On This Day: A derby (in Turin) that put Roma on course for the title

Following Roma’s visit to Fiorentina, a journalist at the time opted for the headline, “We’ll never forget this Sunday”, and he was right.

Thirty-eight years later, 27 March 1983 remains a key date in the club’s illustrious history.

It was made unique by Torino’s stunning comeback in the Turin derby, which saw them go from 2-0 down to 3-2 up in just 142 seconds. During the 90 minutes in the two games in Florence and Turin, Juve were at one stage within just one point of league-leaders Roma, but ended the day four points off the pace.

After a hard-earned 2-2 draw, Nils Liedholm’s side’s grip on the Scudetto became tighter and tighter.

We take a look back at every minute of a rollercoaster of football action filled with emotions and ups and downs. At the kick-off time of 15:30, Roma were on 34 points, while Juve were three behind on 31 back in the era of two points for a win.

15:40: Fiorentina take the lead

Roma’s lead is cut from four to three points, as Fiorentina take the lead at the Artemio Franchi thanks to a left-footed strike by Daniele Massaro, with Giancarlo Antognoni providing the assist. It remains goalless in Turin.

Roma 34, Juventus 32

15.45: Juventus score and pull within one point

Paolo Rossi pounces on a mistake by Michel van de Korput to beat Giuliano Terraneo and give Juve the lead. Fiorentina are still a goal to the good at the Franchi. The pressure is on Roma, with their lead cut to just one point.

Roma 34, Juventus 33

15.49: Pruzzo gets on the scoresheet

Goooooaaaal! A moment of magic by Roberto Pruzzo draws the Giallorossi level in Florence. There’s no good news coming in from Turin, however, as Juve remain in the lead.

Roma 35, Juventus 33

16:49: Prohaska fires Roma ahead

Renzo Contratto takes down Odoacre Chierico and referee Luigi Agnolin points to the spot. Herbert Prohaska makes no mistake, sending the Roma faithful into raptures. There’s no change to the scoreline in Turin.

Roma 36, Juventus 33

16:51: Platini doubles things up

With Roma winning 2-1 in Florence, the Vecchia Signora are showing no sign of letting up. Zbigniew Boniek is brought down in the box for a penalty, which Michel Platini misses, but the Frenchman manages to poke home the rebound after Giuliano Terraneo fails to gather the ball in. The Bianconeri are 2-0 up.

Roma 36, Juventus 33

16:56: Torino start the comeback

With Roma 2-1 up in Florence, Torino cut the arrears. Could it be the start of a comeback? Roberto Galbiati’s cross is converted by Giuseppe Dossena. Torino 1-2 Juventus.

Roma 36, Juventus 33

16:57: Roars at the Franchi as Torino equalise

Remarkable: Torino draw level just a minute after Dossena’s goal! Another pinpoint cross from the left, this time by Paolo Beruatto, is met by Alessandro Bonesso to make it 2-2. A roar erupts in Florence, where Roma are still 2-1 up.

Roma 36, Juventus 32

16:59: The Turin miracle continues

Miraculous scenes in Turin. Van de Korput makes amends for his blunder early on by conjuring up an assist for Fortunato Torrisi, who volleys home to make it 3-2 to the hosts. There’s delirium in Florence, with Roma now enjoying a five-point lead over Juventus with just five games to go. Given that it is two points for a win, such a gap all but seals the Scudetto for the Giallorossi as it stands.

Roma 36, Juventus 31

Fiorentina equalise, but the path to the title gets clearer

Everyone’s hearts and heads are now focused on Turin. Falcao later explained, “Nela shouted at me: ‘Juve are losing!’ I burst out laughing. I looked at the scoreboard and couldn’t believe it.”

Fiorentina take advantage of the lapse in concentration, as Antognoni’s cross is diverted into his own net by Carlo Ancelotti.

“I saw the ball coming into the middle towards Graziani and I thought I could get there first,” was the midfielder’s explanation after the contest.

Ancelotti quickly got over his mistake, given that Torino’s comeback allowed Roma to extend their lead at the top of the table over Platini’s Juventus.

The Baron’s boys were almost home and dry.

17.04: Roma 35, Juventus 31