A blockbuster 4-4 draw in this season’s reverse fixture was decidedly out of character for both sides, who boast two of the three meanest defences in the Italian top flight.
But after a dominant start from the visitors, the 184th Serie A head-to-head exploded into life with chances at both ends.
The Nerazzurri ought to have taken the lead when Lautaro Martinez’s cross was headed high and wide by Denzel Dumfries, with that chance coming moments after Mehdi Taremi’s overhead kick was kept out by Michele Di Gregorio.
The Bianconeri responded in kind, as Nicolas Gonzalez and Francisco Conceicao each worked Yann Sommer via low drives, with the Portuguese’s particularly testing for the Swiss stopper.
While Inter retained greater control of the match, opportunities continued to fall Juve’s way, with only a deflection off Alessandro Bastoni preventing Randal Kolo Muani’s volley from heading towards goal.
At the other end, Martinez was the next away player to spurn a big chance to break the deadlock as he blazed over from a well-placed Dumfries cutback.
The Dutch wing-back was a constant threat to Juventus throughout the first half, and he came inches away from the opening goal on the stroke of half-time when he rifled an effort against the post.
The intervention of both coaches at the interval tightened the game up, with very few chances being created in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Simone Inzaghi responded with a triple change on the hour mark, introducing Marcus Thuram who was an immediate threat, with his cutback met by Dumfries, who was denied by a combination of Di Gregorio and the post.
That would prove a crucial save, as the Old Lady rallied to grab the lead through Conceicao, who stroked home after some stunning work from Kolo Muani to spin away from defenders and find the winger.
Inter had failed to score multiple goals in 10 of the previous 11 league visits to Juve, and their faint comeback hopes were nearly ended in quick fashion when Teun Koopmeiners took aim at goal, but Dumfries was on hand to clear off the line.
The visitors’ response lacked conviction, with plenty of possession but very little to show for it at the sharp end. As a result, their poor run in the league extends to one win in four matches as they miss out on the chance to move to the top of the table ahead of Napoli.
It’s a big win for the Bianconeri, however, as they win a third successive home league match for the first time this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Francisco Conceicao (Juventus)