Juve opens defense in style

MILAN - Goals from Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain handed Juventus a 3-0 win over Cagliari on Saturday, as the Italian champion overcame a video assistant referee (VAR) penalty decision to open its Serie A campaign in commanding fashion.

Juventus, which sealed a record sixth straight Serie A title last season but lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid, takes a familiar spot at the top of the fledgling standings.

Napoli also enjoyed a positive start with a comfortable 3-1 win at promoted Verona, where Arkadiusz Milik repaid Maurizio Sarri for a first start of the season with Napoli's second.