Juventus rested top players and had nothing to play for, but still conquered Inter 2-1 at the San Siro thanks to a Samir Handanovic howler. The Derby da Italia had an unusual feel to it, as Juve had already won the Scudetto and rested numerous players ahead of the Coppa Italia Final. They were fresh from earning their first Champions League Final spot in 12 years against Barcelona, so confidence was sky high. Hernanes was suspended for the hosts, plus Fredy Guarin, Jonathan, Dodo and Hugo Campagnaro injured, so Xherdan Shaqiri got a rare start.
A seven-game unbeaten streak had taken Inter to within touching distance of a place in the Europa League next season and that positive trend looked set to continue when Icardi got the deftest of touches with his chest to Brozovic’s shot to divert the ball into the far corner of Marco Storari’s goal.
Rodrigo Palacio had a shot saved by Storari and Xherdan Shaqiri hit the crossbar with Brozovic’s goal on the rebound ruled out for a marginal offside decision as the hosts asserted themselves on the game. Juve, fresh from booking their place in the final of the Champions League and with a changed starting XI, were not at the races until Alessandro Matri was put through on goal and he went down under the challenge of Nemanja Vidic just before half-time. Marchisio stepped up to send Samir Handanovic the wrong way and bring the Bianconeri level.
After the break, Morata had two chances to give Juve the lead. First, he raced past Andrea Ranocchia but for the third time in the match his shot rippled the side netting, before heading a Stephan Lichtsteiner cross over from close range. Mateo Kovacic then played a delightful ball over the defence for Danilo Da Ambrosio whose first time volley sailed past the far post. Brozovic had another shot blocked, before Icardi headed wide as Inter looked to get themselves back in front.
It was, however, Juventus who took the lead. Good strength in the penalty area from Paul Pogba saw the ball ricochet to Morata on the edge of the area. His effort seemed to bobble in the six-yard box which wrong footed Handanovic allowing the ball to bounce over the goalkeeper and into the goal. Inter looked to get straight back onto level terms but a stupendous double save from Storari kept the away side ahead. First denying Palacio then stopping Icardi from close range. Despite there being five minutes of stoppage time, Inter were unable to find an equalising goal.
The defeat leaves Inter in eighth place in Serie A, one point behind both Sampdoria and Genoa, and two back from Fiorentina in the race for Europa League football next season. Inter are eighth in the table on 52 points, two adrift of Sampdoria and the last Europa League preliminary round spot. Juventus, who clinched their fourth successive title two weeks ago, have 83 points from 36 games.