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Juventus began the quest for an unprecedented 10th consecutive Scudetto with a 3-0 win over Sampdoria in an electric performance at the Allianz Stadium. Debutant Dejan Kulusevski, Leonardo Bonucci and Cristiano Ronaldo all bagged a goal apiece as the Bianconeri cruised to all three points on the opening day.
Andrea Pirlo, in his first match as the Juventus manager, already seems to have had a positive impact on the side as the reigning champions looked completely transformed from the listless, unappetising and laborious outfit it often seemed under Maurizio Sarri last season.
On that note, here are the five major talking points from the match:
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo's persistence pays off
Having not scored in a season's first game since 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo's opening day hoodoo appeared to continue after the star desperately struggled to hit the barn door of a banjo despite being at the receiving end of some good chances.
He came close on multiple occasions, but his efforts were pftem wayward. Too often, they sailed wide off the post while even set-pieces attempts didn't bear fruit much to his dismay. However, he isn't one to give up, is he?
Ronaldo persisted as he continued to probe the Sampdoria defence by running into tight spaces in the box or flexing his aerial prowess with high jumps before he was finally rewarded with a goal in the 88th minute that made it 3-0 on the night for Juventus.
Drifting out wide, he collected a pass from Aaron Ramsey and rifled an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner beyond Emil Audero to open his account for the 2020-21 season. After netting 31 times last season, it'd be interesting to see how many he gets this time around.
#2 Juventus new boy Dejan Kulusevski is off and running
A lot is expected from summer recruit Dejan Kulusevski who lit up the league in the previous campaign with his precocious talent. Kulusevski, who was adjudged Serie A's best young player of the 2019-20 season for his blistering exploits, is now off and running after a goal-scoring debut for Juventus.
Signed for just €35 million from Parma, the Swede took only 13 minutes to make his first real impression, latching on to Ronaldo's backpass with a deft first-touch before curling the ball into the bottom corner for his first Bianconeri goal.
The 20-year-old was positive throughout, turning in an encouraging performance with his eagerness, tremendous burst of energy and link-up play with Ronaldo, something that will only develop going forward.
#3 Sampdoria come close, but no cigar
The scoreline might suggest that Sampdoria were rolled over, but that wasn't really the case. Juventus were of course the better side on the night, but Claudio Ranieri's men did manage to carve out some good chances albeit without the cutting edge to finish them off.
Sampdoria, who looked more energetic and threatening after the second stanza, got the ball around the Juventus defence quickly. Federico Bonazzoli steered an effort over the bar as the visitors upped the ante after the Juventus' second goal.
A period of sustained pressure culminated with Albin Ekdal testing Wojciech Szczesny from close range before Fabio Quagliarella tried a shot from range that whizzed inches wide of the post.
In total, Sampdoria attempted 15 shots but could muster only one on target. So there's urgency in the side, but what's lacking is clinical finishing. Should that improve too, Sampdoria oould be a really menacing outfit to defend against.
#4 Emil Audero packs a punch
Amid all the chaos that unfolded in the Sampdoria box, Emil Audero rightfully deserves a mention for his heroics and for almost keeping out Ronaldo too.
The 23-year-old custodian was busy throughout the night but never put a wrong foot forward. He stood tall in the face of the Juventus onslaught and prevented the match from being an absolute blow-out, making five saves on the night.
He was particularly a thorn in Ronaldo's flesh, denying him on multiple occasions, most notably punching away his free-kick in the second half to further frustrate the Juventus striker. As there was virtually nothing he could do about any of Juventus' three goals, Audero must be proud of his performance despite a heavy defeat for his side.
#5 'Pirloball' injects life into Juventus
One of the biggest criticisms of Marizio Sarri's Juventus was lack of fluid football. The team often looked desperately shorn of ideas and ingenuity, labouring to narrow victories or relying on moments of brilliance from either Cristiano Ronaldo or Paulo Dybala.
Even though the side managed to hang on to their domestic title, they paid the price for their putrid brand of football in the Champions League after failing to get past the Round of 16 for the second consecutive season. Sarri was duly given the sack, and Juventus appointed a relatively inexperienced Pirlo at the helm.
There were doubts about the new manager's ability to guide the team, having only stepped into uncharted waters, but after the positive first impression against Sampdoria, it seems like Pirlo is taking Juventus in the right direction.
Juventus looked very rejuvenated under their new manager. They got the ball moving around quickly and tested Sampdoria to the hilt, creating chances at a rapid rate and executing a free-flowing brand of football that was refreshing to watch.
The newcomers appeared to comfortably bed in already while Giorgio Chiellini starred like he wasn't absent from the side whatsoever. Adrian Rabiot too seemed to be back to his scintillating best. If this was anything to go by, then exciting days lie ahead for the Juventini.
