Champions Juventus and their new coach Massimiliano Allegri made a winning start to the Serie A season with a 1-0 victory at Chievo Verona yesterday.

A sixth minute own goal from Chievo defender Cristiano Biraghi proved to be enough for Juve who could easily have won by a greater margin.

But ex-Milan coach Allegri will be delighted with the display of 18-year-old French striker Kingsley Coman, a close-season free transfer signing from Paris Saint Germain.

Coman, paired with a slimmed-down Carlos Tevez in attack, looked confident, sharp and dangerous throughout his Serie A debut.

The decisive goal came when Juve’s Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres powered got the end of a corner deep at the back post and his header was turned in by Biraghi, who is on loan at Chievo from Inter.

Coman went close with a fierce shot on the turn in the 36th minute that force a fine save out of Chievo keeper Francesco Bardi, also on loan from Inter.

The woodwork kept Chievo in the game though – Tevez and Caceres both hitting the bar shortly before the break as Juventus looked to extend their lead.

After the interval, Juventus continued to press forward and enjoy the better of possession although their keeper Gianluigi Buffon had to be sharp to foil a Maxi Lopez drive in the 77th minute.

In the evening match, Roma, touted by many as Juventus’ main title challengers this season, were also off to a positive start when they beat Fiorentina 1-0 at the Olimpico.

Radja Nainggolan put the Giallorossi after 28 minutes before Gervinho sealed the points late on.

Fixtures

Serie A

Played yesterday

Chievo 0
Juventus 1
Biraghi 6og;

HT: 0-1. Att: 25,000.

Roma 2
Nainggolan 28; Gervinho 90;
Fiorentina 0

HT: 1-0. Att: 44,533.

Today (20.45)
Atalanta vs Verona - 18.00
Cesena vs Parma
Genoa vs Napoli
Milan vs Lazio - 18.00
Palermo vs Sampdoria
Sassuolo vs Cagliari
Torino vs Inter
Udinese vs Empoli

Serie B

Played yesterday
Avellino vs Pro Vercelli - 1-0
Catania vs Lanciano - 3-3
Crotone vs Ternana - 0-2
Entella vs Bari - 0-2
Frosinone vs Brescia - 1-0
Livorno vs Carpi - 1-1
Pescara vs Trapani - 0-0
Varese vs Spezia - 2-1

Tomorrow
Modena vs Cittadella - 20.30