Juve open Italian season with a win
Juventus outclassed Parma 4-1 in the first Serie A match in their new stadium.
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| Juve’s Paolo De Ceglie sees red at the new Juventus Stadium [GALLO/GETTY] |
Juventus opened Serie A with a sparkling 4-1 win over Parma on Sunday in the first official match in their new stadium.
Newly signed midfielder Andrea Pirlo set up a goal for Stephan Lichtsteiner in the 16th minute and Simone Pepe doubled the lead in the 58th, converting a pass from captain Alessandro Del Piero.
Another new signing, Chile international Arturo Vidal, scored with a long shot in the 73rd and Claudio Marchisio made it 4-0 in the 83rd after another setup from Pirlo.
Parma pulled one back with a penalty kick from Sebastian Giovinco in added time after Juventus defender Paolo De Ceglie was shown a red card.
Elsewhere, it was: Catania 0, Siena 0; Chievo Verona 2, Novara 2; Fiorentina 2, Bologna 0; Genoa 2, Atalanta 2; Lecce 0, Udinese 2; and Roma 1, Cagliari 2.
Defending champion AC Milan drew 2-2 with Lazio on Friday and Napoli beat 10-man Cesena 3-1 Saturday.
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Sunday September 11
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Juventus 4-1 ParmaJuventus played a friendly with Notts County for the ceremonial opening of the new 40,000-seat stadium on Thursday but the Parma game was their first official match. The club has not named the stadium yet.
Juventus forward Alessandro Matri had a goal disallowed for a questionable offside call in the 39th, then hit the post in the 55th as the Turin squad impressed in former Juventus player Antonio Conte’s debut as manager.
Having missed out on Europe with a seventh place finish last season, Juventus are desperate to make the top three this campaign and qualify for the Champions League.
“It was a good debut,” Conte said.
“I’m happy with the players and I want to thank the fans, they were like a 12th man. That said, I don’t want to disillusion anyone – we weren’t perfect and there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Palermo stunned Inter Milan 4-3 in the late game.