Esposito and Zielinski: ‘Nights you dream of as a child’ after 3-2 Inter victory | OneFootball

Piotr Zielinski and Francesco Pio Esposito are relishing Inter’s 3-2 victory over 10-man Juventus. ‘Nights like this are what you dream of when you start playing football.’

It was another dramatic Derby d’Italia at San Siro, in the same vein as the 4-4 draw from last season and Juve’s 4-3 victory back in September.

Andrea Cambiaso bizarrely scored at both ends before the controversial Pierre Kalulu red card, then Manuel Locatelli replied to Esposito’s header, but Zielinski won it at the death drilling through Locatelli’s legs to wrong-foot Michele Di Gregorio.

Esposito and Zielinski get the Inter party started

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: FC Internazionale Milano players celebrate their team’s first goal which was an own goal scored by Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus (not pictured) during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“It is very important, but the whole team played well and deserved this, so we will enjoy the victory, it’s a big deal,” Zielinski told Sky Sport Italia.

“We’ve got to avoid situations like the equaliser, as we had taken the lead with a great Pio goal and then showed a lack of concentration, but the important thing is that we won it.”

Inter had famously failed to beat any of the other big clubs so far this season, but this was an important turning point in their campaign, especially as it sees them break away at the top of the table.

“All teams have to face all other teams in the league. Juve are a great team, but even when we didn’t bring home the three points, we still put in strong performances.”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Federico Dimarco during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Inter 3-2 Juventus

Esposito is a lifelong Inter supporter and his season just keeps going from strength to strength, finding the net in every competition.

“Nights like this are what you dream of when you start playing football as a child,” 20-year-old Esposito told Sky Sport Italia.

“The maximum I could ask for tonight was a victory and a goal, and I got them.”

Inter continue to surge away at the top of the Serie A table, awaiting Milan’s rescheduled clash with Como on Wednesday.

“We can’t talk about reaching the finish line yet, as there is a long way to go, but this is certainly a very important result for us.”