Juventus hit back from a goal down to see off Atalanta 2-1 in Turin last night thanks to a stunning Andrea Pirlo strike.

Yesterday’s game was brought forward to aid Juventus’s preparations for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

The Bianconeri went into the match seven points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A despite drawing two of their last three, including a shock 2-2 at Cesena.

Atalanta, who had lost their last nine consecutive league meetings with Juventus, stunned the leaders with a 25th-minute goal.

In a fast counter-attack, Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made a good save on Daniele Baselli.

From the resulting corner, Giulio Migliaccio’s glancing header cannoned off the inside of the far post and into Buffon’s arms, but the goalkeeper’s reaction left little doubt that the ball had already crossed the line.

Juve fought back immediately, Carlos Tevez laying the ball for Roberto Pereyra only for him to attempt a delicate finish, finding Marco Sportiello’s foot from point-blank range.

Sportiello produced another fine one-handed save on Martin Caceres after an inspired Paul Pogba pass but, from the ensuing corner, Juve equalised.

Leonardo Bonucci’s header was parried by Sportiello and, amid the ensuing melee, Fernando Llorente scrambled the ball over the line.

Just when it looked as though the first half would end 1-1, Pirlo produced a moment of magic.

From 25 metres out, he unleashed a screamer off the outside of his right boot that swerved past Sportiello into the near top corner to put Juventus ahead.

The visitors up the pressure in the closing stages and Migliaccio sent another header just off target but Juve held on to open up a 10-point lead over Roma who are away at Verona tomorrow.

Fixtures

Serie A

Juventus 2
Llorente 39, Pirlo 45;
Atalanta 1
Migliaccio 25;

HT: 2-1. Att: 38,000.

Playing today – 20.45
Sampdoria vs Genoa

Tomorrow – 15.00
Milan vs Cesena
Empoli vs Chievo
Verona vs Roma
Lazio vs Palermo
Parma vs Udinese - postponed
Fiorentina vs Torino - 20.45

Monday
Napoli vs Sassuolo - 19.00
Cagliari vs Inter - 21.00

Serie B

Playing today – 15.00
Brescia vs Perugia
Carpi vs Entella
Cittadella vs Bologna
Frosinone vs Pro Vercelli
Spezia vs Modena
Ternana vs Latina
Trapani vs Varese
Vicenza vs Crotone
Bari vs Lanciano - 18.00

Tomorrow
Livorno vs Avellino - 12.30
Pescara vs Catania - 15.00

Leading standings: Carpi 51; Bologna 44; Livorno 43; Avellino 42; Vicenza 40; Frosinone 38; Lanciano 37; Spezia 36; Ternana 35.