12 June 2015
After coming through pre-season with flying colours, the penultimate day of August saw Juventus embark on their first match of the 2014/15 campaign, kicking things off with a tricky away trip to Chievo at the Bentegodi.
And Massimiliano Allegri’s maiden Serie A encounter in charge of the Bianconeri began in the best possible way, Martin Caceres’ header deflecting off Cristiano Biraghi before nestling in the back of the net on just seven minutes.
Despite the scoring finishing there, a dominant performance coupled with Kingsley Coman’s cracking debut display ensured the Old Lady’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive Scudetto got off to a winning introduction.
Udinese were next to lock horns with the reigning champions following the international break, providing Allegri’s first-ever opposition in the Juventus Stadium dugout.
And the Tuscan tactician marked his home bow by overseeing a consummate 2-0 success against Andrea Stramaccioni’s Zebrette, Carlos Tevez and Claudio Marchisio bagging a goal in each other half. Patrice Evra and Robero Pereyra made their first starts for the club, while Alvaro Morata impressed in a brief cameo from the bench towards the end.
Attentions then soon turned to the Champions League, with the Bianconeri having been drawn in Group A alongside last year’s runners-up Atletico Madrid, Super League Greece holders Olympiacos and Swedish outfit Malmo.
The latter it was who visited Turin midway through September, and, despite defending admirably up against the Bianconeri during the first 45 minutes, they were undone by two moments of second-half brilliance.
First a sparkling move ended with Kwadwo Asamoah backheeling into the path of Tevez who sidefooted home, before L’Apache completed his brace by curling in a splendid free-kick for all three points late on.
Next up was a league trip to Allegri’s former side Milan at the San Siro, where ex-Juventus forward Pippo Inzaghi was enjoying a positive start to his managerial career at the helm.
The Rossoneri, however, couldn’t keep up their good form against the Old Lady, Tevez once again getting his name on the scoresheet midway through the second period to earn a deserved triumph for the visitors.
Three consecutive domestic victories soon became four when Cesena came to town for the final midweek game of September. Arturo Vidal, who had endured a summer on the sidelines, got himself back amongst the goals courtesy of a brace –the first a spot-kick – before Stephan Lichtsteiner made it 3-0 with a deft finish.
The same scoreline was replicated in Bergamo just a few days later, when Juventus travelled to face Atalanta, who were looking to become the first team to find a way through the Bianconeri’s imperious backline this season.
And despite going behind to Tevez’s opener, the Nerazzurri were presented with a golden opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot following a mistimed Giorgio Chiellini challenge in the area.
Skipper German Denis stepped up to convert, but saw his effort parried away by Gianluigi Buffon which in turn manifested into a counter attack that ultimately led to Juventus’ second just 60 seconds later.
Again it was Tevez to fire low past Marco Sportiello, with Morata then bringing the month to a close on a fine note when he headed in his maiden goal in the famous black and white stripes late on.
