Italian Serie A Review: Juventus vs. Parma, Bianconeri Run Riot in New Stadium

The moment Juventus walked onto the pitch in yesterday's clash with Parma, Juventini around the world could feel there was something different about the start to this Serie A campaign. Whether it was the new signings, the new stadium or just the want to do better than last year, there was something in the air in the new Juventus stadium. A sold-out stadium saw Bianconeri fans once again united, chanting, singing, cheering this time closer to the pitch than ever.

Although a number of new signings, including Mirko Vucinic and Eljero Elia, were left out of the starting 11, the Juventus team that took the pitch put on one of the most dominant Juventus displays in recent memory. With 65 percent possession the Bianconeri destroyed any hope Parma had of scoring goals by simply not giving them the ball.

With Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio composed in the centre of midfield, it was only a matter of time before a ball from either of the two led to a goal. And in just the 17th minute it was Pirlo who found Stephan Lichtsteiner with a superbly weighted ball, completely tearing apart the Parma defence. The Swiss fullback controlled nicely to round Antonio Mirante and slot home. 1-0 to Juventus, first goal in the new stadium, Juventus was back and were not looking like slowing down.

Parma were on the back foot, wave after wave of Juventus attack drew closer to a second goal and midway through the first half it looked as though Alessandro Matri. A header was ruled offside by the third official, and judging by the replay, the decision was incorrect.

Halftime couldn't come soon enough for Parma, who had not seen much ball, let alone much sight on goal. Although it was 1-0 at the break, Juventus looked impressive—very impressive.

The second half continued much the same way as the first. Juventus dominated, Parma chased. With Matri hitting the post early on after a ball through from Alessandro Del Piero, Simone Pepe popped up to rocked home a shot past Mirante and into the back of the net 2-0 to Juventus, and his golfer celebration did not go astray.

Vucinic and Arturo Vidal were introduced just minutes after each other, and both players had an impact on the game, with Vucinic holding the ball up well and Vidal getting a goal. After a goal-mouth scramble fell to the Chilean he brilliantly composed himself to send a half volley flying into the net. The goal marking his presence in the Juventus squad, and giving Antonio Conte headaches about who to pick for the starting two central roles.

Juventus were cruising, and nearly nothing Parma did seemed to phase the Juventus defence. Sebastian Giovinco ran non-stop trying to prove his point to Juventus staff who showed little faith in him; however, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli had him covered, to the extent that the Italian international began to fall over his own feet.

As full time approached, Juve had one more trick to pull out. The two link-up men in the central of midfield, Pirlo and Marchiso, gave us a glimpse of what we can look forward to this season. Pirlo once again the protagonist, playing an inch perfect ball to his Italian counterpart who phenomenally slotted the ball home on the volley.

At 4-0, the Juventus Stadium was in raptures.

If there was anything that somewhat spoiled the start to Juventus' season it was the finish to this encounter. With Giovinco through on goal, left back Paolo de Ceglie seemingly took the legs out from under Giovinco, bringing him down in the penalty area. A penalty was awarded and de Ceglie gave his marching orders.

Giovinco cooly slotted home past a clearly upset Gianluigi Buffon, who was not able to maintain his clean sheet. 4-1 is finished, the score no means an indicator of the dominance of Juventus. In all honest they should've won by more.

Call it early, but Juventus will be hard to beat in this season's Italian Serie A. Antonio Conte's men did themselves proud on the opening match day.

FINAL SCORE: Juventus 4:1 Parma

GOALS: Lichtsteiner 17, Pepe 58, Vidal 73, Marchisio 83, Giovinco 91 (pen)

Man of the Match: Andrea Pirlo

JUVENTUS Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Marchisio, Pirlo; Giaccherini, Matri (Vucinic 57), Del Piero (Vidal 67), Pepe (Krasic 71)
Substitutes not used: Storari, Bonucci, Elia, Toni
Manager: Antonio Conte

PARMA Mirante; Zaccardo, Paletta, Lucarelli, Rubin; Valiani, Morrone, Galloppa (Zè Eduardo 74), Modesto (Biabiany 62); Giovinco; Pellè (Floccari 64)
Substitutes not used: Pavarini, Felstcher, Blasi, Crespo.
Manager: Franco Colomba