MILAN: Cristiano Ronaldo was left waiting for his first Juventus goal after drawing another blank as the titleholders won 2-1 at Parma in Serie A on Saturday to maintain their 100 per cent record.
An early Mario Mandzukic goal and a second-half strike from Blaise Matuidi gave Juve their third win in as many league games this season, although Ronaldo was left without a goal in his first 270 minutes with the Turin side.
Ivorian forward Gervinho scored in between for Parma, his first goal since joining them in the close season.
Earlier on Saturday, Inter Milan midfielder Radja Nainggolan scored on his injury-delayed debut to set them on the way to their first win of the season as they beat Bologna 3-0 away.
“(Ronaldo) has to deal with different difficulties in Serie A but he had a good game overall,” said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. “The international break will make him sharper.
“He’s the world’s best player, he wants to score at all costs but he needs to remain calm and the goals will come in a burst.”
Juventus got the perfect start when Mandzukic’s header from a Juan Cuadrado cross hit Simone Iacoponi and rebounded kindly to the Croatian forward who turned the ball into the empty net.
Ronaldo kept trying but it was a frustrating night for the World Player of the Year as Parma cut off the supply lines and prevented him getting in any of his dipping long-range shots. — Reuters
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