zanetti, Ronaldo Nazário, and Zlatan Ibrahimović.

This rivalry isn’t just about football success; it’s about ideology, history, and pride.

2. Classic Derby d’Italia Matches

A. Juventus 9-1 Inter Milan (1961) – The Biggest Victory Ever

Juventus humiliated Inter Milan with a record-breaking 9-1 victory.
Omar Sívori scored six goals, one of the greatest individual performances in Italian football history.

B. Inter Milan 3-1 Juventus (1998) – Ronaldo vs. Zidane

One of the most iconic clashes between two footballing greats, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
Ronaldo dominated the match, scoring a goal and assisting another in a thrilling 3-1 victory for Inter.

C. Juventus 2-1 Inter Milan (2002) – The Title Decider

Both teams were fighting for the Serie A title.
Alessandro Del Piero scored a stunning goal, securing a crucial win for Juventus, who later won the Scudetto.

D. Inter Milan 2-0 Juventus (2010) – Mourinho’s Dominance

Under José Mourinho, Inter was at their peak.
They defeated Juventus 2-0 in a dominant performance, on their way to winning the historic treble (Serie A, Coppa Italia, Champions League).

E. Juventus 3-2 Inter Milan (2018) – The Comeback Thriller

Inter led 2-1 with five minutes to go, but Juventus staged a dramatic comeback, scoring twice in the final minutes.
Gonzalo Higuaín’s winning goal helped Juventus secure another Serie A title.

3. The Biggest Controversies in Derby d’Italia History

A. 1998 Controversy: Ronaldo’s Uncalled Penalty

One of the most infamous refereeing decisions in football history occurred in the 1997-98 season.

Inter Milan’s Ronaldo was clearly fouled in the box, but the referee did not give a penalty.
Moments later, Juventus won a controversial penalty, which Del Piero converted.
Juventus won the match 1-0, leading to massive outrage from Inter fans.

B. Calciopoli Scandal (2006)

The biggest scandal in Italian football history.
Juventus was found guilty of match-fixing and influencing referees.
As a result, they were stripped of two Serie A titles (2004-05 and 2005-06) and relegated to Serie B.
Inter Milan was awarded the 2006 Serie A title, further fueling the rivalry.

C. Antonio Conte’s War with Inter Milan

Juventus legend Antonio Conte became Inter Milan’s coach in 2019.
He led Inter to their first Serie A title in 11 years (2020-21), breaking Juventus’ dominance.
Conte’s fiery relationship with Juventus fans made the rivalry even more intense.

4. The Greatest Players in Derby d’Italia History

Juventus Legends

Alessandro Del Piero – Juventus’ all-time top scorer and a true icon of the club.
Michel Platini – One of the greatest playmakers in football history.
Pavel Nedvěd – The 2003 Ballon d’Or winner, known for his incredible work rate.
Gianluigi Buffon – The legendary goalkeeper who dominated the rivalry for two decades.

Inter Milan Legends

Javier Zanetti – The ultimate leader, played over 850 games for Inter.
Giuseppe Meazza – The club’s greatest-ever striker.
Ronaldo Nazário – One of the best strikers in football history, unstoppable in his prime.
Diego Milito – The hero of Inter’s 2010 Champions League triumph.

5. The Future of the Derby d’Italia

With Juventus rebuilding under Massimiliano Allegri and Inter Milan strengthening under Simone Inzaghi, the rivalry remains as intense as ever.

Juventus wants to reclaim its dominance after losing recent titles to Inter and AC Milan.
Inter Milan is determined to remain a top force in Serie A and Europe.
The battle for Serie A supremacy will continue to be shaped by epic Derby d’Italia clashes.