The ‘Derby of Italy’: retrospective of a historic challenge between Inter and Juventus
The derby of Italy returns on 13 September 2025
The next Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter Milan will be played on Saturday 13 September 2025 at 18:00 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, and it promises to be a challenge with an ancient yet topical flavour, very much felt both in terms of history and ranking. Both teams arrive with great ambitions: the Bianconeri are on full points, while the Nerazzurri – led by Cristian Chivu – are looking for redemption after an unexpected defeat against Udinese. This clash is considered the first real test of the season for both teams, loaded with expectations and historical rivalry.
From the point of view of the probable formations, Juventus should line up the defensive trio Gatti-Bremer-Kelly and an attack with Koopmeiners and Yildiz in support of Jonathan David, with Tudor still struggling with the doubts linked to the latest physical ailments of Conceicao, in strong doubt for the match due to a muscle injury. Inter should respond with Sommer in goal, a three-man defence consisting of Akanji, Acerbi and Bastoni, strong lines in midfield and the Thuram-Lautaro Martinez tandem up front. The absence of key players or a hasty recovery could be decisive in the economy of the match.
A key aspect of the match should be the defences: Bremer for Juventus and Acerbi for Inter are certainties in the back line, and much of the result could depend on their ability to contain their respective opponents’ attacks. It is expected to be a very tactically intense match, in which every detail – from one-on-ones in defence to loose balls – could make the difference, given what is at stake in the early stages of the championship.
The real novelty of this edition, however, will be the technology: for the first time in the history of Serie A, the Refcam will make its debut, a micro-camera of only 6 grams mounted on the referee’s microphone. This innovation will allow the audience to experience the match from the referee’s perspective, offering high impact replays already during the match and providing new angles for the VAR. The experimentation of Refcam, already tested in FIFA competitions, marks a step towards a more immersive and transparent enjoyment of Italian football, combining spectacle and technology as never before in Serie A.
Squad list for Juventus v Inter on Saturday 13 September 2025
Juventus and Inter’s probable starters for the derby d’Italia on Saturday 13 September 2025 are already outlined thanks to the latest updates from the two teams’ circles.
Juventus: 3-4-2-1
- Goalkeeper: Di Gregorio
- Defenders: Gatti, Bremer, Kelly
- Outfielders: Kalulu, Joao Mario (ballot with Kostic)
- Midfielders: Locatelli, Thuram
- Trequartisti: Koopmeiners (duel with McKennie), Yildiz
- Striker: David
Cambiaso is absent through disqualification, while Miretti, Cabal, Milik and Conceicao are unavailable through injury. Among the main ballots, Joao Mario is slightly favoured over Kostic, and Koopmeiners over McKennie for a starting shirt.
Inter: 3-5-2
- Goalkeeper: Sommer
- Defenders: Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni
- Outfielders: Dumfries, Dimarco
- Midfielders: Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan (duel with Sucic)
- Strikers: Thuram, Lautaro Martinez
There are no disqualified or unavailable players in Chivu’s line-up, with Mkhitaryan slightly ahead of Sucic for the midfield spot. Inter thus arrive with an almost full squad and a clear idea of the starting line-up.
How the last Derby d’Italia 2025 turned out
The last meeting between the two teams took place on 16th February 2025 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, where Juventus prevailed over Inter with a 1-0 result. The decisive goal was scored in the 74th minute by Francisco Conceição, on an assist from Randal Kolo Muani. This victory allowed Juventus to advance to fourth place in the standings, while Inter remained in second place, two points behind Napoli in the lead.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi expressed deep frustration following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus on Sunday, a setback that prevented the Nerazzurri from overtaking Napoli and reaching the top of Serie A. During the first half, Inter showed an almost absolute domination of the game, creating numerous scoring chances and putting the Bianconeri defence under pressure with a constant and well-organised pressing. However, despite the intensity and quality of their play, Inzaghi’s boys failed to capitalise on the opportunities created.
In the second half of the match, a sudden change of scenery resulted in a spectacular moment, when Portuguese winger Francisco Conceicao scored the only goal of the evening. In the 74th minute, taking advantage of a skilful play by team-mate Randal Kolo Muani, who managed to get rid of a couple of defenders with remarkable footwork, Conceicao slotted the ball into the net, literally making the Allianz stadium explode with joy. This episode, besides representing a psychological blow for Inter, shows how unpredictable and fascinating football can be, capable of subverting expectations in a few moments. Inzaghi and his team, while having to come to terms with the disappointment, now have the opportunity to reflect on this match and draw important lessons in view of the upcoming matches.
This period promises to be a challenging one for Inter, with difficult matches against top teams.
Derby d’Italia: statistics up to 18th February 2025
Historically, Juventus has had the better of most direct clashes, with 113 wins compared to Inter‘s 77. In total, 670 goals have been scored in all competitions between the two teams.
Result of the last meeting:
- Date: 16th February 2025
- Stadium: Allianz Stadium, Turin
- Result: Juventus 1-0 Inter
- Scorer: Francisco Conceição (74′)
Historical statistics:
- Total matches played: 253
- Juventus victories: 113
- Inter victories: 77
- Draws: 63
- Goals scored by Juventus: 358
- Goals scored by Inter: 312
Last five official matches:
- 16/02/2025 – Juventus 1-0 Inter
- 27/10/2024 – Inter 4-4 Juventus
- 04/02/2024 – Inter 1-0 Juventus
- 26/11/2023 – Juventus 1-1 Inter
- 26/04/2023 – Inter 1-0 Juventus
Here is the total balance of the Italian derby
The match on 16th February 2025 was challenge number 253 between these two teams, but there have been 211 challenges in the Italian Serie A championship, with the balance clearly in favour of the Bianconeri, 113 wins to 77 in the total tally and 96 to 61 in the league alone. The goals scored also turn in favour of the Bianconeri, with 358 to 312 (in total) and 300 to 259 in the Serie A championship.
There is parity in the all-time scorers’ list in the challenge, with 12 goals scored by ‘Bonimba’, Roberto Boninsegna (who played for both teams and scored 9 goals with Inter and 3 with Juve). In a tie, two monuments of football history, Giuseppe Meazza, after whom the San Siro stadium, known as ‘La Scala del Calcio’, is named, and Omar Sivori, the great Italo-Argentine ace, famous for his miraculous serpentines.
At the ‘Scala del Calcio’, will the derby of Italy return to the Coppa Italia? (and will it be one of the last times)
The next derby of Italy is not yet known when it will be played. In the Serie A football championship we will definitely go to next season. Instead, there might be yet another derby of Italy, should the two teams pass the next round in the Coppa Italia. We are used to it, the ‘Scala del Calcio’ is a city institution that all Milanese are fond of. A stadium that has an incredible history.
The San Siro stadium, also known as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, is considered one of the temples of world football. It is the home of Milan’s two football teams: Inter and AC Milan. In addition, it has been the stadium where numerous sporting events of international importance have taken place, including four Champions League finals and many matches of the Italia ’90 World Cup.
Even today, on the threshold of its 100th anniversary, the Meazza is the largest stadium in Italy with a total of 75,817 seats (all seats). In August 2009 it was ranked second in The Times’ ranking of the world’s most beautiful stadiums. By the way: do you know what was the derby of Italy with the most spectators in history at San Siro Stadium? The Italian derby with the most spectators at the San Siro Stadium was the one on 4th January 1998, which had 80.569 spectators and ended 1-0 to Inter, with goal from Djorkaeff with assist by Ronaldo.
Inaugurated in 1926, the San Siro stadium has a horseshoe-shaped structure with four covered stands. It has been renovated several times over the years to improve its capacity and the comfort of the fans. Its nickname ‘La Scala del Calcio’ derives from the opera house of the same name in Milan, since, like the theatre, the stadium was designed to accommodate large crowds and represent excellence in sport. Moreover, it has always been famous for its acoustics, all the slightest noises from the pitch could be heard in the stands, so the analogy with La Scala theatre also refers to the excellent sound on the pitch and in the stands.
Unfortunately, as we learned a few days ago, both Milanese football clubs have decided that they will each build their own stadium, announcing to the Milan City Council that the San Siro’s lease will come to an end. We must therefore assume that this edition of the ‘Derby of Italy’ will be one of the last to be played in this legendary stadium. The hope on our part is that the stadium will live on through concerts and other entertainment events, but there is a real fear that the City of Milan will decide to tear it down, due to the enormous running costs of the facility. Let’s hope so!
How the derby of Italy was born and why it is called that way
The Derby of Italy is one of the oldest and most important rivalries in Italian football. It is a match between two of Italy’s most successful and famous teams: Inter of Milan and Juventus of Turin. This derby is characterised by great rivalry and passion between the two fans, and the match was first played in 1909.
The rivalry between Inter and Juventus Turin has historical and geographical origins. The two teams represent two cities that, although both located in northern Italy, are characterised by a different footballing culture, even though they are very close in terms of kilometres travelled. Milan and Turin were part of the post-war industrial triangle, together with Genoa, and represented the rebirth of the country after the ashes and destruction of the Second World War. Moreover, the two teams have very different traditions and histories. While Milan’s Inter was founded by a group of Swiss, Austrians and Italians and has always been the team of the upper and wealthy classes, Turin’s Juventus was founded by a group of students from Turin and represents the working class of Turin’s factories.
The rivalry between the two teams has grown over time thanks to the many epic encounters and challenges that have taken place between them, both in league and cup competitions. The rivalry intensified in the 1960s, when the two teams dominated Italian football, winning virtually every title at stake.
Gianni brera, the great sport reporter and author that invented the name of the “derby of italy”, for the inter-juventus football match.
The term Derby of Italy was coined in 1967 by the great journalist and writer Gianni Brera, when the match between Inter and Juventus became one of the most eagerly awaited in the Italian championship. Not only were these the two teams with the most titles and the most fans in Italy at the time, but they were also the only two teams never to have been relegated from the top division. In 1967, the ownership of Inter and Juventus were also in the hands of the Moratti and Agnelli families respectively, two of the most important economic dynasties of Italy’s booming economy of those years, which helped to give Brera’s expression a social significance as well. Today, the Derby of Italy is one of the most important matches on the Italian football calendar, with fans attaching great importance to this challenge and the rivalry between the two teams continuing to grow from year to year. The match played in Milan on 6 October 2019 and ended 2-1 in favour of the Bianconeri also set the box office record for the Italian football league, with € 6 620 976 (source: Wikipedia).
The derby of Italy in the Fifties and Sixties
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Italian derby between Inter and Juventus was characterised by great balance, with both teams taking turns in winning national and international titles. The matches between the two teams were very balanced and often resolved by technical or tactical details.
In the 1950s, Inter was coached by the great coach Alfredo Foni and had players like Karl Lennart Skoglund and Benito Lorenzi, while Juventus was coached by Renato Cesarini and had great champions like Omar Sivori and John Charles. In the 1950s, Inter won two Scudetti and Juve three. In 1958, Juventus won its first Scudetto in six years, after the one in 1950, winning again in 1952, while Inter won in 1953 and 1954.
In the 1960s, Inter Milan was led by coach Helenio Herrera, who introduced the famous ‘catenaccio’ and created a very strong defensive team, with players like Armando Picchi, Tarcisio Burgnich and Giacinto Facchetti. Juventus, on the other hand, had a very offensive team, with Omar Sivori and José Altafini as their undisputed flag-bearers, but the 1960s were definitely a decade in which Inter made the best of things. In 1961, Inter won its first Scudetto of the decade, then won again in 1963, 1965, 1966 with no less than two Champions Cups in 1964 and 1965.
During the 1960s, one recalls the match of 16 April 1961, won by Inter for pitch invasion, a victory that was later annulled by the Federal Appeal Commission: Juventus won the Scudetto, the match was replayed after the championship finished and ended 9-1 to the Bianconeri. At that point, Inter president Angelo Moratti, in protest, asked Helenio Herrera to send the Primavera players onto the pitch. These matches were characterised by great tension and passion, both on the pitch and in the stands, where the fans of both teams cheered with great enthusiasm and support.
The derby of Italy in the Seventies and Eighties
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Derby of Italy between Inter and Juventus continued to be one of the most anticipated matches in the Italian league, with both teams trying to maintain their prestige and supremacy in Italian football.
During the 1970s, Inter had a very strong team, with players like Facchetti, Oriali, Bini and Mazzola, while Juventus had a very offensive team, with players like Anastasi, Causio and Bettega. In 1971, Inter won its fourteenth Scudetto, while Juventus won the UEFA Cup in 1977. The 1970s were dominated by Juve, who had Trapattoni as their coach and a team that even gave up to nine elevenths of its players to the Italian national football team.
It was in the 1980s, however, that Inter managed to rebalance the historic match, with the arrival of Bersellini, Castagner and other ‘weighty’ coaches and with players such as Altobelli, Beccalossi Bergomi and Rummenigge, while Juventus continued their success under coach Trapattoni, with players such as Cabrini, Gentile, Scirea, Platini, Rossi and Boniek. In 1985, Juventus won its first Champions Cup, while Inter won its second UEFA Cup in 1991.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the Derby of Italy saw many memorable matches, including Inter’s 2-0 win in 1971, which enabled the team to win its 14th Scudetto, and Juventus’ 3-0 victory in 1986, which helped them win their 22nd Scudetto.
In addition, some players have written their own history in this derby, such as Inter striker Sandro Mazzola, who scored several important goals against Juventus, or Juventus midfielder Michel Platini, considered one of the best footballers of all time and author of spectacular goals against Inter.
In general, during the 1970s and 1980s, the Derby of Italy was characterised by great rivalry and passion between the two fans, but also by great respect for the history and prestige of the two teams. This derby has become a symbol of Italian football and continues to arouse great interest and passion among Inter and Juve fans.
The derby of Italy in the Nineties and 2000’s
In the 1990s and 2000s, the Italian derby between Inter and Juventus continued to be one of the most anticipated and exciting matches in the Italian league. Both teams have had periods of success and decline, culminating for Juve with the betting scandal and relegation, the revocation of a Scudetto and the awarding of another Scudetto to rival Inter (2006), and the rivalry between the two fans has remained strong and vibrant, in part due to these extra-football events.
In the 1990s, Inter had a very strong team, with players like Zenga, Bergomi, Berti, Ronaldo and Zamorano, while Juventus had a very offensive team, with players like Del Piero, Vialli and Ravanelli. In 1998, Juventus won their 23rd Scudetto, while Inter won the UEFA Cup in 1998 and 1999.
In the 2000s, Inter was renewed under the leadership of coach Roberto Mancini, with the arrival of players such as Ibrahimovic, Adriano, Cambiasso and Materazzi, while Juventus suffered a difficult period due to the Calciopoli case. In 2005, Juventus won its last Scudetto before bankruptcy and revocation, while Inter won five consecutive Scudettos from 2006 to 2010.
During the 1990s and 2000s, the Derby of Italy saw many memorable matches, including Juventus’ 3-1 victory in 1998, which enabled the team to win its 23rd Scudetto, and Inter’s 2-0 win in 2006, which marked the beginning of their cycle of consecutive Scudetto victories.
Moreover, some players have written their own history in this derby, such as Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, author of several spectacular goals against Juventus, or Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved, author of an unforgettable goal in the 2003 Derby of Italy.
The last years and the future of the Derby of Italy
In recent years, the Italian derby between Inter and Juventus Turin has continued to be one of the most anticipated and important moments in the Italian league, with both teams trying to maintain their supremacy in Italian football. In 2021, Inter won their 19th Scudetto, while Juventus finished in fourth place. In recent matches between the two teams, there has been a great balance, with wins and draws for both teams.
However, the future of the Italian derby is still uncertain. Both teams are going through a period of transition, with both teams trying to make ends meet and balance company accounts.
Nevertheless, the Italian derby will continue to be an important moment for the fans of both teams and for Italian football in general. In the future, there might be an even more heated rivalry, with both teams trying to regain their strength and dominance in Italian football.
In any case, the Derby of Italy will remain one of the most important matches on the Italian football calendar and will continue to arouse great passion and interest among Inter and Juve fans, as well as football fans in general.
The two fans of Inter-Juve are also the biggest in Italy
As of the end of 2010, Juventus and Inter are, with around 13 and 9 million supporters respectively, among the most supported teams in Italy. The Piedmontese are absolute leaders with a 31% share, equivalent to 20% of the Italian population, with the largest following in the South, while Inter, with its 18%, is the second most supported team in the country and the first in the North, cyclically contending for second place with fellow citizens AC Milan (source: Wikipedia).
The derby of Italy is always decided by Inter’s play against Juventus’ character
Inter’s game is now an oiled mechanism that Inzaghi has been able to build with passion and dedication over the past three years. Last year’s mid-season criticism is just a memory and, despite this year’s turnover in the squad, it is tried and tested. Little talk, the data speak for themselves: best attack, best defence (and therefore also best goal difference) in the league to date, after 12 matches, before the derby of Italy in Turin. On the contrary, Thuram has proved to be a horse’s move that has been able to give new geometries compared to the effective but predictable ones between Lukaku and Dzeko. Inter are undoubtedly the best team in the league in terms of play.
It is not that Inter have no character, quite the contrary. But Juventus is incredible in this factor and always manages to rise again, despite points penalties, scandals, trials, total chaos: nothing can dent the character of the Bianconeri. No other team wants to win like Juve does this year, and this season they have never let themselves be taken back when they were ahead.
Both teams have an enviable winning streak: Inter is coming from four wins and a draw, Juventus has scored full points in their last five matches.
The two defences are the best in the league: Locatelli and Rabiot light up the Bianconeri’s defence immensely, so we can undoubtedly nickname it the ‘Lady of Steel’, while Inter expresses strength everywhere, especially with Acerbi and Bremer.
In attack, Lautaro and Thuram are an invaluable treasure and have scored many more goals than Juve. The wide range reflects well the different quality of play, rather than that of individual players.
Finally, let us look at the challenge of the two coaches Simone Inzaghi, Inter side, and Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus side. In terms of triumphs won, it is obvious that there is no history and that the scales are tipped in favour of the Juventino, but perhaps it is Inzaghi’s ambition and hunger for victories that could be rewarded.
After the Derby of Italy we wait for you at AN Hotels for a night of relaxation
Whenever the Derby of Italy will be played at San Siro Stadium, and although Milan and Turin are not far away, we suggest you stay overnight in South Milano, Melegnano, in our AN Hotels. Don’t forget, then, that our hotel, in addition to offering all the comforts, is also immersed in the silence and in the area of the Milano Sud agricultural park, so you can find opportunities for walks in nature after the pomp of the football evening.
Book here below!
AN Hotel Melegnano
Email: info@an-hotels.com
Phone: +390280012312
Address: Via Don Dossetti, 2 Carpiano, Milano 20074
AN Park Hotel ibis Styles Settala
Email: info@an-hotels.com
Phone: +3902839901
Address: Via delle Industrie, Snc, 20090 Milano
