Unlucky Ronaldo, As Juve Come From Behind To Win Opener

It looked like Cristiano Ronaldo's debut with Juventus might be ruined by a determined and clinical display from the home side, Hellas Chievo, but goals from Leonardo Bonucci and Federico Bernardeschi saved Massimiliano Allegri's blushes with the world tuning in.

Juventus were far superior in every department to start the game and it looked like it might be a matter of how many they could notch up on a defensive Chievo side. Sami Khedira scored first after three minutes when he slotted home from a free-kick that was headed into his path by giorgio Chiellini.

Douglas Costa, Paulo Dybala and Ronaldo all had chances after that but they failed to capitalise as Chievo slowly chipped away at Juventus' dominance. They had an equaliser on 38 minutes when the previously invisible Mariusz Stepinski headed home a lovely Emanuele Giaccherini cross.

The creator turned scorer after the break when Giaccherini was hauled down by Joao Cancelo, another Portuguese making his debut in Serie A. The former Sunderland and Juventus man dusted himself off to slot home the penalty, sending Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way.

Mattia Bani headed into his own net from a cross as Leonardo Bonucci put him under pressure to draw the sides level. And that's when the drama really started.

Mario Mandzukic headed Juventus in front but there was uncertainty after the refere didn't give the goal initially. It was decided by goalline technology that it did go over the line but Stefano Sorrentino, who was spectacular throughout in goals for the home side, lay motionless on the ground.

The referee went to VAR and decided the goal would not stand after the collision with Ronaldo. As it turned out, however, it wasn't the collision that Ronaldo was whistled for but handling the ball as it was whipped in. It was all square again deep into extra-time.

After all the commotion and with Chievo thinking they had dodged a bullet, Juventus reloaded and Federico Bernardeschi poked home in the third minute of added time to give Juve a late lead.

He didn't score but if the rest of Ronaldo's game are even half as exciting as his debut then Serie A and Juventus fans will be the better for it. They might not want them to leave it as late next time though.