Juventus 2 Fiorentina 1: New boy Gonzalo Higuain climbs off bench to fire champions to winning start in Serie A
£75million striker gets the Old Lady off to a winning start in Serie A as they aim for sixth successive title triumph
GONZALO HIGUAIN came off the bench to score the winner as Juventus got their season started with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Fiorentina.
The £75million summer signing from Real Madrid notched with only his third touch to seal the points as Juve aim for a sixth successive Serie A triumph.
One of the biggest fixtures in Italy saw Fiorentina boss Paulo Sousa hand 18-year-old Federico Chiesa, the 18-year-old son of the legendary striker Enrico, a debut against their bitter rivals. Meanwhile, Dani Alves made his bow for Juve.
And the reigning champions got their season was up and running when Sami Khedira broke the deadlock with a header from Giorgio Chiellini’s cross on 37 minutes.
The hosts were on top early doors and they thought they should have had a penalty when Davide Astori appeared to handle inside his own area – but the referee ruled it accidental after the ball bounced up to his hand from his leg.
Kwadwo Asamoah fired over and Paulo Dybala was inches wide with a curling strike as Juve pressed for the opener before Khedira stepped up to give them the lead at the break.