(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)Serie A champions Juventus weakened by a series of departures in the close season slumped to 1-0 home defeat against Udinese on Sunday as the new Italian league campaign got into gear with shocks and drama.
Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic also got off on the wrong foot with AC Milan as the seven-times European champions lost 2-0 at Fiorentina and Napoli slumped to a 2-1 defeat at modest Sassuolo. Inter Milan needed a stoppage time goal from debutant Stevan Jovetic to beat Atalanta 1-0. Mihajlovic's previous club Sampdoria gave Carpi a baptism of fire by smashing five goals past the Serie A newcomers in the first 37 minutes although the visitors finished with a more respectable 5-2 scoreline. Juve's defeat ended their 47-match unbeaten home league record - a run stretching back to January 2013 - and ensured that the Turin side began their pursuit of a fifth straight title in miserable fashion. Juve enjoyed the lion's share of the chances but were unable to respond when French striker Cyril Thereau finished from close range after 78 minutes following an excellent cross from Panagiotis Kone. At the Artemio Franchi Fiorentina made sure Milan's miserable form from last season continued. Milan defender Rodrigo Ely was sent off after 37 minutes for a second bookable offence and Marcos Alonso sent the resulting free kick past Diego Lopez from 30 metres. Fiore now managed by former Basel coach Paulo Sousa doubled their lead after 56 minutes when Josip Ilicic converted a penalty after Alessio Romagnoli brought down the Slovenia midfielder. Napoli where former Empoli coach Maurizio Sarri has replaced Rafael Benitez on the bench took a third-minute lead through Marek Hamsik but failed to capitalise on their good start. Chievo scored three times in nine minutes as they came from behind to win 3-1 at Empoli.
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