Juventus outclass Inter and go top of the Serie A: Key Talking Points

Juventus laid a marker in the Serie A title race at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza with a 2-1 victory over Internazionale.

The Bianconeri inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Inter to go top of the table.

I Nerazzurri went into Sunday's game as one of only two sides in Europe's top five leagues to have won every game so far this season - Liverpool being the other team.

And while there's a lot to be excited about in this Inter side, Juventus were deserved victors.

Here are five key talking points from the fiercely contested Derby d'Italia.

5. 'Sarriball' and smart substitutions

Maurizio Sarri sprung a surprise by opting to start with Paulo Dybala and Federico Bernardeschi up front alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

The decision to start Dybala was vindicated very early, with him pouncing on a pass from Miralem Pjanic to slam it past a stunned Samir Handanovic. 

But Inter got back on level terms when Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt handled the ball, with Lautaro Martinez converting the penalty.

Sarri managed to quickly adapt to the situation and made a double substitution after an hour bringing on in-form Gonzalo Higuain and Rodrigo Bentacur.

Ronaldo and Bentancur combined to send Higuain through for the winner.

It seems 'Sarriball' is alive and well in Serie A. Sarri came out stronger than Antonio Conte in the battle between the two former Chelsea bosses. 

4. Lautaro's display of valour

Inter fans had a hate-hate relationship with Mauro Icardi before the Argentine departed on loan for Paris Saint-Germain, but in Lautaro Martinez it looks like they have the perfect replacement.

The 22-year-old is an all-action kind of forward with quick feet, and he gave Juve's centre backs a few torrid moments with some nifty movement in tight areas. 

Lautaro scored the equaliser for the Nerazzurri after Juventus picked up an early lead, and was calm and composed as he effortlessly slotted home the penalty past a diving Wojciech Szczesny.

Juve's front three were supported well by the midfield trio of Blaise Matuidi, Miralem Pjanic and Sami Khedira. 

In stark contrast, Martinez had scant supply and assistance from his teammates, but he was reluctant to go down without a fight. 

His goal count will likely be secondary to Romelu Lukaku's this season, while Stefano Sensi remains a threat, but his movement and lightning pace will play a major role in Inter's attack this term.

3. Cristiano puts in a classy shift

While Inter's defenders fared reasonably well against Juventus' offensive forays during the bulk of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo remained a massive threat and came alive in many attacking moments. 

CR7 rattled the crossbar and then had a goal ruled out when Dybala was in an offside position.

The Portuguese maestro was also heavily involved in Higuain's winner, receiving the ball twice and passing to Rodrigo Bentancur in a sharp phase of play.

It was arguably one of the best games he has had for the 'Old Lady', and he was plain unlucky to not have ended on the scoresheet.

A goal was the only thing lacking, as far as he is concerned. It also raises an important point as to the need of pairing Ronaldo alongside Dybala, because when the duo clicks, there is magic on the field.

Ronaldo covered a lot of ground, was highly involved in tracking back, and his exemplary work rate was laudable, to say the least. 

2. The Argentine 'goal' factor

A pivotal talking point from yesterday's match was the eerie coincidence of all three scorers belonging to a single country; Argentina.

Paulo Dybala had opened the scoring in the fourth minute at the San Siro. Dybala's sharp strike caught Samir Handanovic napping in just the fourth minute. 

But it was another Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez who drew the scores level soon after, slamming home a penalty following Matthijs de Ligt's handball.

However, substitute Higuain settled the contest in the 80th minute, finishing off a flowing move to send Juve above Inter by a point before the international break.

As the international break looms large, it really bodes well for Argentina that their marksmen are in top goalscoring form.

Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina head coach, will be pleased as punch to see his boys doing tremendously well for their respective clubs.

1. Higuain's winner: a thing of beauty

The match was heading for a draw before Gonzalo Higuain popped up in the 80th minute to secure all three points for Maurizio Sarri's side. 

Higuain's finish alone was impressive, as he cooly slotted the ball past Slovenian keeper Handanovic, but it was the build-up to Juve's winner that should really have people talking. 

It was such a superb team move, and in fact, it might be already up there with the best goals we have seen in 2019.

It started with the ball on the halfway line before a total of 16 passes from nine different players saw the Serie A champions move through midfield. 

It was truly one of the best team efforts this year, to conclude a clinical display from the reigning champions.