Juventus' 2022/23 pre-season campaign started in ideal fashion during the early hours of Saturday morning UK time.The Bianconeri took on CD Guadalajara in the sweltering Las Vegas heat and came away with a 2-0 victory.Striker Cosimo Marco Da Graca opened the scoring in just the 10th minute of play, before Mattia Compagnon secured victory in the 80th with a slick finish inside the penalty area.Both Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria made their debuts against Guadalajara, with the two new arrivals - who were each signed on free transfers - giving fairly good accounts of themselves.Pogba and Manuel Locatelli's midfield partnership looks like it could be a lethal one in 2022/23, while Di Maria was bright coming off the right flank and linking up with the other forward players.But there was one slight downside to his Juventus debut for the experienced Argentine winger.
Jul 22, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Juventus forward Angel Di Maria (22) kicks the ball during a game against Chivas de Guadalajara at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsAt one point in the match, Di Maria was absolutely clattered by the referee and left in a crumpled heap on the turf.The match was hosted at the Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, so the official clearly thought some NFL-style reaction was required...
Video: Di Maria taken out by referee on Juventus debut
Ouch. Of course, it was clearly an accident, but that doesn't mean it wasn't still a sore one for poor ol' Di Maria.
Fortunately, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star was able to continue playing after the incident and he finished the first half.
How did Di Maria perform on debut?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 22: Angel Di MarÃa #22 of Juventus dribbles the ball up the pitch under pressure from Pável Pérez #6 of Chivas during their preseason friendly match at Allegiant Stadium on July 22, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
As we previously touched on, Di Maria looked very bright in his first match wearing Juventus colours.
The left-footed flyer looks as if he'll be a real asset to the Turin-based outfit in 2022/23 and may help bring the best out of Dusan Vlahovic.
Check out Di Maria's individual highlights from his 45 minute display against Guadalajara...
Video: Di Maria's highlights vs Guadalajara
When Federico Chiesa finally returns from the serious knee injury that sidelined him for most of last season, Juventus are going to be a serious force.
A front three made up of Italy's rising star, Di Maria and Vlahovic is right up there with the best around in the present day.
Then you have the likes of Pogba, Locatelli and Denis Zakaria feeding them from midfield, while Juventus' defence has also been strengthened enormously for 2022/23 by the arrival of Gelson Bremer from Torino.
Serie A teams, beware of Allegri's side...