ROME: Juventus launched their bid for a sixth successive league title after their record signing Gonzalo Higuain came off the bench to grab a trademark winner in a 2-1 success over Fiorentina on the opening day of the Serie A season.

Higuain, who came up from Napoli in a 90-million euro ($99-million) deal, scored from a tight angle after a shot from Sami Khedira was deflected — eight minutes and 26 seconds after he came on and with just his third touch against opponents who finished fifth last season and are tipped to do better in this campaign.

In the new curtain-raiser earlier on Saturday, likely title challengers AS Roma produced a superb second-half performance in to thrash Udinese 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico after coach Luciano Spaletti left stalwarts Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi on the bench.

Substitute Diego Perotti converted two penalties before setting up another goal.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2016