Juventus missed a chance to restore their three-point lead atop Serie A following a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan on Tuesday evening in the Derby d’Italia.

Carlos Tevez fired Juve ahead in just the fifth minute, and the hosts appeared set for victory after dominating the first 45 minutes. But Inter improved after the break and equalised through Mauro Icardi in the 64th minute.

The visitors had perhaps the best chance for a late winner but finished the match with 10 men following Mateo Kovacic‘s dismissal four minutes from time.

With the draw, Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus retained top spot in the Serie A table with 40 points through 17 matches. But the Bianconeri, who led by three points over the winter break, saw their lead trimmed to one point following Roma’s controversial victory at Udinese earlier Tuesday.

Juventus will resume their quest for a fourth straight league title with a tricky trip to Napoli on Sunday.

Inter, who moved ahead of Udinese and into 11th place with the draw, host Genoa the same day.

Intriguing storylines abounded ahead of kick-off. For Inter, new signing Lukas Podolski started on the bench after the German forward completed his loan move from Arsenal on Monday, per Sky Sports. Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini was set to face Juve striker Tevez for the first time as Inter manager. The two had a sometimes-strained relationship when both were with Manchester City in England. 

Within moments of the opening whistle, the action on the pitch took centre stage. Juve missed a big chance in the second minute as Claudio Marchisio blasted wide, Tevez having supplied the final pass after fine buildup play by the Bianconeri.

It mattered little, however. Three minutes later, the hosts went ahead.

Arturo Vidal served as the catalyst, brilliantly creating the opening with the deft flick of the heel. Fernando Llorente passed to the Chilean on the right side of the box, where Vidal used a clever touch with the inside of his heel to open up space and beat his marker. Chasing down the ball near the byline, Vidal crossed into the goalmouth, where Tevez tapped in for 1-0.

Inter attempted to gain a foothold throughout the remainder of the first half, but Juventus continued to create the better chances. Vidal came close to a goal of his own in the 12th minute, seeing his low shot tipped over the bar after Inter failed to clear a corner.

The Chilean had another chance in the 27th minute, but his bouncing effort from outside the box was saved by Samir Handanovic.

The Inter goalkeeper saved again in the 35th minute, stopping Paul Pogba one-on-one after Pogba slalomed through a crowd of defenders in the box.

Still trailing by a goal at half-time, Inter introduced Podolski for Zdravko Kuzmanovic in the 54th minute. The Nerazzurri produced their first shot on target 10 minutes later, and it turned into the equaliser.

Fredy Guarin carved open Juve‘s defence with an incisive pass into the right side of the box. Outpacing his marker, Icardi ran onto the ball and beat Gianluigi Buffon from a tight angle to make it 1-1 in the 64th minute.

Juventus nearly retook the lead in the 69th minute as Andrea Pirlo curled a fine free-kick on target. Handanovic initially appeared beaten, but the goalkeeper recovered in time to swat the ball away.

The hosts had a penalty appeal turned down in the 71st minute as substitute Alvaro Morata went to ground in the box following a challenge by Hugo Campagnaro. Replays suggested Campagnaro had made contact outside the box, but referee Luca Banti booked Morata for simulation.

Juve came close again in the 77th minute, Pogba heading just wide from a corner. Four minutes later at the other end, Inter came even closer, Icardi placing a potential tap-in wide after Podolski had crossed from the left.

Inter went down to 10 men in the 86th minute as Kovacic saw red for a reckless challenge on Juventus‘ Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Juventus were unable to take advantage of the numerical advantage, however, and the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

 

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