3) Pipita is well worth his €90 million fee
For all those decrying his fee, Gonzalo Higuain had pretty much the perfect debut for Juventus, firmly shoving the words of his detractors back down their throats. Yet, for somone who cost €90,000,000, Higuain had a spectacularly awful summer. The striker endured the abuse of Napoli officials and fans alike, in addition to that of Argentina, after missing another crucial chance in the Copa America final, before returning back looking rather worse for wear.
Yet, Juventus weren’t paying that much for just a goal-scorer – they paid that fee for a hero. When Nicola Kalinic pulled a goal back for a hugely impressive Fiorentina to cancel out Sami Khedira’s opener, the nervousness in the Turin air was palpable. All those predictions of invincibility and a romp to the league title looked rather foolhardy.
Up stepped El Pipita, just 9 minutes into his Bianconeri debut to give the Juventus fans a moment they’ll remember forever. Higuain’s sense for the occasion remains and he turned in a goal from the narrowest of angles to send the gathered Juve fans wild. With one swipe of his boot, Higuain brought the swagger back to Juve – a quality they will need if they are to win the UEFA Champions League this season, if not just the Serie A.
