TURIN – The Nerazzurri staged a superb second-half comeback to cancel out Carlos Tevez's early opener and take a point home from Juventus Stadium thanks to a fine finish from Mauro Icardi.
Having fallen behind in the 5th minute and soaking up plenty of Bianconeri pressure in the first 45 minutes, Roberto Mancini's men looked a different side after the break. Icardi latched onto Fredy Guarin's smart through ball to clip past Gigi Buffon midway through the second period and Inter ended the game on the front foot - with substitute Lukas Podolski lively on his debut - but couldn't find a winner.
Juventus began at full pelt and fired off an early warning shot when Tevez teed up Marchisio, who sent his effort wide from the edge of the box. Within a minute Guarin lined up an effort of his own down the other end which flew wide from all of 30 yards. No doubt about it: this was a high-octane encounter from the off.
The hosts took the lead five minutes in as Vidal did brilliantly to knock the ball past his man with his heel and deliver a low ball into the path of Tevez, the Argentine making no mistake and steering home from close range.
Inter backed off, the Bianconeri upped the tempo and went close to adding a second through Vidal, his goalbound effort blocked by D'Ambrosio.
The Nerazzurri had the chance to break with purpose in the 27th minute when Mateo Kovacic carried the ball forward and looked to play it in behind for Icardi but his pass was too heavy.
Juve continued to pile on the pressure and Paul Pogba had a golden opportunity to double their advantage after shimmying between Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus to find himself one on one with Handanovic: the keeper did well to stay on his feet and make the save.
After the restart Podolski came on for his debut (53) and Inter advanced further into enemy territory. D'Ambrosio was finding some joy down the left flank and on one occasion managed to put a decent cross onto Hernanes' head, only for the Brazilian to loop over.
The equaliser came on 64 minutes. Guarin picked out Icardi's run with a delightful threaded pass and the Argentine knocked it past Buffon from a wide angle with his first touch.
That was the cue for the start of a different match. Inter grew in stature and after Handanovic beat away Pirlo's free kick and Pogba headed wide Mancini's men fashioned themselves several chances to clinch victory.
Podolski won the ball in midfield and sprinted away down the left before driving a pinpoint delivery across towards Icardi at the far post. The Argentine came sliding in but knocked the ball just wide of the post.
Immediately afterwards Guarin tried his luck from distance before Buffon clawed Icardi's strike away from the top corner and Inter caught Juventus on the break again but failed to make the most of it as Icardi's effort finished well wide.
With four minutes left on the clock, Kovacic's lunge on Lichtsteiner was punished with a red card and the Nerazzurri had to see out the game with ten men.
Yet it was Inter who very nearly caught the Bianconeri on the counter in stoppage time as Podolski raced onto a hoofed ball upfield: Buffon was forced to come out as far as the centre circle to boot away the danger.
It was a creditable point to start 2015 but Inter will be determined to take all three when they host Genoa at the Meazza for Sunday's lunchtime kick-off.
Juventus 1-1 Inter (HT 1-0)
Scorers: Tevez 5, Icardi 64.
Juventus: 1 Buffon; 26 Lichtsteiner, 19 Bonucci, 3 Chiellini, 33 Evra; 8 Marchisio, 21 Pirlo, 6 Pogba; 23 Vidal (Pereyra 78); 10 Tevez, 14 Llorente (Morata 63).
Subs not used: 30 Storari, 34 Rubinho, 4 Caceres, 5 Ogbonna, 7 Pepe, 11 Coman, 12 Giovinco, 20 Padoin, 38 Mattiello, 39 Marrone.
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 14 Campagnaro, 23 Ranocchia, 5 Juan Jesus, 33 D'Ambrosio; 13 Guarin, 18 Medel, 17 Kuzmanovic (Podolski 53); 10 Kovacic, 88 Hernanes (Osvaldo 85); 9 Icardi (M'Vila 89).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 6 Andreolli, 15 Vidic, 20 Obi, 22 Dodò, 28 Puscas, 44 Krhin, 54 Donkor, 90 M'Vila, 97 Bonazzoli.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Booked: Icardi 66, Ranocchia 68, Morata 71, Juan Jesus 80, Bonucci 81, Medel 84.
Sent off: Kovacic 87.
Added time: 0+3 minutes.
Referee: Banti.
Assistants: Nicoletti, Dobosz.
4th official: Bianchi.
Additional assistants: Rizzoli, Gervasoni.
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LE PAROLE DI MISTER MANCINI POST JUVENTUS - INTER
