Juventus' Angel Di Maria (L) vies with Sassuolo's Rogerio during their Serie A football match in Turin, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
ROME, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Angel Di Maria made a brilliant Serie A debut on Monday, scoring one and setting up another to help Juventus open the new season with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Sassuolo.
Juve ended last season empty-handed, and entered Monday's game without Federico Chiesa, Paul Pogba, Wojciech Szczesny, Moise Kean and Adrien Rabiot. Di Maria, who joined the Bianconeri from PSG in the summer on a free transfer, got the nod in the starting line-up, while fellow new arrival Filip Kostic was on the bench.
After a run of plays, the home side broke the deadlock in the 25th minute as Alex Sandro rolled across from the left and Di Maria hit a first-time volley that looped over the goalkeeper.
Dusan Vlahovic doubled the lead before the break as he converted a penalty after being tripped in the box.
Juve added another goal minutes into the second half when Sassuolo were caught napping by Di Maria, whose pass found Vlahovic to seal the win.
The only downside for the Old Lady was Di Maria's injury, as he was subbed off to be replaced by Fabio Miretti.
Also on Monday, Napoli dominated Hellas Verona 5-2 with five players on the scoresheet. ■
Juventus' Angel Di Maria (3rd R) celebrates his goal with his teammates during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Sassuolo in Turin, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic (2nd R) celebrates his goal with his teammates during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Sassuolo in Turin, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic (R) vies with Sassuolo's Gianmarco Ferrari during their Serie A football match in Turin, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic (C) vies with Sassuolo's Gianmarco Ferrari (L) and Kaan Ayhan during their Serie A football match in Turin, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (C) scores his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Stanislav Lobotka (R) celebrates his goal with his teammate Victor Osimhen during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Amir Rrahmani (R) vies with Hellas Verona's Thomas Henry during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Hirving Lozano (L) vies with Hellas Verona's Bruno Amione during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Piotr Zielinski celebrates his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Amir Rrahmani (top) vies with Hellas Verona's Thomas Henry during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Matteo Politano celebrates his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Napoli's Piotr Zielinski scores his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Hellas Verona in Verona, Italy, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
