Derby d'Italia

Lore & Background

The matchup between Juventus and Inter is perhaps the most intense match in Italy between two teams from different cities, historically since the 1950s and 60s, and especially after the Calciopoli which saw Juventus stripped of their league title from 2005–06 and given to Inter. After a field invasion due to the overflowing stands during a derby fixture in the 1960–61 season, Lega Calcio awarded the match to Inter but later FIGC overturned the decision and ordered a replay, much to the fury of Inter president Angelo Moratti and club supporters. Moratti accused the Italian football association of favouritism due to the Agnelli family's influence, as Umberto Agnelli was FIGC president at that time. In protest, Inter fielded their youth players for the replay and were thrashed 9–1. Juventus striker Omar Sívori scored six goals in the match and went on to win the Ballon d'Or that year, Inter only goal was scored by a young Sandro Mazzola. During the 1997–98 fixture at the Stadio delle Alpi there was controversy over referee Piero Ceccarini's decisions, in particular not to award a penalty for Mark Iuliano's foul on Inter forward Ronaldo in the direct clash between the two teams decisive for the title with Inter behind only 1 point with 4 games left. Juventus, up 1–0 at the time of the incident, were after few seconds awarded a penalty which was missed by Alessandro Del Piero; Juventus won the game 1–0 and with this secured the scudetto with five points ahead. The incident caused heated arguments in the Italian parliament during a publicly broadcast 'question time' session in April 1998. Domenico Gramazio of the National Alliance reportedly shouted 'They are all thieves!' at fellow politician and former Juventus player Massimo Mauro of the ruling Democrats of the Left, prompting Chamber of Deputies member and then-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 had to be suspended and several politicians were later penalised as a result. During the days leading up to the derby on 5 December 2009 in Turin, there were fears about the Juventus ultras abusing Inter's Italian striker Mario Balotelli (who is of Ghanaian descent) due to a history of racial abuse from fans. Juventus chairman Jean-Claude Blanc and Mirella Scirea, widow of Juventus legend Gaetano S

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Stadio San Paolo is thick with humidity and the scent of flares as the final whistle approaches. The scoreboard reads 1-1, but the tension feels heavier than any goal difference could suggest. In the stands, a sea of blue and white waves violently against the backdrop of the city's skyline. On the pitch, a Juventus defender clears the ball desperately, his eyes scanning for safety, while a Napoli midfielder chases it with a ferocity that suggests he is running not just for possession, but for the pride of an entire region. The roar that follows is not merely support; it is a declaration that today, in this city, the South reigns supreme.

Reader's Guide

The teams are from the two biggest cities in Northern Italy. Both teams have fans across Italy, and there are numerous fan clubs of Juventus in Piedmont and Inter in Lombardy (including in the two cities). Both clubs are among the most successful football clubs in the world.

Did You Know?

• The term 'Derby d'Italia' was coined in 1967 by Italian sports journalist Gianni Brera.
• The 1960–61 derby saw Juventus win 9–1 after Inter fielded youth players in protest; Omar Sívori scored six goals.
• The 1997–98 derby led to heated arguments in the Italian parliament over referee decisions.
• The 2009 derby was marked by racial abuse fears and a bus pelted with eggs.