Ronaldo, Ancelotti make winning start

Portugese star comes close to first goal at new club, but doesn’t contribute in 3-2 victory

VERONA:  

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score but helped get Juventus's title defence off the mark with a 3-2 win against Chievo as Carlo Ancelotti began life as Napoli coach also with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Lazio in the opening matches of the 2018-2019 league season on Saturday.

The 33-year-old Ronaldo, who joined the Turin giants from Real Madrid last month in a deal worth €100 million, clenched his fists with delight despite missing a series of chances after his team's hard fought first three points.

The champions were made to work after Germany international Sami Khedira opened the scoring after just three minutes at the Bentegodi Stadium for the seven-time defending champions.

Polish striker Mariusz Stepinski headed in a 37th-minute equaliser for Chievo with Emanuele Giaccherini slotting in a penalty after 56 minutes following a foul by new Juventus signing Joao Cancelo.



But Chievo's Mattia Bani turned into his own net after 75 minutes following pressure from returning Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci to pull the champions level.

"Cristiano held up well on his debut, it's a pity he didn't score but he worked well with the team after only seven days together," said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.

"I was struck by how at ease he was in the team, he was very happy with the win at the end, he had a good match. It's a victory that we needed, to get us into the championship."

Ronaldo came close to his first Serie A goal in the 18th minute from a Juan Cuadrado cross but drilled just wide, with Cuadrado firing over minutes later.

"We let our focus dip after the first goal, we thought we had the match in the bag, Ronaldo had several shots on target today, Sorrentino made several saves, there were also some good movements that were not rewarded by the midfielders,” said Allegri.

Ancelotti, meanwhile, has returned to his native Italy after a successful trophy-laden nine years at clubs including Chelsea and Real Madrid.