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A lone strike from former Roma and Lazio striker Roberto Muzzi proved enough to snatch a shock away victory.
The Giallorossi rested several stars after their 6-2 demolition of Inter and looking ahead to the second leg of that Coppa Italia Final next Thursday. Francesco Totti started upfront despite a sleepless night as he welcomed his second child, a daughter named Chanel, into the world at 4.20am. The captain needed at least four goals to win the Golden Shoe for top scorer in the European Leagues this term.
There was a lot more at stake for Torino, who were one of eight teams within a three-point radius of the relegation zone. They had lost their last six meetings with Roma and Gianni De Biasi had beaten Luciano Spalletti just once in 11 attempts. Toro's last win at the Olimpico was a spectacular 5-4 result on May 9, 1993. With Elvis Abbruscato injured and Roberto Stellone not 100 per cent fit, Roberto Muzzi led the line.
Christian Abbiati needed his first save from Rodrigo Taddei after 12 seconds and in the opening two minutes he parried a Totti snapshot.
It was Torino who took the lead with ex-Roma and Lazio striker Muzzi. Cristian Chivu was at fault, as he stumbled on a Matteo Ferrari pass, allowing the Granata veteran to go one-on-one with Gianluca Curci.
Totti and Simone Perrotta had shots charged down by the Toro bunker, then Mirko Vucinic felt he deserved a penalty for a Franceschini challenge.
Taddei was very unlucky when he got in front of the defence for a glancing header that smashed against the crossbar from Max Tonetto's assist.
Totti skipped past three defenders before he was stopped in the box and, despite dominating possession, Roma failed to really trouble Abbiati.
Taddei was unlucky to hit the woodwork for the second time in the game, as his drive rose to clip the crossbar from a tight angle.
Marco Cassetti's season could be over, as he clattered knee against knee with Di Loreto and the Roma man got the worst of it, stretchered off. As all the substitutions had been completed, the Giallorossi had to play the final eight minutes with 10 men.
Yet Aleandro Rosi drilled just wide of the far top corner from the edge of the box and in stoppages Mirko Vucinic thumped the upright, but it was not enough to turn the situation around.
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