Khedira steals the spotlight
LAZIO 0
JUVENTUS 1
(Sami Khedira 66)
A second-half winner from Sami Khedira made it two wins from two for Juventus yesterday morning (Singapore time).
Juventus, who started their title defence with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina the previous week, were kept on a tight rein by Lazio throughout a first half of few chances at the Stadio Olimpico.
But, less than a minute after record summer signing Gonzalo Higuain came off the bench to replace Mario Mandzukic midway through the second period, Germany midfielder Khedira was set up by Paulo Dybala and beat Federico Marchetti.
The German held off his marker to collect Dybala's smart chip, turned inside and beat Marchetti at his far post with a crisp, angled shot.
It was enough to see Juve go top ahead of this morning's fixtures (Singapore time), but after a busy summer transfer period Massimiliano Allegri was quick to calm fans' expectations.
"Given the heat in Rome and the fact Lazio are a well-organised side, we were never going to dominate this game," said Allegri.
"But we had a much better second half: Let's say we've started better than we did last year." - AFP.
Milik makes his mark for Napoli
Napoli made amends for Gonzalo Higuain's shock departure by signing Arkadiusz Milik, and the Poland striker made sure fans got to know his name by hitting a first-half brace in a thrilling 4-2 win at the San Paolo yesterday morning (Singapore time).
Milik gave them a 2-0 lead by the 33rd minute, after he tapped home Dries Mertens' shot, which came off the post, then rose to beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a glancing header.
Milan looked to have fought their way back when M'Baye Niang, with a fine individual effort from a tight angle, and Spanish striker Suso, with a spectacular curling shot, pulled them level on 55 minutes.
But Juraj Kucka saw red soon after for a needless challenge on Mertens, his second bookable offence, and when Mertens saw Donnarumma save his angled drive with 16 minutes to play, Callejon ran in to convert the rebound.
Niang saw red for a second bookable offence in the 88th minute before Callejon scored another goal. - AFP.
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