Friday 20 February 2015 22:32, UK
Andrea Pirlo rolled back the years to send Juventus 10 points clear at the top of Serie A with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Atalanta on Friday night.
The Italian giants took full advantage to extend their lead over second-placed Roma, who are not in action until Sunday when they travel to Verona, with a battling win on home soil.
The victory also maintained Juventus' unbeaten run at home this season, and extended their run without loss in all competitions at the Juventus Stadium to 31.
Fernando Llorente and Pirlo got the goals for the hosts after the visitors had taken an early lead through Guilio Migliaccio.
It was an excellent win for Massimiliano Allegri's side, who warmed up for their Champions League last-16 clash against Borussia Dortmund next week in fine style, although they had 35-year-old Pirlo to thank following his magical winner just before half-time.
The visitors took a shock lead against the run of play when they won a corner on the right on 25 minutes that was superbly delivered by former Dutch international Urby Emanuelson.
A near post cross was met by a glancing header from Migliaccio whose decisive touch bounced off the far post and behind the startled Gianluigi Buffon for only the seventh goal conceded by Juventus all season at their home ground.
It was Migliaccio's first league goal of the season.
Roberto Peyeyra almost equalised immediately following the restart when set up by Argentine Carlos Tevez but his close range shot was deflected behind by the legs of Atalanta 'keeper Marco Sportiello.
However, constant pressure from the league leaders paid off six minutes before half-time when they levelled the match.
A corner from the right led to a scramble inside the six-yard box and Llorente stabbed the ball over the line for his fifth goal of the season.
Juventus then took the lead moments later thanks to a stroke of brilliance from Pirlo, who sent a powerful swerving shot from 35 yards past the despairing dive of Sportiello just before the break.
It was harsh on the visitors who had battled gamely but Pirlo's strike was unstoppable, his third of the league campaign, and another example of why he remains one of the best midfielders in the game.
The rest of the match remained scoreless as Juventus protected their advantage and gave themselves the ideal preparation ahead of the arrival of Dortmund next Tuesday.
