Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo heaps praise on one Inter Milan player

On the back of an enthralling yet goalless draw in Derbi d’Italia, Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo tipped his hat to one Inter Milan player.

If you follow Juventus and are one of their most devoted admirers, you are no stranger to the fierce rivalry going on for ages between Inter Milan and Juventus. They call the encounter, “Derby d’Italia”.

Juventus met Antonio Conte’s Inter for the third time on Tuesday night over the last few weeks. Inter was the first team and yet the last team to beat Juventus since the turn of the year. But it was a game played in Serie A.

This time, it was a knock-out semi-final tie in Coppa Italia. The 2-0 league defeat made Juve learn the lesson. And it seemed they not only learned the lessons but also altered their game in a bid to humiliate the Nerazzurri.

Samir Handanovič was Juventus’ biggest obstacle in the second leg

When both clubs confronted each other at San Siro for the first leg, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s brace proved to be enough to hand the Old Lady a one-goal aggregate lead.

On Tuesday, Conte’s men needed to score at least two goals to see them through to the final of the respective competition.

Through the entirety of the game, there was everything—from on-field spats to off-field trash talks. As it eventually came out, what was really missing from the grand spectacle was the opening goal.

And Inter’s Samir Handanovič remained one of the many reasons as to why spectators had to watch a game full of excitement, tension, and confusion—but a goal.

In the post-match press conference, Andrea Pirlo didn’t think twice before tipping his hat off to Handanovič, who single-handedly saved Inter from another shambolic night in Turin.

He said to Rai Sport (via Gazzetta.it):

"“Today we were a lot; Inter have hardly ever shot and Handanovic was the best Nerazzurri. It is a final that we deserved in front of a great team like Inter.”"

If stats provide by Fbref.com are something to go by, the 36-year-old shot-stopper made four saves in the game, including some clear cut chances that could have been deadlock broker on the night had he not been under the bars.

Appreciating the Inter goalkeeper in the post-match interview was a nice touch of sophistication from the 41-year-old gaffer. Pirlo’s men next face Napoli in Serie A this Saturday.