Forza Inter Chant

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Lore & Background

The matchup is perhaps the most intense in Italy between two teams from different cities, historically since the 1950s and 60s, and especially after the Calciopoli scandal which saw Juventus stripped of their 2005–06 league title and given to Inter. In the 1960–61 season, a field invasion led to Lega Calcio awarding the match to Inter, but FIGC overturned the decision and ordered a replay. Inter president Angelo Moratti accused the association of favouritism due to the Agnelli family's influence, as Umberto Agnelli was FIGC president. Inter fielded youth players for the replay and lost 9–1; Juventus striker Omar Sívori scored six goals and won the Ballon d'Or that year, while Inter's only goal was scored by a young Sandro Mazzola. During the 1997–98 fixture, referee Piero Ceccarini did not award a penalty for Mark Iuliano's foul on Inter forward Ronaldo in a direct clash decisive for the title. Juventus, up 1–0 at the time, were awarded a penalty seconds later which Alessandro Del Piero missed; Juventus won 1–0 and secured the scudetto. The incident caused heated arguments in the Italian parliament during a publicly broadcast 'question time' session in April 1998. Domenico Gramazio reportedly shouted 'They are all thieves!' at fellow politician Massimo Mauro, prompting Deputy Prime Minister Walter Veltroni to comment, 'We are not at a stadium. This is a spectacle that is unworthy, embarrassing and grotesque...' The session was suspended and several politicians were later penalised. Before the derby on 5 December 2009 in Turin, there were fears about Juventus ultras abusing Inter's Italian striker Mario Balotelli (of Ghanaian descent) due to a history of racial abuse. Juventus chairman Jean-Claude Blanc and Mirella Scirea, widow of Juventus legend Gaetano Scirea, wrote to ultra groups and publicly urged fans to refrain from racist chants. Inter's team bus was pelted with eggs by some Juventus fans. The match saw seven bookings, a red card, heated altercations (notably between Gianluigi Buffon and Thiago Motta), and Inter manager José Mourinho was dismissed in the first half. A second-half winner from Claudio Marchisio re-opened the Scudetto race. In the 2015–16 Coppa Italia semi-final, Juventus won the first leg 3–0 at home; Inter won the return leg 3–0 in Milan, forcing a penalty shoot-out which Juventus won 5–3.

In Their Own Story

The fog hangs low over the San Siro, but inside the Curva Nord, the air is thick with heat and anticipation. A sea of black and blue scarves rises in unison as the second half begins. The drums hit a relentless rhythm, followed instantly by 'Forza Inter!'—starting as a murmur from the front rows before swelling into a deafening wall of sound that shakes the concrete pillars of the stadium. On the pitch, players feel the vibration through their boots rather than hear it; they straighten their backs, eyes fixed on the stands where the chant acts as a physical force. For ninety minutes, nothing else exists but this collective promise: no matter what happens, the singing never stops.

Reader's Guide

The source also lists Juventus' biggest wins (four or more goals difference, or Juventus scored five or above) including Juventus 9–1 Inter on 10 June 1961.

Did You Know?

• The term 'Derby d'Italia' was coined in 1967 by Italian sports journalist Gianni Brera.
• In the 1960–61 season, Inter fielded youth players in a replay after a field invasion and lost 9–1 to Juventus.
• Omar Sívori scored six goals in that 9–1 match and won the Ballon d'Or that year.
• The 1997–98 fixture's controversial no-penalty call on Ronaldo led to heated arguments in the Italian parliament.
• Before the 2009 derby, Juventus officials publicly urged fans to refrain from racist chants against Mario Balotelli.