Juve draw with Notts County in stadium inauguration

Juventus inaugurated their ground-breaking new stadium with a 1-1 draw against Notts County during a night of celebration on Thursday.

The English League One side, the oldest professional club in the world having been founded in 1862, were the guests as a mark of thanks for their historic link with the hosts.

The 122-million-euro 41,000-seater stadium was packed to the rafters, showcasing the first such ground in Italy to be privately owned by a club.

The occasion was also used to remember the 39 victims of the Heysel Stadium disaster as well as former Juve legend Gaetano Scirea.

There were also appearances from some of the club’s oldest living ex-players, such as 91-year-old former goalkeeper Lucidio Sentimenti IV.

There was even an appearance from a figure older still, the bench on which were sitting the students who founded the club.

It descended from the sky with the two greatest goalscorers in Juve’s history upon it.

“I’m here after 67 years to give you all a hug. Winning isn’t important, it’s the only thing that counts,” said 83-year-old Giampiero Boniperti, perhaps failing to see the irony of his comments alongside Juve’s defiant brandishing of their ill-gotten titles.

He had been Juve’s greatest ever goalscorer for 50 years until current club captain Alessandro Del Piero overtook him.

“I’m delighted to have contributed to writing a part of the 114 years of history, of fantastic pages and memories,” said Del Piero before the fireworks began.

On the pitch there were far fewer sparks as the most decorated side in Italy – they have 27 scudetto crowns – were held to a 1-1 draw by the English minnows.

Luca Toni gave Juve a 53rd-minute lead but former West Brom forward Lee Hughes scored an equaliser three minutes from time.