Angel Di Maria made the perfect start to life in Serie A by inspiring his new club Juventus to victory on the opening weekend against Sassuolo, and became our first Serie A Player of Week for the 2022/23 season on Matchday 1.
The former Paris Saint-Germain attacker scored the opening goal at the Juventus Stadium on Monday night and assisted the last goal for Dusan Vlahovic, as the Bianconeri registered a comprehensive 3-0 win in Turin.
There was a slice of luck for the 34-year-old’s goal on 26 minutes. Meeting a deep cross to the back post from Alex Sandro on the volley, Di Maria hit the ball into the floor and watched it loop over Neroverdi goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.
After Vlahovic had doubled the Old Lady’s lead from the penalty spot two minutes before half-time, Di Maria could have scored his second and Juventus’ third just after the break, but placed a side-footed effort just past the post.
On 51 minutes, though, Di Maria intercepted a poor pass across the Sassuolo defensive line, controlled instantly, and slipped in the Serbian striker, who swept the ball home with his right foot to complete the scoring.
The South American’s match ended on a sour note, though, when substituted through injury on 66 minutes and looking set for a brief spell on the sidelines that will impact the Bianconeri’s early title challenge.
