Juan Sebastian Veron's extra time strike handed Inter their first Italian Supercup since 1989, but Juve feel hard done by after a controversial encounter.
The Italian version of the Charity Shield saw Scudetto winners Juventus welcome Coppa Italia holders Inter to the Stadio Delle Alpi. The Bianconeri were without the injured Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Birindelli and Lilian Thuram, but Mauro Camoranesi recovered from a muscular problem to start.
Alessandro Del Piero – at the centre of rumours he is to join Milan – was left on the bench alongside ex-Rossoneri goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
Inter fielded Adriano and Obafemi Martins, but the much-anticipated Luis Figo was in the stands due to his lack of match fitness. There was heavy rainfall in Turin and this made play somewhat difficult.
Nonetheless, Juve had an aggressive start and within the first two minutes Patrick Vieira’s header had skimmed the crossbar and Emerson ballooned over. Inter fought back with two Adriano efforts charged down by his former teammate Fabio Cannavaro, then Martins’ shot was blocked by Jonathan Zebina.
Francesco Toldo spilled a Zlatan Ibrahimovic shot and Marco Materazzi had to hurriedly clear for a corner kick.
The Swedish international could’ve set up David Trezeguet in a one-on-one situation with Toldo just before the break, but Ibrahimovic’s first touch let him down.
There was controversy in stoppages, as Trezeguet hit the back of the net only to see his goal disallowed for a very debatable offside position.
Ibrahimovic had another great chance in the second half, his finish shaving the far post, then five minutes later he skipped through three opponents and brought a tough save out of Toldo.
The best scoring opportunity of the game so far fell to Vieira on 57 minutes, as his header thumped the upright with the goalkeeper beaten.
Inter only really went close with Adriano individual efforts and he tested Antonio Chimenti soon after. The Brazilian combined brilliantly with Martins to leave the ‘keeper stranded, but Gianluca Zambrotta managed to get back for a goal line clearance.
Del Piero was introduced for the final 20 minutes and almost immediately had the opportunity to take advantage of a Walter Samuel error, but the Italian international somehow managed to miss an open goal.
Samuel replaced the injured Materazzi, but Ibrahimovic continued to torture the Inter defence with his tricks and turns, setting up a Trezeguet header and Pavel Nedved long-range attempt.
Hopeful Juan Sebastian Veron and Martins efforts failed to trouble Chimenti, so the game went into extra time.
Del Piero’s shot was deflected off target by teammate Emerson and it was Inter who broke the deadlock against the run of play six minutes into extra time. It was a counter-attack sparked by Juan Sebastian Veron, then Adriano did well to roll the ball across for the unmarked Argentine to thump home from the edge of the box.
Toldo completely misjudged Del Piero’s free kick and it was Adriano who proved decisive with a goal line clearance to rescue his ‘keeper. The shot-stopper was more confident on a glancing Emerson header and Adrian Mutu was thrown on for the final siege, but this just gave Adriano more room and he wasted a good chance to double Inter’s lead after dribbling past Robert Kovac.
Nonetheless, the Nerazzurri held on to earn their second Supercoppa – the first was grabbed by Giovanni Trapattoni in their record-breaking 1989 campaign – but Juve’s fans will feel hard done by after Trezeguet’s valid first half goal was disallowed.
Juventus 0-1 Inter (aet)
Scorer: Veron 96 (I)
Juventus: Chimenti; Zebina (Mutu 110), Cannavaro, Kovac, Zambrotta; Camoranesi (Del Piero 71), Vieira, Emerson, Nedved; Trezeguet (Zalayeta 103), Ibrahimovic
Inter: Toldo; J Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi (Samuel 63), Favalli; Stankovic, Veron, Cambiasso, Ze Maria (Pizarro 59); Adriano, Martins (Recoba 100)
Ref: De Santis
Buy on AliExpress.com
