Gonzalo Higuain on Saturday repaid a first chunk of his 90 million euro (US$101.9 million) transfer fee by firing Juventus to a 2-1 victory over ACF Fiorentina in their Serie A opener.
It was the perfect start to the champions’ bid for a record sixth consecutive Italian title against opponents who finished fifth last season and are tipped to do better in this campaign.
AS Roma also got their campaign off to a strong start, thrashing Udinese 4-0 thanks to a second-half blitz at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Higuain had been left out of Juve’s starting lineup, because he was not deemed to be fully match fit.
However, he came off the bench to seal the three points with a strike that suggested his poacher’s brain is as quick as ever, even if his waistline has expanded over the summer.
“I’m really happy to have made my debut, for the win and for the goal,” he said. “We have to carry on like this. It was really important to start with a win. We worked well and deserved the win.”
Higuain, who was treated to a standing ovation in Juventus Stadium, said he had been touched by the warmth of his welcome in Turin.
“I hope I can repay the affection with a lot of goals,” he said. “I want to win as many titles as possible, but there is a long way to go.”
Fiorentina’s Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic had canceled out Sami Khedira’s stunning first-half opener for the champions.
However, Higuain killed the contest with an exhibition of the predatory instincts that brought him a record 36 league goals for SSC Napoli last season.
The 28-year-old had been on the field for exactly eight minutes and 27 seconds when Khedira’s blocked shot spun across the Fiorentina goalmouth.
Higuain was first to react and he was able to squeeze the ball between Fiorentina goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu and his near post from a tight angle.
Juventus had spurned a string of half-chances before Khedira fired them into a 37th-minute lead with a rocket of a header.
Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini whipped in a cross from the left and his teammate met it at full sprint just behind the penalty spot, leaving Tatarusanu with no chance.
However, Fiorentina worked their way back into the contest after the break.
And their efforts were rewarded when Kalinic outjumped leftback Alex Sandro at the back post to nod a corner past Gianluigi Buffon in the Juve goal.
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