European leagues: Juventus kicks off Serie A with victory

ROME— Captain Giorgio Chiellini scored early as Juventus won 1-0 at Parma to kick off its bid for a record-extending ninth straight Serie A title in the league opener Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed in the first half by the VAR due to an almost imperceptible offside call.

While Ronaldo missed wide and over on several occasions in the first half, he also placed a powerful, long-range blast on goal near the hour mark that required a difficult save from Parma goalkeeper Luigi Sepe.

Juventus keeper Wojciech Szczesny also produced a tough save early on to deny Roberto Inglese after a counterattack.

As expected, former Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon remained on the bench after returning from one season at Paris Saint-Germain.

SPAIN: Real Madrid conceded a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Valladolid in James Rodriguez’s return to the Spanish league on Saturday.

Karim Benzema gave Madrid the lead in the 82nd minute but Sergi Guardiola spoiled its home opener with an 88thminute goal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Still without the injured Eden Hazard, Rodriguez was Madrid’s main attraction in a match that marked the playmaker’s return to action with the club, more than two years after joining Bayern Munich on loan.

Barcelona, meanwhile, left Lionel Messi out of the lineup that will face Real Betis Sunday. Messi had returned to training this week after recovering from a right calf injury picked up in the pre-season. He missed the team’s 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the league opener last weekend.