After a scramble in the 58th minute, Haljas's shot was blocked by Chiellini. Leonardo made a substitution, Pandev replaced Haljas to strengthen the offense. In the 64th minute, Inter Milan earned a corner kick opportunity, the first point in the penalty area was blocked, and the long-range shot from outside the box was instinctively deflected by Ranocchia inside the penalty area. Subsequently, Aquilani replaced Toni. Then Marchisio's long-range shot went wide of the post.
Historically, the two teams have clashed 186 times, with Juventus holding an advantage with 84 wins, 47 draws, and 55 losses. However, in the 10 encounters since the Calciopoli scandal, Inter Milan has taken the upper hand with 4 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses. In their last three matchups, Inter Milan maintained a record of 2 wins and 1 draw. After the winter break, Inter Milan’s scoring momentum ranked second only to Barcelona in Europe, while Juventus had a poor record of just 3 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, dropping to 8th place in the league table. Both teams' starting lineups were exactly as predicted by the media before the match. Juventus returned to the 4-4-2 system, deploying four center-backs in defense; on the other hand, Inter Milan featured a front three of Pazzini, Sneijder, and Eto'o. Cambiasso, who was injured during the midweek international break, made a frontline return and played alongside Haljas and Motta in midfield.
In the 81st minute, Inter Milan had a chance to equalize when Sneijder's through ball found Eto'o making a run into the penalty area. After controlling the ball, the Leopard attempted a shot but was blocked by the advancing Buffon. Subsequently, Chiellini cleared the ball off the line. In the 85th minute, Maicon's shot from outside the penalty area went over the crossbar. In the 88th minute, Pepe crossed from the left flank, and Matta's shot inside the penalty area narrowly missed the target.
The second half began with both teams switching sides. In the 49th minute, Maicon crossed from the right flank, and Pazzini headed the ball at the far post, but Buffon was well-positioned to block the attempt. In the 51st minute, Chiellini had a verbal altercation with Leonardo on the touchline, but they soon shook hands and reconciled. In the 52nd minute, Clasic crossed from the right flank, and Matta, unmarked in front of the goal, easily headed the ball, but it narrowly missed the post. A minute later, Aquilani sent a clever pass into the penalty area, and Matta prepared to shoot after controlling the ball, but Maicon timely intervened and cleared the ball out for a corner. From the resulting corner, Chiellini's header at the back post narrowly missed the far post.
In the 88th minute, Inter Milan missed a golden opportunity! Maicon's low cross penetrated everyone's defense, and Buffon was already out of position, but unfortunately, Eto'o's close-range shot was denied by the crossbar! Two minutes later, it was Eto'o again, attempting a volley inside the penalty area but failed to hit the target correctly!
In the 29th minute, Juventus took the lead first. Clasic broke through on the right flank and sent a backpass, Sorensen followed up with a cross, Cordoba misjudged the ball at the front post, and Matta, unmarked inside the penalty area, headed the ball home. Juventus 1-0 Inter Milan. In the 31st minute, Cambiasso's shot inside the penalty area after receiving a pass went over the crossbar. In the 36th minute, Inter Milan's cross from the right flank reached the penalty area, but Pazzini's positioning was off. In the 40th minute, Sneijder's cross from the left rib, Pazzini's header inside the penalty area failed to hit the correct spot.
In the 66th minute, after Maicon crossed from the right flank, Balzali's clearance fell directly to Sneijder's feet, and Sneijder unleashed a powerful long-range shot that hit Pandev's feet inside the penalty area. A minute later, Pazzini received a cross from the left flank inside the penalty area and attempted a volley, which went wide of the far post. Two minutes later, Eto'o's shot from 20 yards out deflected off an opponent and went out for a corner. In the 74th minute, Sorensen's careless backpass allowed Eto'o to charge forward, but Buffon made a decisive tackle to clear the ball. In the 76th minute, Eto'o's shot from outside the penalty area narrowly missed the far post. In the 78th minute, Sissoko intentionally kicked Sneijder and received a yellow card.
In the 2nd minute of the match, Inter Milan created a dangerous situation. Maicon crossed from the flank, Pazzini intentionally let the ball go, and Sneijder sent it into the penalty area, but Pazzini's scissor-kick failed to hit the correct spot. In the 4th minute, Ranocchia's pass-back in the backfield was intercepted by Matta, who entered the penalty area and his shot was blocked. Juventus's overall pressing was fierce, while Inter Milan mainly threatened the opponents through attacks down the right flank. In the 9th minute, Chiellini's cross from the flank, Toni's header inside the penalty area went over the crossbar. In the 11th minute, Matta fell while challenging for the ball with Cordoba inside the penalty area, but the referee did not indicate anything.
In the 14th minute, Aquilani attempted a direct chip shot from 30 yards out, and the ball narrowly missed the crossbar. After the 15th minute, both teams engaged in midfield battles. In the 25th minute, Inter Milan's long pass reached the penalty area, and Eto'o's attempt to shoot after controlling and flicking the ball was thwarted. In the 26th minute, Maicon's curling cross from the right flank was dealt with in time by Buffon. In the 27th minute, Marchisio's shot was blocked by Ranocchia inside the penalty area.