Serie A must wait to see best of Cristiano Ronaldo and other Juventus talking points

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  • Cristiano Ronaldo’s Serie A debut for Juventus ended in a thrilling 3-2 victory at Chievo, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from substitute Federico Bernardeschi.

    Sami Khedira put the visitors in front after just three minutes, before Mariusz Stepinski equalised with a towering header.

    Chievo went 2-1 ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half through ex-Juve winger Emanuele Giaccherini’s penalty, before an own goal from defender Mattia Bani levelled things up again.

    Mario Mandzukic’s header was ruled out after extensive video review, after which Juve showed the spirit of champions to score a legitimate winner deep into five minutes of stoppage time when Bernardeschi turned in a low cross from Alex Sandro.

    RONALDO’S WAITING GAME

    The logic was clear when Juve broke with all accepted norms to snare Ronaldo for €100 million (Dh420.5m) from Real Madrid.

    This was the superstar addition to extrapolate the seven-times-successive champions’ domestic hegemony to the continental stage.

    Tactically, this would not come at great cost. The Portugal icon was simply a premium version of Gonzalo Higuain.

    Of Ronaldo’s leading eight attempts, he only seriously threatened in the second half with a curled effort and free-kick. His 57 touches was the third-lowest of any outfield Juve starter.

    Ronaldo’s flash of stepovers and ‘spaghetti’ hair caught the attention for Manchester United on his Premier League debut 15 years ago. The first of 311 La Liga goals came from the penalty spot in his bow for Madrid.

    This time, he played no part in Juve’s three allowed goals. Calcio fans, unsurprisingly, await to see his best.

    OLD LADY’S NEW GROOVE

    Genuine excitement greeted the Juve XI.

    It wasn’t just the Ronaldo effect, or the beginning of another title defence.

    Head coach Massimiliano Allegri showed real attacking endeavour with his selection. From full-backs Sandro and Joao Cancelo tasked with providing ceaseless width, to Argentina forward Paulo Dybala pulling the strings behind a front three of Brazil winger Douglas Costa, centre forward Ronaldo and Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado.

    A trio of goals came on the opening weekend from 26 attempts. Much, much more should follow.

    FBL-ITA-SERIEA-CHIEVO-JUVENTUS

    BONUCCI’S EVENTFUL RETURN

    A familiar face took its place at the heart of Juve’s backline.

    After an uncertain season exiled at AC Milan, Leonardo Bonucci was back for the Old Lady.

    Sheen to this storyline at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi was provided when his presence forced Bani’s misdeed to equalise at 2-2.

    But Allegri – the cause of his 2017 exit – will concentrate on the alarming gap Stepinski stepped into between the returning star and Giorgio Chiellini to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

    Defending as a pair, seemingly, isn’t like riding a bike.

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