ROME — Juventus saw off Parma 2-0 to make it back-to-back wins at the start of the Serie A season, while Fiorentina’s celebrations of the club’s 100th anniversary were spoilt by a 3-0 home defeat by promoted Frosinone.
Luciano Spalletti’s men had to work hard for their three points, needing second-half goals from substitutes Nicolas Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners to secure the victory.
Juve is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing season last term when they finished sixth and missed out on the Champions League.
It was also a second straight clean sheet for the Turin giants, and for new goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after his loan signing from Tottenham.
“I felt a lot of emotion, because this is a dream come true for me,” Vicario told DAZN Italia of his home debut.
“It is a great night for us, for the result that we achieved, because winning is never to be taken for granted, especially against a tough opponent,” Vicario added according to AFP.
Close-season signings Randal Kolo Muani and Jhon Lucumi both started, while 18-year-old Bosnian Kerim Alajbegovic had an impact after coming off the bench to make his debut.
The Old Lady have not won a Scudetto since winning their ninth consecutive title in 2020, but will be delighted with their start to this campaign after kicking it off with a 1-0 win at Frosinone.
“I am happy for the team, that worked so hard during the week. We prepared well, I’m pleased for everyone,” Gonzalez, back at Juve after impressing last season on loan at Atletico Madrid, told DAZN Italia.
“I missed this jersey, so I am happy because to score and get a victory, it makes me go home content.”
Fiorentina club legends, including Gabriel Batistuta and Claudio Ranieri were in attendance, only to see Fiorentina fail to bounce back from their 4-0 thrashing at Roma last weekend in their opener.
Antonio Raimondo netted twice for the visitors, with Gabriele Bracaglia also on the scoresheet.
Fiorentina flirted with relegation last season before finishing 15th.
Italian World Cup winner Fabio Grosso took over from Paolo Vanoli as coach in June, and the club has brought in a host of signings including Christ Inao Oulai, Arthur Atta and Mateo Pellegrino.
The changes have not had the desired impact, with the two-time Serie A champions already rooted to the foot of the early table.
Milan, also active in the transfer market, beat Venezia 2-0 on Friday.
