Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Serie A clash between Chievo and Juventus from the Stadio Marc-Antonio Bentegodi.
Cristiano Ronaldo will make his first-team debut for Juventus this afternoon following his spectacular summer arrival from Real Madrid.
The Italian champions will be looking to start their title defence with three points, but Chievo are certainly capable of making it a difficult 90 minutes.
Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the action.
4.01pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live Serie A coverage begins from the Stadio Marc-Antonio Bentegodi as Chievo welcome the Italian champions Juventus. Cristiano Ronaldo will make his long-awaited competitive debut for Juventus this afternoon, and it will be up to Chievo to spoil the party. Stay tuned!
4.04pmJuventus recorded a 2-0 victory in the corresponding match last season, and also ran out 3-0 winners on home soil. Chievo have not actually beaten Juventus in the league since January 2010, but anything can happen at the start of a new season. It would be some turn-up if the hosts did triumph!
4.07pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. So, does Ronaldo start? Or has he been surprisingly named on the bench? Let's have a look at the two XIs...
4.10pmTEAMS!
CHIEVO: To follow.
JUVENTUS: Szczesny; Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Costa; Ronaldo
4.13pmOf course Ronaldo plays! The Portuguese will lead the Juventus attack in this match, with Douglas Costa, Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado operating as the three attacking midfielders. Leonardo Bonucci starts having returned to the club this summer, and there is also a debut at right-back for Joao Cancelo. Wojciech SzczΔsny, meanwhile, starts between the sticks for the Italian champions.
© Reuters
4.16pmStill waiting on the confirmed team news from Chievo, which is a little strange with less than 45 minutes until kickoff, but that is the case. It is a very, very impressive Juventus XI this afternoon, with Sami Khedira and Miralem Pjanic also featuring in midfield. This should be a really fascinating watch.
4.19pmTEAMS!
CHIEVO: Sorrentino; Tomovic, Rossettini, Bani, Cacciatore; Hetemaj, Radovanovic, Rigoni; Giaccherini, Stepinski, Depaoli
JUVENTUS: Szczesny; Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Costa; Ronaldo
4.22pmSo there we have it. Chievo's XI has also been released. There is a debut at centre-forward for Mariusz Stepinski, who arrived from Nantes during the summer. Fellow newcomer Nenad Tomovic also starts, as do Emanuele Giaccherini and Luca Rossettini as the Chievo team takes on a new look for the 2018-19 campaign. It is not all about Ronaldo, and the hosts will be looking to show that tonight.
4.25pmThe two teams are in, and we are now just about 35 minutes from kickoff in Verona. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with the Italian champions Juventus. As mentioned above, a certain Ronaldo makes his debut for the Italian champions, and it is still quite incredible that the club managed to sign him from Real Madrid in this summer's transfer window.
4.28pm
Reporting for duty ππ#ChievoJuve π³π΄ #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/Om5CsM1NOC
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 18, 2018
4.32pmJuventus paid Real Madrid around Β£90m to sign Ronaldo, which is extraordinary when considering that the forward will be 34 early next year. That said, the money will certainly be worth it if Ronaldo manages to lead Juventus to success in the Champions League during the 2018-19 campaign.
4.35pmRonaldo departed Real Madrid having scored 450 goals in 438 appearances in all competitions, which is just stunning. The Portuguese netted on his first appearance for Juventus against the B team last week, but this is where the real business starts. It will be very, very interesting to see how Ronaldo gets on in Italian football. It would be just like him to bag a hat-trick on his debut here.
4.38pmIt has been a busy window for Juventus when considering that Joao Cancelo, Douglas Costa, Leonardo Bonucci, Mattia Perin, Andrea Favilli, Giangiacomo Magnani and Emre Can have also arrived. Juventus again fell short in the Champions League last season β with Ronaldo scoring that stunning over-head kick β but the Italians look very strong this term, and should challenge in Europe.
4.42pm
#FBF β©οΈ @Trezegoldavid comes up with the goods on Matchday One π @ACChievoVerona in 2005! β½οΈπͺπ«π·#ChievoJuve π³π΄ #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/GtnNXEUiGH
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 17, 2018
4.45pmThis is the start of Juventus' Serie A title defence, and they have been installed as the favourites to win the trophy for the eighth time in succession. Napoli put up a strong challenge last term, but Juventus won 30 of their 38 league matches - losing just three - to finish four points clear at the summit.
4.48pmIn terms of what is ahead for Juventus, they will open their Serie A campaign this afternoon before hosting Lazio next weekend. The month of September then begins with a clash against Parma before the international break. Kickoff in this match is now just around 10 minutes away!
4.52pmAs for Chievo, the Yellow and Blues finished 13th last season - winning 10, drawing 10 and losing 18 of their 38 matches to collect 40 points. They were only actually five points clear of the relegation zone though, and needed to finish with three straight wins to ensure that they stayed in the league.
4.55pmIndeed, Chievo beat Crotone, Bologna and Benevento in their last three Serie A fixtures of the 2017-18 campaign after a run of six games without a win had put them in trouble. Hosting Juventus is not exactly ideal on the opening weekend, but a win here would give them serious confidence.
π£ La 1^ giornata di @SerieA dell'@ACChievoVerona sta per iniziare!
— A.C. ChievoVerona (@ACChievoVerona) August 18, 2018
Mister Lorenzo #DAnna ha scelto il suo primo 1β£1β£ per la sfida alla #Juventus!
Forza ragazzi! Il viaggio sta per cominciare! Insieme siamo e saremo sempre piΓΉ forti! #ForzaChievo ππβ½οΈ pic.twitter.com/MT3BxlkWfR
4.58pmIt will not come as a surprise to learn that Chievo performed better at home last season, with seven of their 10 league victories coming in front of their own supporters. They only managed 22 home goals, but conceded just 24, which suggests that it could be a fairly tight match. Juventus though, are not exactly short of goals. Right, the two teams are on the field. Kickoff is next here!
0 minKICKOFF: Chievo kick things off on home soil...
2 min... as expected, Juventus have taken control of the possession in the first couple of minutes, with Khedira and Pjanic moving the ball in the middle of the park. Chievo must be disciplined here.
3 minAll Juventus in terms of possession as they continue to move the ball in Chievo's half of the field. The visitors have a free kick in a wide position as Douglas Costa is brought to the ground by Depaoli...
3 minGOAL! ... CHIEVO 0-1 JUVENTUS (KHEDIRA)
4 minJuventus make the breakthrough in the third minute of the match, with Khedira smashing home from inside the Chievo box after a free kick from Pjanic caused all sorts of problems inside the area!
5 minSAVE! Sorrentino is down to keep out a low strike from Dybala as Juventus threaten again.
6 minMore concern inside the Chievo box as another cross from Pjanic causes a whole host of problems, but the offside flag saves the home side. Juventus are all over Chievo like a rash in these early moments.
8 minChievo just have not seen the ball in the first eight minutes of this match. Ronaldo has not really been involved, but you just get the feeling that there is at least one goal in this game for the Portuguese. Cuadrado, Costa and Dybala are absolutely full of it as they continue to pull Chievo's defence apart.
9 minCHANCE! Oh my word! Incredible chance for Juventus to double their lead as Costa delivers a cross into Cancelo, but the right-back somehow places his effort wide of the post! Wow!
11 minJuventus probably should be two goals ahead at this stage of the match, and Chievo are fortunate to still be in it. That said, the pressure is straight back on as Ronaldo carries the ball forward.
12 minSHOT! Cancelo curls one harmlessly over the Chievo crossbar from distance.
14 minLittle bit of possession for Chievo in the last couple of minutes, but they have been unable to sustain any attacks in the first 14 minutes of this match. Stepinski has been very isolated in the final third.
15 minSHOT! Much better from Chievo, and Radovanovic has just sent one wide of the Juventus post. Just a few signs that the home side are starting to settle in terms of ball possession.
17 minJuventus have had more than 80% of the ball in the first 17 minutes of this match, which is quite incredible for a game at this level of football. It is absolutely flying past as well - great tempo here.
18 minCHANCE! Almost a debut goal for Ronaldo as Cuadrado feeds the Portuguese before he strikes towards the bottom corner, but the ball just misses the post. Very close to 2-0!
20 minJuventus continue to force the issue in the final third, and Ronaldo is combining with Costa, Cuadrado and Dybala, with Chievo's back four just chasing shadows at the moment here.
22 minRonaldo has just started to drift over to the left, which is the position that he favoured during his time at Real Madrid. That said, the number seven is very much playing as the central striker. There is no Karim Benzema in this Juventus team, and it will be very interesting to see how Ronaldo does at the tip.
23 minSHOT! Juventus break on the home side once again, but instead of passing, Cuadrado decides to shoot, and his effort was always too high. Ronaldo and Dybala were not pleased there!
25 minWe have just had a water break, which is an indication of the type of heat that is present here. Chievo need the hydration as well, with Juventus simply moving the ball from side to side at pace.
27 minBack underway, and we are back to Juventus dominating the ball. At 1-0, Chievo will be in the match. However, a second for Juventus would probably secure the points, even at this relatively early stage.
29 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Khedira's early goal remains the difference between the two teams. Chievo are still struggling to see any real ball possession here, and when they do have it, not much is happening in the final third. Chievo needed their fans to be vocal here.
31 minCosta's pace continues to cause Chievo all sorts of issues, with the Brazilian running away from the home side's defence time and time again. Some of the final passes have been quite poor from Costa and Cuadrado, but you still get the feeling that Juventus will run out comfortable winners here.
31 minCLOSE! Ronaldo fires over the Chievo crossbar from a wide angle!
32 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Juventus still lead 1-0. Chievo are doing their best to move the ball when they have the chance, but Juventus have had 84% of the ball here.
33 minDybala goes down on the edge of the Chievo box - and it would have been perfect for Ronaldo - but the referee is not interested. The pressure continues though as the home side cannot get out.
34 minSHOT! Costa's half-volley just misses the top corner as Juventus threaten again!
37 minPjanic delivers a wonderful ball towards the head of Cancelo, but Rossettini manages to head behind. It does appear only a matter of time as Juventus chase a second goal before the interval here.
38 minChievo have just managed to see some possession in the Juventus half of the field, but the away side's goalkeeper has not had anything to do in the first 38 minutes of this match. That said, it is certainly a positive for the home side that they have not conceded a second thus far.
38 minGOAL! CHIEVO 1-1 JUVENTUS (STEPINSKI)
39 minOh my word! Chievo level! Incredible as Stepinski rises highest inside the Juventus box to find the top corner with a header! Juventus are absolutely stunned having had all of this match!
41 minJuventus appear stunned that they have conceded, and they should be having had all of this match. It is suddenly a tricky period for the Italian champions as the home side enjoy good possession.
43 minRonaldo looks to free Dybala inside the Chievo box, but the Argentine cannot dance away from a couple of challenges. Chievo are back under pressure as we approach the half-time break here.
45 minCosta and Cuadrado have been quite sloppy with their final balls in this match, and Ronaldo has had a couple of looks on a couple of occasions here. Few teething problems in the Juventus attack.
45+1 minHetemaj wants a free kick outside the Juventus box after going down under a challenge, but the referee is not interested. The hosts do have a free kick in their own half though as Khedira loses control.
45+2 minHALF TIME: CHIEVO 1-1 JUVENTUS
5.49pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Khedira sent a dominant Juventus ahead in the third minute of the match, and it appeared that the Italian champions would go on and grab a second and a third. However, the home side had other ideas, and levelled the scores through Stepinski in the 38th minute. All square in this Serie A clash.
5.54pmSTATISTICS! Juventus had 77% of the ball in the first period, while they managed 12 attempts, but just two of those were on target. Chievo, meanwhile, only had one attempt on target, and that was their leveller. No yellow cards to report here - it has not really been that type of football match.
5.59pmBENCH WATCH! Juventus boss Allegri has a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with Bernardeschi, Can, Mandzukic and Matuidi all capable of influencing proceedings in the second period. Chievo, meanwhile, have the likes of Obi, Meggiorini and Djordjevic in reserve here.
46 minKICKOFF: Juventus resume the action here...
47 min... I would be very, very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match. Juventus will surely create more chances if they continue to dominate the ball, which should be the case here.
49 minJuventus need a little bit more from Dybala in this second period, with the Argentine struggling to make his mark in the opening 45 minutes. Ronaldo appears to be staying higher up the field at the moment, meanwhile, rather than drift and look for the ball. All Juventus in terms of the ball here.
51 minJuventus appear to be delivering more crosses into the Chievo box at the start of the second period, but Ronaldo is yet to get on the end of one. Chievo do not look overly comfortable as they attempt to play out from the back, and that might not be the best idea with Ronaldo lurking in a forward area.
53 minGiaccherini delivers another dangerous cross into the Juventus box, but this time the away side's goalkeeper is on hand to collect. Chievo's best chance of a second will come from crosses here.
55 minStepinski continues to cause problems inside the Juventus box, and Bonucci has to come across to clear for a throw as Chievo show their hand. We have a very interesting match on our hands here.
55 minPENALTY! Oh my word! Giaccherini goes down under a challenge from Cancelo! Penalty Chievo!
56 minGOAL! CHIEVO 2-1 JUVENTUS (GIACCHERINI, PEN)
57 minIncredible scenes as Giaccherini sends the ball into the bottom corner of the net! Chievo are incredibly 2-1 ahead against Juventus, which seemed so unlikely when Khedira opened the scoring!
57 minJUVENTUS SUB! Bernardeschi replaces Cuadrado for the away side.
59 minLittle over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and Juventus are having all of the ball at the moment as they attempt to level the scores. Now would be a good time for Ronaldo to score!
61 minSAVE! Comfortable save from the Chievo goalkeeper to deny Bernardeschi.
61 minYELLOW CARD! Radovanovic (Chievo) is booked for a foul on Ronaldo.
62 minSAVE! Ronaldo meets a cross from Bonucci, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper!
63 minBernardeschi lashes out at Hetemaj, but the referee takes no further action.
65 minJUVENTUS SUB! Mandzukic replaces Costa for the away side here.
66 minLittle over 20 minutes of football remaining, and I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match. Chievo are not finished attacking as they send players forward once again, and it must be said that Giaccherini has been excellent for the home side in the first 66 minutes here.
66 minSAVE! Sorrentino is across his goal to keep out a powerful Ronaldo strike!
67 minCHIEVO SUB! Stepinski is replaced by Djordjevic for the home side.
69 minThe referee has been busy in the last few minutes as late challenges continue to arrive. Dybala has been poor for the visitors in this match, and has just lost the ball in a dangerous area once again.
69 minCHANCE! Super chance for Ronaldo, but the Portuguese sees his close-range effort deflected over the crossbar! Ronaldo is getting closer, and you do get the feeling he will have a say here.
72 minJust about 20 minutes of football remaining here, and the home side still lead, which is quite incredible. Chievo are sinking, however, which is dangerous, and Mandzukic has just headed wide.
74 minSAVE! Sorrentino keeps out a low strike from Dybala as the pressure continues.
75 minGOAL! CHIEVO 2-2 JUVENTUS (BANI OG)
76 minJuventus level the scores in the 75th minute, and it looks to have come off Bani for the own goal! Bonucci was claiming it though, and it might well go down as his!
78 minRonaldo has a free kick in a wide position just outside the Chievo box...
78 minSAVE! ... Sorrentino keeps out the strike from Ronaldo!
79 minCHIEVO SUB! Obi replaces Hetemaj for the home side.
81 minJuventus are all over Chievo at the moment as the pressure continues. What a match!
83 minLittle over five minutes of the second period remaining, and you do get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Chievo are coming under some serious pressure at the moment.
85 minBit of possession for Chievo in the last couple of minutes, but the final strike from Rigoni was always rising over the crossbar. Juventus are preparing to make their third change of the match here.
85 minJUVENTUS SUB! Can replaces Khedira for the away side.
86 minSAVE! Super save from Sorrentino to keep out a header from Can!
87 minBig concern over Sorrentino here as the Chievo goalkeeper stays down following a collision.
87 minGOAL! CHIEVO 2-3 JUVENTUS (MANDZUKIC)
88 minFollowing a period of confusion, Mandzukic's goal has been awarded. The striker's header looked to be cleared off the line, but Juventus have scored a third. Sorrentino was on the deck and no-one knew what was happening, but it is 3-2 Juventus following a strange set of circumstances.
90 minThe referee looks to be checking for a potential Ronaldo handball here on VAR.
90 minGOAL DISALLOWED!
90+1 minNo goal here! The referee consulted VAR, and the goal has been disallowed!
90+1 minCHIEVO SUB! Sorrentino is replaced by Seculin for the home side.
90+3 minGOAL! CHIEVO 2-3 JUVENTUS (BERNARDESCHI)
90+4 minJust incredible. Juventus finally have their goal, with Bernardeschi turning a low Sandro cross into the back of the net. I cannot keep up. All I know is that Juventus are now leading 3-2 here.
90+5 minYELLOW CARD! Tomovic (Chievo) is booked for a foul on Mandzukic.
90+6 minI am not too sure how much more time is going to be played here.
90+7 minFULL TIME: CHIEVO 2-3 JUVENTUS
6.58pmWhat an incredible match. Juventus come from 2-1 behind to win 3-2 with a goal at the death. Incredible scenes inside the stadium. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live Serie A coverage, and be sure to have a look for the match report, which will land shortly!
