Nicolas Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners fire Juventus past Parma

Juventus maintained their perfect start to the Serie A campaign with a 2-0 win over Parma, as second-half substitutes Nicolas Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners finally broke through a stubborn visiting defence at Allianz Stadium.

Luciano Spalletti’s side had been frustrated by Parma’s compact shape during a goalless first half, but Gonzalez made the breakthrough shortly after coming on for Jonathan David. Koopmeiners then completed the victory with his first appearance of the season, having been introduced as a replacement for the injured Andrea Cambiaso.

The result gives Juventus a second successive league victory, while Parma have now failed to score in two consecutive matches.

Juventus started aggressively, with Manuel Locatelli and Douglas Luiz controlling possession in midfield. Francisco Conceicao was a constant threat from the right, where his direct running repeatedly unsettled Parma’s defence.

Douglas Luiz came close in the 27th minute when his effort went narrowly wide of the post. Six minutes later, Conceicao struck the outside of the upright with a powerful shot.

Parma had created the first two notable openings of the match. Christian Ordonez was unable to take advantage of a chance in the 13th minute, before El Bilal Toure delivered a dangerous cross towards Simone Lontani two minutes later. However, nobody was able to turn it towards goal.

Juventus nearly went ahead just before the interval. Locatelli and Randal Kolo Muani combined to create an opportunity for Jonathan David in the second minute of added time, but Parma’s defenders blocked his attempt and the teams went into the break level.

The home side returned with greater urgency after half-time. Kolo Muani missed two chances in the 56th minute, prompting Spalletti to make his first attacking change a minute later by sending on Gonzalez for David.

The substitute quickly made an impact. His first effort, in the 61st minute, slipped wide of the goal, but he opened the scoring moments later. An initial attempt struck the post, and Gonzalez reacted quickest to send the rebound into the net after it took a deflection on its way through.

Juventus continued to press for a second goal. Kolo Muani was denied in the 70th minute when Parma goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi produced an excellent save to stop him in a one-on-one situation.

Parma offered little in response. Juventus goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was rarely tested, while the visitors had sent only nine balls into the home side’s penalty area by the 72nd minute.

Spalletti was forced into a late change in the 86th minute when Cambiaso went off injured and Koopmeiners came on. The Netherlands midfielder needed only two minutes to make his mark.

Kolo Muani began the move by finding Locatelli, who laid the ball off to Koopmeiners on the left side of the penalty area. The midfielder then produced a precise left-footed finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 in the 88th minute.

Parma attempted to reduce the deficit in the closing stages but failed to create a clear opportunity. Abdessalam Konate was booked in the third minute of added time for a challenge on Kolo Muani, before Juventus completed a comfortable victory.