September 11, 2011 6:30 AM EDT
Juventus Stadium — Torino
Referee: D. Celi
Attendance: 41254
Juventus
Juventus
Parma
Parma
Juventus 4-1 Parma: Pirlo shines as Old Lady grace new stadium with impressive win
A late red card for Paolo De Ceglie couldn't detract from an impressive display by Juve as Pirlo made himself at home in his new surroundings
By Owen Neilson
Juventus christened its new stadium and made a firm statement of intent with a comprehensive 4-1 Serie A victory over Parma.
Andrea Pirlo produced a superb display in midfield for the Turin giants, and goals from Stephan Lichtsteiner, Simone Pepe, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio fired the hosts to a confident opening-day win.
It was Antonio Conte’s first competitive game in charge and his side started brightly pressing the space in midfield to limit Parma’s possession. Two debutants combined in the 18th minute for the first goal in the Juventus stadium.
Lichsteiner, who joined from Lazio in the summer, found Pirlo on the edge of the area and the former AC Milan stalwart made a smart turn, before picking out the Swiss international with a perfectly weighted ball, who rounded Antonio Mirante to coolly finish.
Later in the match Del Piero fed Pepe on the right of the box and the 28-year-old blasted in for a 2-0 lead. Juventus continued to dominate in the closing stages and Del Piero made way for Chilean midfielder Vidal, who made it three with a smart volley from the edge of the area.
Parma looked sluggish throughout and were caught flat-footed by another beautifully floated Pirlo ball in the 82nd minute that dropped perfectly on Marchisio's boot, with the midfielder volleying over the stranded Mirante.
It was almost the perfect start to the 2011-12 season for La Vecchia Signora until referee Domenico Celi red-carded Paolo De Ceglie for a last man tackle on Giovinco, and the striker tucked the spot-kick away to finish the game 4-1.
Juventus had issued a message to the rest of Serie A that it means business this season, and created a sense of optimism that a return to the successes of old could be a real possibility under Conte.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Edinson Cavani Striker Napoli |
29 | 7 |
|
|
Antonio Di Natale Striker Udinese |
23 | 4 |
|
|
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Striker Roma |
16 | 2 |
|
|
Stephan El Shaarawy Midfielder Milan |
16 | 0 |
|
|
Germán Denis Striker Atalanta |
15 | 5 |
