Torino 2-1 Juventus: Granata end 20-year derby drought
After 20 years without victory over the Bianconeri goals from Matteo Darmian and Fabio Quagliarella cancelled out a first-half Andrea Pirlo free kick, finally ending the Granata’s derby misery.
With Carlos Tevez, Patrice Evra, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini rested after their midweek Champions League exertions in Monaco, though, it was the Granata that started the match on the front foot.
Under a haze of pyrotechnic smoke the first-half was played at fascinating pace, despite Juventus’ best efforts to lower the tempo at every opportunity.
However, while Torino striker Quagliarella was first to test either goalkeeper on nine minutes, the hosts were largely restricted to efforts from distance.
The Bianconeri had the better chances early on, Pirlo lofting an amazing pass onto the chest of Alessandro Matri just yards from goal, who somehow managed to blaze over.
Five minutes later Juventus burst through after a double error from Alessandro Gazzi; but after Roberto Pereyra laid the ball into Matri’s path, Torino captain Kamil Glik slid in to nudge the ball away.
The Bianconeri did take the lead on 36 minutes, though, Pirlo sending a curling free kick in and off the underside of the crossbar.
With seconds of the opening 45 remaining the Granata levelled, Darmian failing to control Quagliarella’s cross, sending the ball looping into the air, surprised everyone by volleying his own ‘pass’ past Gianluigi Buffon.
In a far more subdued second period Juventus nearly found a second on 52 minutes, Pirlo in a near identical position rattling Daniele Padelli’s left post with another free-kick.
However, in the 57th minute Torino went ahead, Darmian released inside the box on the left and sending the ball across low for Quagliarella to tap in.
As the Granata began to retreat the Bianconeri had a wonderful chance to equalise on 70 minutes, but Arturo Vidal headed a Pereyra cross well wide from six yards out.
Juventus went even closer seven minutes later, Matri’s header from a similar position deflected off a Torino head and grazing the post.
With 10 minutes to go, Josef Martinez had a goal disallowed for offside and the Bianconeri quickly countered, but only to be denied by the Torino post once more.
The hosts defending stoutly during an almost endless assault on their goal from the reigning Serie A champions to record a memorable win at the Olimpico.
Unable to clinch a fourth successive Scudetto on the day, the Bianconeri will not have long to wait and will hope to do so when they welcome Fiorentina to the Juventus Stadium Wednesday night.
With faint hopes of European qualification alive and kicking coach Giampiero Ventura will take his troops to Sicily in great confidence, aiming to overcome the challenge of Palermo.