Juventus drubs Parma in opener
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Shanghai Daily, September 13, 2011
Juventus opened the Italian Serie A with a sparkling 4-1 win over Parma yesterday in the first official match in its new stadium.
Newly signed midfielder Andrea Pirlo set up a goal for Stephan Lichtsteiner in the 16th minute and Simone Pepe doubled the lead in the 58th, converting a pass from captain Alessandro Del Piero.
Another new signing, Chile international Arturo Vidal, scored with a long shot in the 73rd and Claudio Marchisio made it 4-0 in the 83rd after another setup from Pirlo.
Parma pulled one back with a penalty from Sebastian Giovinco in added time after Juventus defender Paolo De Ceglie was shown a red card.
Elsewhere, it was: Catania 0, Siena 0; Chievo Verona 2, Novara 2; Fiorentina 2, Bologna 0; Genoa 2, Atalanta 2; Lecce 0, Udinese 2; and AS Roma 1, Cagliari 2.
Defending champion AC Milan drew 2-2 with Lazio on Friday and Napoli beat 10-man Cesena 3-1 on Saturday, while Gian Piero Gasperini was making his league debut as Inter Milan's new manager later at Palermo.
Juventus played a friendly with Notts County for the ceremonial opening of the new 40,000-seat stadium on Thursday but the Parma game was its first official match.
The Turin squad impressed in former Juventus player Antonio Conte's debut as manager.
Having missed out on Europe with a seventh place finish last season, Juventus is desperate to make the top three this campaign and qualify for the Champions League.
In Spain, Ruben Castro's late goal gave Real Betis a 1-0 win over Mallorca in Seville yesterday.
The Spanish striker was well-placed at the far post for his volley after a corner kick was unintentionally flicked on by a Mallorca defender in the 86th minute.
It was Castro's second late winner in as many weeks as Betis maintained its perfect start to the season, lifting the promoted club to the top of the league standings along with Real Madrid and Valencia. Defending champion Barcelona is two points behind.
On Saturday, Karim Benzema scored a double as Real beat Getafe 4-2, while Barcelona squandered an early lead with a pair of defensive lapses that let Real Sociedad rally to a 2-2 draw. Also, Roberto Soldado gave Valencia a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid, and 10-man Villarreal salvaged a 2-2 draw with Sevilla.
