Inter squandered the chance to reclaim top spot in Serie A after they were held at home to champions Juventus in a frantic Derby D'Italia.

A high-octane opening quarter

Despite Inter’s early pressure, it was Juventus who nearly struck first blood on the counter. Alvaro Morata, who was a doubt prior to the game after sustaining a leg injury on international duty, liberated Juan Cuadrado down the right, but the Colombian shot straight at Samir Handanovic. The on loan wideman’s presence was already being felt.

But it was the referee, Paolo Valeri, who was stealing the early headlines. Within six minutes Claudio Marchisio was admonished for a cynical trip on Stefan Jovetic, while his midfield adversary, the bullish Felipe Melo, also had his name scribbled into the notebook.

Juve continued to pose a threat in the final-third as Simone Zaza raced in-behind the opposing rearguard on 10 minutes. His effort, however, sailed into the stands.

Indecision seemed to consume the Italian forward, moreover, when he spun Jeison Murillo and opted to go alone when Morata drifted into space. The Colombian duly recovered and retrieved possession. 

Inter onslaught

The referee then waved away Nerazzurri protestations when the ball ostensibly struck the hand of Leonardo Bonucci via an Ivan Perisic flick.

Seconds later, the hosts constructed their most menacing opportunity of the half. Murillo strided forward and threaded a sumptuous pass through to Jovetic but Giorgio Chiellini raced back to thwart his effort. Inter, though, were in the ascendency. 

Their influence was most pronounced when Gianluigi Buffon diverted Marcelo Brozovic’s curling effort onto the crossbar on 28 minutes. 

Juve steadied themselves and were left reeling when Felipe Melo avoided a second yellow after upending Sami Khedira in midfield.

Bianconeri begin brightly

The second period began in similar vain to the first as Zaza, within seconds of the restart, pilfered possession from the overelaborate Murillo and teed up Cuadrado. Handanovic, thankfully for Mancini, was equal to his effort.

Marchisio then skewed an effort into the stands after Morata and Cuadrado had dovetailed effectively down the right.

Inter did, however, fashion a chance of their own when the ball sat up perfectly for Jovetic to unleash an effort at Buffon’s goal. The power may have been present, but the Italy No.1 collected comfortably.

Juve wrestled back the initiative and, on 68 minutes, struck the woodwork. Khedira, unmarked in the six yard box, beat Handanovic with his deft side foot effort but could not beat the post.

Both sides share the spoils

Attempts, certainly when weighed against the opening 45 minutes, were at a premium. Max Allegri then sent for Mario Mandzukic with 20 minutes remaining.

Andrea Barzagli, an assured presence throughout, made a decisive intervention minutes later as Perisic lurked at the far stick.

Mandzukic then sent Cuadrado’s cross into the rear of Murillo with three minutes remaining.