Football: Juventus beat Parma 2-0

ROME: Juventus overcame a sluggish first-half display to kick off the defence of their Serie A crown with a 2-0 victory at home to Parma. A pair of quick-fire goals shortly before the hour from Stephan Lichtsteiner and Andrea Pirlo proved the difference between the sides, after Arturo Vidal had seen a first-half penalty saved. Juve have not lost in the league since May 15 last year and their unbeaten run now stands at 24 victories and 16 draws, which is a record in the Italian top flight. In the first match of the season, Fiorentina came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 thanks to a brace from Montengrin attacker Stevan Jovetic, who claimed his decisive second goal in injury time.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2012.