It took Juventus all of three minutes to open the scoring in their opening match of the Serie A season but despite controlling possession and the game, Cristiano Ronaldo & co. struggled, only managing to beat Chievo in injury time.
Welcome to Italy, Cristiano. Serie A may not always excite you but it knows how to throw a curveball or two. Chievo were 2-1 up following Emanuele Giaccherini's penalty and it appeared Ronaldo's bow was set for a disappointing conclusion.
But Juve never give up and an own goal and Federico Bernardeschi's winner ensured all three points for the champions, grateful they avoided embarrassment in the opening game of the season.
Positives
Despite making it tough for themselves, Juventus came through and won to register their first three points of the season. Their never-say-die attitude usually saves them in the end.
Negatives
According to Opta, the last time Juve conceded more than one goal in their Serie A opener was back in 1998 and this beautifully constructed team should not have suffered in the manner they did. They controlled possession but were clumsy when it came to defending as a unit.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- While Massimiliano Allegri was right to want to play an attacking brand of football, it was perhaps unwise to settle on only two midfielders. Chievo aren't the best of teams but they are physical and happy to fight, so another midfielder would have added more balance.
More importantly, the coach needs to work on creating a defensive unit that works together.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Wojciech Szczesny, 6 -- Not at fault for the two goals conceded.
DF Joao Cancelo, 5 -- Exciting when going forward but it's mistake after mistake when defending. Gave away the penalty to allow Chievo to make it 2-1. Needs a lesson in discipline and how to prioritise efficient and clean defending over forays going forward in search of a goal.
DF Leonardo Bonucci, 6 -- Must accept responsibility for the errors made for Mariusz Stepinski's equaliser but he also produced some decisive interventions. Most importantly, he forced Mattia Bani into an own goal.
DF Giorgio Chiellini, 6 -- Should have done better to stop the equaliser but he did produce the assist for Sami Khedira's goal.
DF Alex Sandro 6 -- Worked incredibly hard, especially in the first half, to reclaim possession. The best in the backline.
MF Sami Khedira, 6 -- Scored the opening goal and demonstrated exactly how well he reads the games.
MF Miralem Pjanic, 5 -- Same old same old against physical and defensive opponents, he struggled to impose his superiority. Several mistakes but credit for mopping up at times.
FW Juan Cuadrado, 5 -- He struggled with Cancelo and tried to ensure he provided cover when his defensive teammate acted like a forward. Produced excitement but rarely made the right decisions.
FW Paulo Dybala, 5 -- In a season where he must step up and produce, he disappointed in the first game. While he knows how to dribble his way past players, he conceded possession far too often. He must judge situations better.
FW Douglas Costa, 6 -- One thing the Brazilian knows how to do so well is dribble into space and move his way up the field by avoiding danger. Not always the most accurate but always worked hard to find solutions in the final third. Tired in the second half.
FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 6 -- Chievo are a frustrating team to play against and Ronaldo found that out here. As always, his manipulation of the ball was a sight to behold and he came close to scoring several times but couldn't produce the accuracy required of him. More to come.
Substitutes:
MF Federico Bernardeschi , 8 -- Came on in the second half and changed the game. He should have started. Ambitious and playing with intensity, he was rewarded with the winner.
FW Mario Mandzukic, 6 -- Thought he scored but VAR ruled it offside. As ever, one of the first to track back and offer the defence a hand when possession was lost.
MF Emre Can, N/A -- Barely on long enough to merit judgement.