During the days leading up to the derby on 5 December 2009 in Turin, there were fears about the Juventus ultras abusing Inter's Italian striker Mario Balotelli (who is of Ghanaian descent) due to a history of racial abuse from fans. Juventus chairman Jean-Claude Blanc and Mirella Scirea, widow of Juventus legend Gaetano Scirea, wrote to the ultra groups and publicly urged fans to refrain from using racist chants. When Inter's players arrived in Turin, the team bus was pelted with eggs by some Juventus fans. The match itself was marred by seven bookings, a red card and a number of heated on-pitch altercations, in particular between Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Inter midfielder Thiago Motta. Inter manager José Mourinho was dismissed in the first half for arguing with the referee. A second-half winner from Claudio Marchisio re-opened the "Scudetto" race as Inter's lead was cut to five points.