Ex- Juve defender Marco Motta saw red, while Andrea Pirlo delivered the performance of the season as Juventus fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 against Catania.

Despite remaining unbeaten, Juventus were hoping to end a disappointing run that saw them draw for two consecutive weeks against Siena and Parma.  Arturo Vidal was suspended following his booking in the midweek clash against Parma while Marco Borriello and Simone Paodin started their first games for the club. Following a disappointing showing against Parma, Antonio Conte elected to drop Matri and Vucinic, opting for Quagliarella and Borriello up front while Paolo De Ceglie made a rare start at LWB.

Catania were fresh from a 4-0 demolition of Genoa in week 23 and had ex Juve men Marco Motta, Nicola Legrottaglie and Sergio Almiron amongst their ranks. Andrea Campagnolo, David Suazo, Alessandro Potenza and Ciro Capuano were all out through injury.

Marco Borriello went close not long after the restart when his overhead kick was deflected out and from the resulting corner, his headed effort was fired into Kosicky’s chest. The Juve pressure paid off when Andrea Pirlo netted his first goal in Juventus colours. The midfielder curled a trademark free kick from just outside the box around the defensive wall and into the bottom corner leaving Koskicky rooted to the spot. Juve stepped up the pressure and Quagliarella unleashed a screamer that beat the keeper but smacked the crossbar. It was Catania’s turn to rattle the woodwork moments later as Gonzalo Bergessio went past Leo Bonucci but his shot hit the underside of the bar.

Pirlo was imperious form and his long range effort clipped the top of crossbar while Quagliarella and Borriello saw their efforts charged by the Catania defence.

Catania went down to 10 men when Motta was sent off for a nasty tackle on Paolo De Ceglie earning himself a second yellow card.
Juventus piled on the pressure and took the lead when Pirlo’s free kick was missed by the flapping Kosicky and headed home by the diving Giorgio Chiellini. The Bianconeri were desperate to put the game beyond a doubt and it was another mistake by Kosicky that saw Juve net a third. His poor clearance was played through to Quagliarella by Pirlo leaving the striker to blast his effort off the keeper and into the net.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Giaccherini, Marchisio, Pirlo, Padoin (Pepe 60), De Ceglie (Vucinic 68); Borriello (Lichtsteiner 76), Quagliarella

Catania: Kosicky; Motta, Bellusci, Legrottaglie, Marchese; Izco, Lodi (Spolli 60), Almiron; Gomez (Seymour 70), Bergessio, Barrientos (Biagianti 50)

Ref: Brighi

Sent off: Motta 65 (C)