MILAN (AP) — Roma forward Paulo Dybala returned to Juventus and helped equalize as Jose Mourinho’s side lost a perfect start to Serie A on Saturday.
Dušan Vlahović scored just 76 seconds later and Juventus seemed to have the game firmly in control until Tammy Abraham’s equaliser in the 69th minute.
The 1-1 draw marked the first time Roma dropped points after two wins to start the season. Napoli, who play in Fiorentina on Sunday, are the only team in Serie A with a perfect record.
This is Dybala’s emotional comebackhe cried in his last home game for Juventus in May.
Dybala spent seven years at Juventus, scoring 115 goals and helping the Bianconeri to 12 trophies, including five Serie A titles.
But after Juventus signed Vlahovic in January, the often injured Argentine striker fell out of favour under head coach Massimiliano Allegri. After his contract expired, he left the Turin club and joined Roma in July.
Juventus fans applauded Dybala as he read his name during the warm-up match, and they begged him to wave to them before kick-off, which he did. He was also greeted with applause when he was substituted in the 77th minute. He is still looking for his first target for his new club.
Juventus were looking for a reaction after a lacklustre 0-0 win at Sampdoria on Monday, when Vlahovic curled a free-kick from under the crossbar and into the top near corner on his first touch. got a reaction.
The Bianconeri dominated the next 15 minutes and forced two fine saves from Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
They thought they had doubled their lead on the 26th but Manuel Locatelli’s goal was ruled out due to Vlahovic’s handball.
Vlahovic also had a chance to double his score with two free-kicks close to him shortly before half-time, but one attempt was saved and the other nearly flew over the bar.
Roma finally got into the game in the second half and levelled when Dybala acrobatic volleyed a corner through the goal for Abraham to head into the centre of the goal.
The visitors almost snatched a late winner after another corner, but Juventus new signing Arcadius Milik put the shot clear.
still searching
Cremonese lost 2-1 at home to Torino, leaving it still looking for the first point of its first season back in the top flight since 1996.
When it heads to Inter, it’s unlikely to find much fun in the next game.
Defending Serie A champions AC Milan host Bologna on Saturday night.
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