Inter boss Inzaghi: Penalty only way Juve could score after Derby d'Italia controversy

By Sports Desk October 24, 2021

Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi claimed a penalty was the only way Juventus were going to score against his side after Sunday's 1-1 draw in Serie A's first Derby d'Italia of the season.

Inter were held by rivals Juve at San Siro, the first time since April 2019 the two teams have shared the points in the league as Massimiliano Allegri's fast-improving side earned another point in their recovery after a poor start to the 2021-22 campaign.

Edin Dzeko's first-half strike – his seventh goal in nine top-flight outings, as many as he scored in 27 appearances last term – was cancelled out by Paulo Dybala's late penalty, his 18th converted spot-kick in his last 20 attempts.

Inter substitute Denzel Dumfries was adjudged by VAR to have fouled Alex Sandro for Juve's 89th-minute penalty, a decision that infuriated Inzaghi so much he was sent off by referee Maurizio Mariani for throwing the ball away.

After the game, Inzaghi was still furious as he felt defending champions the Nerazzurri deserved all three points but did offer his apologies for his reaction.

"It was the only way in my opinion we could concede," Inzaghi told DAZN with Inter third and seven points behind Napoli and Milan, while Juve are three pointers further back. "We led the game from start to finish, we didn't concede anything to Juventus.

"They are two points thrown away that do not please me. The referee is there two metres away, he says that everything is fine and then he is called back. Sorry for the fans, we deserved more."

Inzaghi was then asked if Dumfries' infringement was avoidable and added: "I think so because we were clearly in numerical superiority close to the ball.

"We were never under pressure, we controlled from start to finish. I admit my gesture was not a good image to portray, but I felt in that moment it was not a VAR incident.

"As a coach, at the 89th minute of a game like that, with the referee right there waving play on, it's natural you’re going to get a bit angry the way I did."

Meanwhile, Allegri – who had previously won all three away league meetings against Inzaghi – was satisfied with a point as his side extended their unbeaten run to 10 games across all competitions.

"Before the draw, we had some actions where we didn't close and they were situations where we could have done better," Allegri started to DAZN post-match.

"We played with more confidence against Inter, it's an important point and allows us to have the possibility - even if we have to win - to increase the streak and then to nibble a few points before the break.

"But on Wednesday against Sassuolo we need to win. The match was beautiful, fought on a physical level and with good technical plays. We must improve in closing the action."

However, Allegri still implored Juve to improve after conceding 11 times in their opening nine Serie A matches – the first time they have done so since 1992-93.

"It depends on the first three games where we left eight points out of nine and it influenced us a bit," Allegri responded about Juve's form.

"We had to start from the basics, or rather from a good defensive position.

"We need to work on this, it's a matter of self-esteem. if we are aggressive in front, they play with a pipe in their mouth in the back."

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    Inter coach Simone Inzaghi acknowledged his side need to be more ruthless in front of goal following their Serie A win over Venezia, with matches against Arsenal and Napoli coming up.

    Lautaro Martinez's first home goal in league action since February handed the Nerazzurri a hard-fought 1-0 win at San Siro, though they missed several chances to make their victory more comfortable.

    Inzaghi's team racked up 20 shots worth 2.41 expected goals (xG) to Venezia's seven attempts and 1.07 xG during Sunday's game.

    They have now scored in each of their 28 league games at San Siro after failing to net in three in a row between March and April 2023, but Inzaghi knows they must take their chances when they face Arsenal and Napoli this week.

    "We should’ve been more clinical, but to be honest, I congratulated the team because the first half was excellent even if we wasted big opportunities," he told DAZN.

    "Once we broke the deadlock, the big regret is that we didn’t kill off the game and when it is in the balance, anything can still happen."

    Arsenal visit San Siro in the Champions League on Wednesday, before Napoli – who are currently one point clear at the top of Serie A – make the trip on Sunday.

    "In two days we are up against one of the best teams in Europe with huge quality, so clearly my focus right now is on Arsenal," Inzaghi said.

    The 48-year-old expressed concern about the challenging schedule ahead but felt relieved after seeing key players return.

    "This is our fifth game in two weeks, there are another two to come against Arsenal and Napoli, but we’ve got Hakan Calhanoglu back and Francesco Acerbi will be available on Wednesday too," he said.

    "Carlos Augusto is the only one still out and as a coach I will need everyone." 

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    Harbour View FC registered their third win of the season and, in the process, snapped a three-match losing streak in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL), as they bettered Racing United 3-1 in a lopsided encounter at Stadium East on Sunday.

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    Racing United’s consolation was courtesy of Casseam Priestley’s 71st-minute own-goal.

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    Winning coach Jason Henry praised his team’s overall performance.

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    They doubled the lead inside 20 minutes when Fagan met Romario Gibbs’ cross deep in the 18-yard box and easily finished beyond Holmes at his near post.

    Fagan should have completed his hat-trick in the 35th as he controlled Matthew Coke’s cross and had space and time to finish, but was hesitant in pulling the trigger and the chance went abegging.

    Three minutes later, Gibbs got in behind defenders but his initial effort was blocked by Holmes, while the follow-up shot went wide of the left upright as Harbour View remained 2-0 up at halftime.

    Racing United came alive in the second half and looked a more determined and organized side. Their renewed focus led to a good passage of play, from which they went close in the 69th when Romario Palma spilled the ball from a corner kick but Priestley was on hand to mop up the mishap.

    However, Priestley went from hero to culprit when he miscued a clearance from Tyrone Mullings’ cross, which resulted in an own-goal as Racing United were rewarded for applying pressure.

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    Racing United’s assistant coach Donovan Lofters rued his team’s lack of communication and organisation, particularly in the first half.

    “We were more organised in the second half, and we got one back. We were looking for the equalizer, but it just didn’t happen. So a lack of organization and communication was our downfall. We were too emotional in the first half, but we calmed them down at the break and we came out better in the second half but another lapse in concentration cost us when we were seeking the equaliser,” Lofters said.

    Sunday’s results

    Dunbeholden FC 2, Chapelton Maroons 0

    Portmore United 4, Molynes United 0

    Humble Lion 1, Arnett Gardens 2

    Harbour View 3, Racing United 1

    Tivoli Gardens 1, Cavalier FC 1

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    Diego Simeone lauded his son Giuliano after his first LaLiga goal helped Atletico Madrid on their way to a 2-0 victory over Las Palmas on Sunday. 

    The 21-year-old latched on to Nahuel Molina's pass before firing the ball beyond Jasper Cillessen, before Alexander Sorloth sealed the win seven minutes from time. 

    Atletico's victory moved them up to third in the table, a point behind Real Madrid, who have a game in hand after their game with Valencia was postponed. 

    But the day belonged to Simeone, who followed in his father's footsteps with his first goal for the club in only his eighth match in the Spanish top-flight. 

    The strike came almost 20 years after his father and manager, Diego, scored his last goal for the club against Real Madrid. 

    Though Simeone was thrilled by his son's achievement, he was keen to focus on the importance of the victory that saw them return to winning ways in the league. 

    "He's working well, he's training well... it's important for his growth. As long as there is humility, the heart always responds," Simeone said.

    "We are happy, we needed a match that would give us a good feeling. We were able to take the game where we wanted and we were able to win an important match."

    Simeone, however, said he did not see his son any differently from other players in his squad, who started only his second league game this season on Sunday.

    "He did what he had to do, that's why he is at Atlético. He has a responsibility that has no name. They are footballers.

    "Those who run play and those who run less, play less," he told a press conference.

    "The club didn't spend money to buy a son on. He is a boy who was in the youth academy... we believe he can help.

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