New coach Thiago Motta led Juventus to a commanding 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Como in their Serie A opener at a packed Allianz Stadium on Monday, igniting hopes of a resurgence at the Turin-based club.
Forward Samuel Mbangula and winger Timothy Weah both found the net in the first half, each scoring their maiden goals for Juventus in Serie A. Andrea Cambiaso sealed the win with a spectacular long-range effort in stoppage time.
Juventus, rejuvenated under Motta’s leadership, began a new era with confidence. Motta, who guided Bologna to the Champions League last season, aims to bring the Serie A title back to Turin for the first time in four years.
Despite their best efforts, Como struggled to make an impact on their return to Italy’s top flight after a 21-year absence. Under the guidance of former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Como showed determination but lacked the finishing touch.
Como earned promotion to Serie A after finishing second in Italy’s second tier last season, just three points behind Serie B champions Parma. Their ascent marks a significant milestone for the club and their passionate supporters.
Juventus asserted dominance early in the match. Dusan Vlahovic came close in the 20th minute with a header that narrowly missed. Mbangula broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute with a solo effort, striking low from the edge of the box into the bottom corner on his first-team debut after a season with Juve’s reserves.
At just 20 years old, Mbangula became the youngest Belgian goalscorer in Serie A history and the first Belgian player to score in the Italian top flight for Juventus.
Juventus extended their lead in first-half stoppage time when Weah fired home a cross from Kenan Yildiz, the ball ricocheting off the bar and into the net.
The hosts continued to press after the break. Vlahovic thought he had added a third just minutes into the second half, but his header was ruled offside. Cambiaso finally secured the third goal with a long-range strike in the dying minutes.
Earlier on Monday, Atalanta showcased their strength with a 4-0 win over Lecce, featuring braces from Marco Brescianini and Mateo Retegui.
Juventus’ emphatic opening victory sets an optimistic tone for the season ahead, as fans eagerly anticipate the potential return of the Serie A title to Turin under Motta’s guidance.
Reference(s):
Coach Motta steers Juventus to 3-0 win against Como on debut
cgtn.com
