Juventus are the unanimous pick from the FC crew to win Serie A, but not everyone is convinced Cristiano Ronaldo will be player of the year.
On the eve of Cristiano Ronaldo's debut for Juventus, Mina Rzouki and Gab Marcotti discuss their expectations for him and how he will be deployed.
James Horncastle breaks down what he expects the Juventus XI will look like at Chievo after Max Allegri confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo will start.
Massimiliano Allegri revealed new signing Cristiano Ronaldo has already impressed in training ahead of their Serie A opener against Chievo.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri looks forward to Cristiano Ronaldo making his debut in Serie A on Saturday when his side faces Chievo.
FC's James Horncastle is in Turin to report on the news Cristiano Ronaldo will start in Juventus' opener and Claudio Marchisio has left the club after 25 years.
Cristiano Ronaldo is just days away from his Juventus debut against Chievo Verona. Get hyped.
ESPN FC brings you the latest coverage from Cristiano Ronaldo's debut at Juventus.
The reigning Serie A champions -- winners seven times in a row -- kick off their title defence against Chievo on Saturday, live on ESPN+.
Here's a look back at the 33-year-old's new start following his big money move from Real Madrid.
Post-match Reaction
James Horncastle on Ronaldo's debut:
Piece for @ESPNFC on Ronaldo's Serie A debut and Juventus' stoppage time win in Verona https://t.co/jXhYbQT1L6 #Juventus #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/LnmF2nBDpC
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) August 18, 2018
Mina Rzouki's Juventus player ratings: http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/juventus/111/blog/post/3602419/cristiano-ronaldo-frustrated-on-juventus-debut-as-chievo-prove-serie-a-is-tough
What a start to the Serie A season
FT - RIMONTA PAZZESCA COMPLETATA!!! I PRIMI 3 PUNTI DELLA STAGIONE, 3 PUNTI DI CARATTERE! ???
?️? #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve ?️? pic.twitter.com/LVWLJjFN7u
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) August 18, 2018
Juve finds a late winner
Federico Bernardeschi scores in the 93rd minute to rescue Juventus' season opener and make Cristiano Ronaldo a winner in his Serie A debut. What an ending. What a match.
Juve 3 -2 Chievo
Late VAR drama
The only thing that could overshadow Cristiano Ronaldo's debut? VAR, of course!
Mario Mandzukic's header is cleared off the line but no goal is given on the pitch. On replay the ball clearly crosses the line but the referee after VAR decides there was a foul on goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino ahead of the goal. No goal is given and Sorrentino is substituted off after a nasty clash with Ronaldo in the box.
It stays 2-2 and there will be five minutes of added time.
The equaliser
The moment Juventus pulled level via an own goal.
JUVE ARE LEVEL!
Leonardo Bonucci, who spent last season at AC Milan after seven seasons in Turin, tries to claim a return goal but it is friendly fire that does Chievo in. Federico Bernardeschi's corner results in an own goal by Mattia Bani, as Juve pull even at 2-2.
LA PAREGGIA @bonucci_leo19!!! FORZA RAGAZZI!!! ???
Splendido stacco di testa del difensore, nel giorno del suo ritorno, su corner di @fbernardeschi.#ChievoJuve (2-2)#ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/yG6o6GAazp
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) August 18, 2018
Ronaldo getting closer
After having a long-range header stopped comfortably, a terrific curling Ronaldo effort is brilliant stopped by Stefano Sorrentino. Is this setting up for CR7 dramatics or will Ronny be frustrated on his Serie A debut?
2-1 Chievo after 73 minutes.
¡PARADÓN de Sorrentino! ¡@Cristiano lo intenta pero sigue sin ver puerta!
CHI 2-1 JUV#GolSerieA pic.twitter.com/zYRF0V2DvT
— GOL (@Gol) August 18, 2018
Chievo go ahead
After a dream start things are not going to script for Ronaldo and Juventus. Emanuele Giaccherini draws a penalty from Joao Cancelo and then converts the spot kick to pull the hosts ahead. Talk about a shock scoreline.
⚽️11'st - GOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!! #Chievo in vantaggio!!!!!! EMANUELEEEEEEEEE GIACCHERINIIIIIIIII!!! Dagli 11 metri non sbaglia spiazzando l'estremo difensore della #Juventus ???? #ChievoJuve 2-1 ?? pic.twitter.com/xJPLhbxBFt
— A.C. ChievoVerona (@ACChievoVerona) August 18, 2018
Hmmm...
Cristiano Ronaldo is a goal-scoring machine.
The only question is: How many goals will he score? pic.twitter.com/1QXb13RT9o
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 18, 2018
All level at the break
HT: un primo tempo all'attacco che però si chiude in equilibrio. Forza ragazzi! ?#FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/ZeUa0shDkS
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) August 18, 2018
Chievo answer back
Completely against the run of the play, the hosts strike from nowhere. Mariusz Stepinski is the goalscorer for Chievo as his well-taken header pulls the home side level. Can Chievo spoil the party?
American viewers can watch all the action from Ronaldo's debut. Launched in 2018, ESPN+ is the American soccer fan's home for a host of professional leagues from around the world, highlighted by Italy's Serie A, Major League Soccer, the UEFA Nations League and the English FA Cup.
Khedira's opener
Here's a look at Sami Khedira's early opener for Juve.
SO CLOSE...
Ronaldo's first real chance falls to him on 18 minutes but the Portuguese superstar pulls a low shot inches wide. You wouldn't bet against him opening his Italian account here.
Juve start quickly
The seven-time defending Serie A champions waste no time as Sami Khedira scores inside of three minutes to send the Bianconeri on there way in 2018-19.
First glimpses
Just about time now as Cristiano Ronaldo is minutes away from his Serie A debut. Still looks funny not in Real Madrid colours if you ask me.
The future begins now.
Watch Ronaldo's Juventus debut now on ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/gwPrMkIOoH
— ESPN (@espn) August 18, 2018
RONALDO STARTS
Juventus team: Szczesny; Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Douglas Costa; Ronaldo
The champions arrive
Ronaldo and co arrive pic.twitter.com/hpb9oPrbMw
— Mina Rzouki (@Minarzouki) August 18, 2018
Mina Rzouki is also there for us to see Ronaldo's debut and he's arrived at the stadium ahead of kick off. Team news not long now.
STAT ATTACK
Ronaldo enjoyed incredible success in front of goal for Madrid as our nifty graphic shows, so what can we expect from him in Serie A?
Can Cristiano Ronaldo do for Juventus what he did for Real Madrid? ? pic.twitter.com/zd94JZi5Yt
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 18, 2018
The great man has his say on Ronaldo's debut ...
Good luck, Cristiano, for your first game with @juventusfc. In '61, Fiat's owner offered to buy me but these are the only stripes for Pelé ! / Boa sorte, @Cristiano, no seu primeiro jogo na Juventus. Em 61, o dono da Fiat tentou me levar, mas essas são as únicas listras pro Pelé! pic.twitter.com/W81OPW5RyM
— Pelé (@Pele) August 18, 2018
In America? Watch on ESPN+
Three hours to go until kick-off at Chievo! ?⚽️
Where in the ? will you be shouting ? #FINOALLAFINE #FORZAJUVE ? for our season opener?#ChievoJuve pic.twitter.com/ubV4RoZzJk
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 18, 2018
We're sure Ronaldo's fine with that. Totally fine.
Seem to be as many if not more Marchisio shirts than Ronaldo ones among the Juventus away support today pic.twitter.com/pEiei8LIuE
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) 18 August 2018
Farewell, Claudio
Following on from James' tweet, here's the full story on the end of an era at Juventus ...
Past and present
Still more than 3 hours to kick off and crowd already building. Ronaldo shirt next to a Marchisio one. Show of solidarity after the Juve bandiera terminated his contract yesterday pic.twitter.com/jnpHEHw50V
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) 18 August 2018
A beautiful day in Verona
Balconies in Verona are not just for Romeo and Juliet. They're to show Chievo that while you may be in Serie B only one team in Verona has won the Scudetto pic.twitter.com/hG16e7Aecj
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) August 18, 2018
"Today's the day!"
Today's the day! ? Let's start the season in style ?⚪⚫? #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve #ChievoJuve
Juventus have shown off the man everyone's talking about.
Ronaldo's new weapons
New challenge, new wheels. Switching it up a gear for the new season with the new Raised on Concrete Mercurial Superfly 360. #NikeFootball #Mercurial #BornMercurial
As the man says, a new challenge means new wheels. Ronaldo has been on Instagram showing off his new boots which will get an airing on his debut.
Bit of nostalgia
At the Bentegodi it is always Italia 90 pic.twitter.com/nDgOTf990q
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) 18 August 2018
Our man James Horncastle is having a nosey around Ronaldo's stage for this evening and spotted a great World Cup throwback.
Getting ready for the main event
Bentegodi all sold out for first game of the season and Ronaldo's Serie A debut pic.twitter.com/e2uUXQQl7m
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) 18 August 2018
James Horncastle is at Chievo for ESPN and as you can expect, it's a sell out.
Ronaldo on song
As is custom when you join a new club, singing in front of your teammates is a must.
Cristiano Ronaldo singing his heart out for Juventus ? pic.twitter.com/90DrhBHw8n
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 17, 2018
Ronaldo belted out a rendition of "A minha Casinha" by Portuguese rock band Xutos & Pontapes and it went down well!
Find out more.
Source: espn.co.uk