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Higuain gets winner for Juventus after record transfer

Allegri did not confirm if Gonzalo Higuain, the club’s record signing who joined from rivals Napoli in the close season for 90 million euros ($101.93 million), would start against Fiorentina, but said the Argentina striker’s physical condition was improving.

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It was the flawless start to the champions’ bid for a record sixth consecutive Italian title against opponents who finished fifth last season and are tipped to do better in this campaign.

Striker Dybala threatened again on the half-hour mark and it was no surprise when the home side took the lead through Khedira’s bullet header.

A header from former Blackburn player Nikola Kalinic had cancelled out Sami Khedira’s first-half opener.

Higuain, who was treated to a standing ovation in the Juventus Stadium, said he had been touched by the warmth of his welcome in Turin. “Hopefully I can repay this affection with goals and victories”.

The 28-year-old, who scored 36 league goals for Napoli last season, had been on for exactly eight minutes and 27 seconds when Khedira’s blocked shot spun across the Fiorentina goalmouth.

“I’m always confident, I just had to work”, he said.

Argentinian midfielder Perotti, a 56th-minute substitute for Stephan El Shaarawy, converted two spot-kicks in the space of 10 second-half minutes before striker Dzeko added a third in the 82nd minute, with Salah completing the scoring with his first league goal two minutes later.

Roma’s 4-0 thrashing of Udinese was overshadowed by the sight of highly-rated Greek centre-back Kostas Manolas limping off injured three days before the second leg of the club’s crunch Champions League qualifier against FC Porto.

Fiorentina finished fifth last season, and Juventus also face tough games against Lazio, Sassuolo and Inter Milan – who also finished in the top half of the table – after that.

Of the new arrivals, only Pjanic and Alves look certain to start on Saturday with Allegri expected to give Higuain more time to get in shape after he returned from his summer break looking distinctly overweight.

“I feel great with Roma”.

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Salah and Dzeko produced several early chances before a sparse crowd at the Stadio Olimpico.

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