- Champions Juventus opened the new Serie A season with a trip to Parma
- Giorgio Chiellini got his side off to a flyer by poking in Alex Sandro’s initial shot
- Cristiano Ronaldo was then frustrated by VAR when his goal was ruled out
- Call was marginal but it didn’t matter in the end as Juventus held out for the win
Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini gave the titleholders a win at Parma in the opening Serie A match of the new season on Saturday although they were without new coach Maurizio Sarri who is recovering from pneumonia.
Chiellini flicked the ball home in the 21st minute after Parma failed to properly clear a corner to get the Turin side off to a winning start in their bid for a ninth successive title.
Cristiano Ronaldo also had the ball in the net before half-time but his effort was ruled out after VAR showed that his shoulder was offside by a matter of millimetres when he collected Douglas Costa’s pass.
Giorgio Chiellini wheels away in celebration after netting the only goal of the game for Juve
Juventus’ team, as well as substitutes and coaching staff, celebrate Chiellini’s winning goal
VAR overruled a Cristiano Ronaldo goal courtesy of a tight offside call with the score at 1-0
Ronaldo squandered other chances and saw two efforts saved by Parma goalkeeper Luigi Sepe on a frustrating afternoon for the five-time World Player of the Year.
Juventus assistant coach Giovanni Martusciello took charge of the team although Italian media said he was in constant contact with Sarri, who was diagnosed with pneumonia on Monday.
The titleholders featured none of their new signings although Gonzalo Higuain was given a surprise start after spending last season on loan at AC Milan and then Chelsea.
Ronaldo should have given Juventus a 12th-minute lead but sent his header over the bar after getting in front of his marker and thumped the ground in frustration.
Juve then had a let-off as goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a reflex save from Roberto Inglese’s snapshot.
Ronaldo congratulates Chiellini on his goal, with the main man not netting himself
Ronaldo has a shot on goal at the Tardini Stadium, but he did not need to net for Juve to win
Paulo Dybala (centre) was on the bench for Juve as transfer rumours continue to swirl
The visitors went ahead when Sepe punched clear a corner, Alex Sandro sent the ball straight back into the area and Chiellini turned it in with the goalkeeper out of his ground.
Juventus then began to produce some of the pinball passing which has become Sarri’s trademark and one incisive move ended with Ronaldo shooting wide.
The 34-year-old thought he had scored in the 36th minute but, after Juventus had completed their celebrations, the goal was chalked off for offside.
Sepe denied Ronaldo with a flying save in the second half while Parma went agonisingly close to a stoppage-time equaliser when Hernani’s free kick fizzed past Szczesny’s post.
The Parma fans gave their side an excellent reception for the first match of the Serie A season
Juve were led by assistant manager Giovanni Martusciello with Maurizio Sarri still ill
source:dailymail
