Serie A Week 1 Review: Ronaldo debut and Inter embarrassment

After months of anticipation, Matchday 1 of the new Serie A season first kicked off with Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut in Verona. It was a week that featured plenty of drama and thrilling comebacks. However, due to the Genova bridge tragedy, both the Genoa and Sampdoria fixtures were postponed.

Ronaldo’s first win in Bianconeri colours

Juventus managed to clinch a 3-2 victory against a stubborn Cheivo Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi on Saturday. Despite scoring first, it was Juventus who was trailing early in the second half.

However, some solid teamwork and ‘Fino Alla Fine’ spirit from the Italian champions ensured they would somehow find a comeback. An own goal from Chievo’s Mattia Bani and a stoppage-time winner from Federico Bernardeschi saw the Old Lady claim three vital points to take back to Turin.

While Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score on his Juve debut, the Portuguese international produced a couple of goal scoring opportunities once Massimiliano Allegri placed him on the left flank. But it was Stefano Sorrentino who denied the five-time Balon d’Or winner a debut goal - showing that Serie A is no walkover.

Ancelotti delights Neapolitans on debut

Napoli got off to the best possible start under the Carlo Ancelotti era after coming from behind and defeating Lazio 2-1. Despite all the negative talk in the offseason about the Partenopei’s quite transfer activity, the Neapolitans silenced the critics, demonstrating they can still play effective and attacking football under Ancelotti.

After netting 40 goals in all competitions last season, it didn’t take long for Ciro Immobile to open his goal account for the new campaign. The Lazio forward scored a stunning opener - beating three Napoli defenders in the process.

Arkadiusz Milik’s tap-in goal on the brink of halftime finally gave the Ciucciarelli the equaliser they had desperately been searching for. Approaching the one-hour mark, a moment of individual brilliance from Lorenzo Insigne saw the Neapolitan curl the ball into the top corner - giving the visitors the vital lead.

While there is no longer 'Sarri-ball' in practice, Napoli still looks menacing in front of goal with the Insigne and Milik partnership.

Sassuolo embarrass Inter once again

Sassuolo have now won 7 out of 11 games against Inter - a remarkable feat that has made them the Nerazzurri's bogey side.

A penalty - converted calmly by Domenico Berardi - was enough for the Neroverdi to clinch a 1-0 victory over this season’s Scudetto challengers. Despite Inter controlling most of the game and producing most shots on goal, there was a lack of inspiration in the final third. Both Mauro Icardi and newcomer Lautaro Martinez were not clinical enough in front of goal - a worrying sign for the Argentinian duo.

The loss for the Nerazzurri is now mounting all the pressure on manager Luciano Spalletti and his side to bounce back in next week's fixture with Torino.

Dzeko show

Back in Turin, a late goal from Edin Dzeko was enough to gift AS Roma a 1-0 win over a disciplined Torino side. The Bosnian’s exceptional goal - volleyed off his left foot - came from a precise cross off debutant Justin Kluivert.

With VAR (Video Assistant Referee) disallowing a Torino goal, the Granata kept on pushing the Giallorossi right until the final whistle.

Parma return ends in four-goal thriller

After becoming the first Italian side to earn three successive promotions, Parma secured a single point from their 2-2 draw with Udinese.

The Gialloblu found themselves leading 2-0 early in the second half after both Antonino Barilla and debutant Roberto Inglese struck the net. But when the Crociati thought they had sealed all three points, a lapse of concentration in defence gave Udinese some belief going forward.

A penalty converted by Rodrigo De Paul and a neat finish from Seko Fofana completed the comeback for the Zebrette in the space of four minutes. While Parma blew a two-goal advantage, the newly-promoted side showed they will be up for the fight to remain in Italy’s top-flight this season.

Papu Gomez dismantles Frosinone

Two goals and two assists from Atalanta’s star Alejandro Gomez saw La Dea cruise to a 4-0 victory over newly-promoted Frosinone. Every time the Argentine surged forward and got into space, the Bergamo side looked certain of scoring.

Papu Gomez’s stellar performance indicated how instrumental the 30-year-old will be for Atalanta going forward this season.

Empoli no walkovers

Predicted by many Serie A fans to be relegated this season, Empoli’s 2-0 victory over Cagliari justified why they were Serie B champions last term. While Cagliari enjoyed the bulk of the possession and shots on goal, their Tuscan opponents had more of a clinical edge in the final third.

SPAL edge past Bologna

A wonder goal struck by Jasmin Kurtic from 30 yards out gifted SPAL a 1-0 victory over a 10-man Bologna. The Spallini’s victory spoiled Pippo Inzaghi’s Bologna debut.