18 August 2018
Federico Bernardeschi struck a late winner at the Stadio Bentegodi as Juve eventually found a way to overcome a stubborn Chievo side on the opening day of the season. It may not have been the walk in the park many had expected, but there was no shortage of thrills and spills as the new campaign started with a bang.
In a game the Bianconeri dominated from start to finish, it was Sami Khedira who opened the scoring within the first three minutes as the German slammed home the loose ball following a Miralem Pjanic free kick.
The hosts found an unlikely equaliser shortly before the break when Mariusz Stepinski rose to head in from their first chance of the match.
Juve maintained the upper hand after the restart yet incredibly it was Chievo who took the lead after Cancelo was adjudged to have fouled Emanuele Giaccherini in the box, the former Juve man coolly stroking home from 12 yards.
Leo Bonucci restored parity with a header 15 minutes from time and Mario Mandzukic thought he had won it with three minutes left to play, but his effort was ruled out after the referee reviewed the action and spotted a foul by Cristiano Ronaldo in the build-up.
The Bianconeri continued to probe and as the game entered the third minute of stoppage time Bernardeschi was in the right place at the right time to turn in Alex Sandro's cross and seal the points after a dramatic finale.
CHIEVO 2-3 JUVENTUS
SCORERS: Khedira 3', Stepinski 38', Giaccherini (pen) 56', Bonucci 75', Bernardeschi 90+3'.
CHIEVO
Sorrentino (90+1' Seculin); Tomovic, Rossettini, Bani, Cacciatore; Rigoni, Radovanovic, Hetemaj (78' Obi); Depaoli, Stepinski (66' Djordjevic), Giaccherini. Subs not used: Jaroszynski, Barba, Tanasijevic, Kiyine, Birsa, Leris, Meggiorini, Pellissier. Coach: D’Anna.
JUVENTUS Szczesny; Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira (84' Emre Can), Pjanic; Cuadrado (56' Bernardeschi), Dybala, Douglas Costa (64' Mandzukic); Ronaldo.
Subs not used: Perin, Pinsoglio, Barzagli, Rugani, Benatia, Bentancur, Matuidi.
Coach: Allegri.
REFEREE: Pasqua.
ASSISTANTS: Costanzo, Liberti.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Sacchi.
VAR OFFICIALS: Mazzoleni, Marrazzo.
BOOKED: 60' Radovanovic.
