BY Jonathan Ledger
Defending Serie A champions, Juventus, armed with new signing Cristiano Ronaldo, began the seventh defence of their title with a 3-2 comeback victory over Chievo with the winning goal scored in added time.
The party started on three minutes through Sami Khedira, the German midfielder pouncing on captain Giorgio Chiellini’s knockdown to score through the keeper’s legs for 1-0.
A workaholic Ronaldo dazzled with flicks and trickery, and the crowd responded with cheers but he nearly got off the mark in the 18th minute but his one-time volley from Juan Caudrado’s pass missed the bottom corner by inches.
Juventus dominated but their hosts equalised against the run of play on 37 minutes through striker, Mariusz Stephinski, who was left unmarked to nod in Emanuele Giaccherrini’s cross with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny rooted to the spot.
Ronaldo had his first shot on target five minutes into the second half, a long range strike which Chievo keeper diverted away.
However, the game’s complexion changed five minutes later when Chievo won a penalty off Joao Cancelo’s late tackle, and Giaccherinni sent Szczęsny the wrong way for an unlikely 2-1 lead.
The Old Lady ramped up the pressure and went close twice through Ronaldo, but it was returning defender, Leonardo
Bonucci, who equalised with a header from a corner kick on 73 minutes.
Nigerian midfielder, Joel Obi, came on for the last quarter of the game to shut out Juventus and the Turin giants had a goal ruled out by VAR for a Ronaldo handball and infringement on the goalkeeper.
Juventus would not be denied in added time through attacker, Federico Bernadeschi, who slotted home Alex Sandro’s low cross to give Juventus the lead they deserved.
The game ended as a hard fought 3-2 victory for the champions to start the season with three vital points, giving Ronaldo a winning introduction to the Italian league.
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