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Torino wasted a hatful of chances to cause a real upset, as Roma were fortunate to escape with a point.
The form of both sides was stuttering of late, although the Giallorossi's confidence was boosted by a 1-1 draw with Manchester United midweek. Francesco Totti was again out injured with that recurring right ankle problem and Rodrigo Taddei suspended, but Simone Perrotta and Marco Cassetti returned. Toro hoped to wipe away the memory of last week's 4-0 hammering at Inter and welcomed back Eugenio Corini.
It was a special game for David Di Michele, a lifelong Roma supporter, and former Lazio goalkeeper Matteo Sereni. Toro last defeated the capital club here in 1990.
Di Michele's deflected effort flashed across the face of goal as Toro got off to a very aggressive start, while Paolo Hernan Dellafiore earned a booking for cutting short Mirko Vucinic's fine run.
Simone Barone combined with Di Michele to shake the side-netting, but later on the midfielder apologised to the referee for diving in a bid to earn a penalty.
Toro had their best chance yet on 28 minutes, as Salvatore Lanna ran on to Di Michele's backheel and cut in for Barone, whose shot took a coat of paint off the upright.
Juan's header from a corner kick was off target and Ludovic Giuly fired wide rather than set up Vucinic, but Torino's selfishness cost them a certain goal on 39 minutes. Di Michele and Rosina got in each others' way and the ball ended up on the post of an open goal from six yards.
Philippe Mexes shrugged off penalty appeals as he dispossessed Di Michele and straight after the restart Torino had a goal disallowed for Di Michele's offside position as he turned in a corner.
Moments later Di Michele's scuffed angled drive was incredibly ballooned over by Bjelanovic from five yards. Toro couldn't seem to scramble the ball over the line and on the hour mark Bjelanovic's header thumped the crossbar.
A diving Paolo Zanetti header was smothered by Alexander Doni from Gianluca Comotto's cross.
Lifelong Roma fan Di Michele went on a splendid solo run only to fire at Doni's chest from point-blank range, then Juan's sliding tackle cut another progress short. Roma also threatened, Sereni's reaction save on a Mexes header set up by Max Tonetto. From the resulting corner Perrotta incredibly flashed his shot wide of the near post.
Toro boss Walter Novellino was sent off for dissent, but Roma were furious in the final minutes as Vucinic shrugged off two challenges at the byeline and was not awarded a penalty as Dellafiore got the ball.
Moments later Comotto was shown a straight red card for stopping a clear scoring opportunity as he clattered into Amantino Mancini.
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