Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo makes Juventus debut and more Serie A highlights

Sport360 staff 10:37 19/08/2018
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  • A new beginning: Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Juventus opened the defence of their serie a title with a thrilling 3-2 victory over at Chievo, where Cristiano Ronaldo made his competitive debut.

    Portugal forward Ronaldo took centre stage at the Bentegodi on his competitive debut following his summer transfer from Real Madrid.

    However, it needed a huge team effort from the defending champions to secure three points in Verona.

    Following a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of Tuesday’s bridge collapse in Genoa, Sami Khedira fired Juve into an early lead.

    Chievo, however, equalised through a header from Mariusz Stepinski and then took the lead at the start of the second half through a penalty from former Juve winger Emanuele Giaccherini.

    An own goal by defender Mattia Bani level things up again on 77 minutes before the most dramatic of finales.

    Substitute Mario Mandzukic thought he had won it with a late header, given by goalline technology.

    However, the effort was to be ruled out following a referral by the Video Assistant Referee after Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino had taken a heavy blow from Ronaldo in the build-up.

    Juve, aiming to deliver a record eighth successive serie a crown, did score a legitimate winner deep into five minutes of stoppage time when substitute Federico Bernardeschi turned in a low cross from Alex Sandro.

    In Saturday’s evening kick-off, Napoli came from behind to win 2-1 at Lazio.

    Last season’s runners-up, now with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, found themselves behind on 25 minutes following a fine individual goal from Ciro Immobile.

    The Italy forward collected a long pass from Francesco Acerbi, before turning clear and curling the ball into the top corner.

    After Napoli had a goal from Arkadiusz Milik ruled out by the VAR for a foul in the build-up, the Pole then did get on the scoresheet in added time at the end of the first half.

    Lorenzo Insigne’s ball to the back post was knocked down and Milik put it into the net.

    On the hour, Insigne scored what proved to be the winner with another fine curling effort.

    Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi then saw a late effort hit the post.

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