ROME: Carlos Tevez scored a debut winner as Italian champions Juventus opened their Serie A title defence with a 1-0 win over Sampdoria in Genoa.

Tevez’s strike after his summer move from Manchester City provided the Turin club with a perfect start in pursuit of a third crown as he converted an assist from Paul Pogba. He said: “It was the perfect night for me. It’s not easy to understand how the team works so well so soon.”

Sampdoria were reduced to 10 men in the final minute when substitute Paolo Castellini was sent off for a foul on Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Milan suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat away to promoted Verona for whom veteran striker Luca Toni struck twice.

Verona, back in Serie A after an 11-year absence, recovered spiritedly after conceding a 14th-minute openign goal to Andrea Poli. Toni then headed both comeback goals after 28 and 52 minutes.

The match had been preceded by controversy with the mayor of Verona claiming that Milan forward Mario Balotelli was a troublemaker who brought abuse on himself. Home fans chose to applaud him ironically and chant his name instead.

Milan fans, in retaliatory anger, ripped out seats and threw them at the Verona contingent.

Gignac repeat

In France a late goal from Andre-Pierre Gignac secured a 1-0 win for Marseille at Valenciennes, extending their 100pc, three-game start to the season. Gignac had also scored in the first two matches of term for the leaders.

In Germany Franck Ribery – with a rare header – and Arjen Robben scored the second-half goals as European and domestic champions Bayern Munich beat Nurnberg 2-0 on the day the Bundesliga celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Mario Gotze made his Bayern debut after moving from joint leaders Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Bayern’s victory extended their club record of 28 home league games without defeat. Ribery also set a club record with his 18th win in 18 successive league appearances.

Schalke, yet to win, suffered their second defeat in three games by 2-1 at Hannover where they had captain Benedikt Howedes sent off in the 14th minute.

PEC perfect

In Holland surprise side PEC Zwolle maintained their own 100pc start to the season when Guyon Fernandez and Rochdi Achenteh scored in a 2-0 home win over Cambuur Leeuwarden. A fourth successive victory moved PEC two points clear at the top from PSV Eindhoven who were held 1-1 at Heracles Almelo.

In Spain ex-Arsenal forward scored the second-half equaliser as Real Sociedad hit back for a 1-1 draw away to promoted Elche who had taken a second-minute lead through Ferran Corominas.

** David Trezeguet, veteran ex-France striker, scored his first goal for Argentina’s champions Newell’s Old Boys in a 2-0 win away to Atletico Rafaela. Trezeguet, 35, was released at the end of last season by River Plate.

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