Serie A
Super Mario Helps Juventus Defeat Parma
Juventus maintained their perfect start to the new Serie A season with a hard fought victory against Parma at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.
Mario Mandzukic gave Juventus the perfect start after just two minutes poking the ball home from close range.
Parma responded well and were the better side in the first half. They deservedly levelled through Gervinho who marked his return to the Serie A with a debut goal for his new side.
However, Juventus stepped up a gear in the second half. Blaise Matuidi scored on 58 minutes what proved to be the winner, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Juventus comfortably held on to make it three wins from three.
Gervinho Impressive On Serie A Return
Juventus couldn’t have asked for a better start taking the lead after just two minutes. A brilliant ball in by Cuadrado rebounded kindly for Mario Mandzukic who stabbed the ball into the net.
It looked like it was going to be a long night for Parma. But to their credit they responded magnificently.
Gervinho was making his Serie A return having been signed from China and was particularly impressive in the first half.
Time and time again his direct runs were causing Juventus’ defence all sorts of problems.
He brilliantly skipped past three Juventus defenders and set up striker Antonio Di Gaudio. But his shot was brilliantly blocked by Giorgio Chiellini and diverted away for a corner.
Parma continued to threaten and were inches away from making it one all on 14 minutes. A great dipping free kick from midfielder Leo Stulac clipped the crossbar from 25 yards out.
They got their deserved equaliser just past the half hour mark. A whipped cross by Massimo Gobbi on the left hand side was flicked on by Roberto Inglese. The ball fell to Gervinho who bundled the ball into the net.
Just before half time Parma should have been in front. Again a brilliant run by Gervinho saw him tee up Rigoni inside the penalty area.
But the midfielder’s shot was tame and straight at Szczesny in the Juventus goal.
Juventus Better Second Half
Juventus upped their game in the second half and were bar far the more threatening of the two sides.
They could have taken the lead five minutes into the second half. A great cross from Alex Sandro found its way to Sami Khedira inside the penalty area.
But the German international couldn’t keep his shot down.
On 58 minutes Juventus regained the lead. Alex Sandro passed the ball to Mario Mandzukic who brilliantly flicked the ball into the path of Blaise Matuidi.
The French midfielder then smashed the ball into the roof the net from 10 yards out.
The Bianconeri were more threatening going forward, in particular down the left hand side with Alex Sandro causing the Parma defence all sorts of problems.
Substitute Douglas Costa was close to making it three with just 18 minutes to go. He picked the ball up 25 yards out and curled a shot which clipped the outside of the post.
Juventus held on without too much fuss to maintain their 100 per cent record.
Ronaldo Frustrated Again
Cristiano Ronaldo is still searching for his first Juventus goal and endured another frustrating game.
He had some half chances to open his account including a trademark header which went just wide of the post.
His best chance came in the second half. Alex Sandro crossed the ball from the left hand side which found Ronaldo in the penalty area.
But the Portuguese international scuffed his shot well wide.
Juventus have deployed Ronaldo on the left wing so far instead of a central forward position he was used to at Real Madrid.
It’s fair to say that the Serie A champions are still trying to work out a system that can get the best out Ronaldo.
While it appears that Ronaldo may be trying too hard. He will look to score his first goal for Juventus at home against Sassuolo after the international break.
Meanwhile Parma will look for their first win back in Serie A against Inter at the San Siro.
