Italian double winners Juventus claimed their third Super Cup title in four seasons as new signings Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala struck in the second half to secure their 2-0 win over Lazio in Shanghai on Saturday.
As Juve won both the Serie A and Coppa Italia titles last season, their opponents for this match were cup runners-up Lazio in what was a repeat of the 2013 Super Cup.
Juve beat Lazio 4-0 in that match and they were again too good for their Roman opponents on Saturday, although they had to wait until the 69th minute to get their noses in front at the Shanghai Stadium.
After a barren first half in the Serie A curtain-raiser at the Shanghai Stadium, Juventus stepped up the attack after the break and were rewarded with Mandzukic and Dybala striking in the space of five minutes.
Lazio were the better team in the first half, but Juventus created the first opportunity when Paul Pogba headed wide.
Early in the second, Mandzukic missed a one-on-one chance, while Pogba was just off target.
Manduzkic, who joined Juventus from Atletico Madrid in June, scored on the hour when he rose to meet a perfect cross from Stefano Sturaro.
The Croatian created the second goal, too, darting down the right before clipping a cross that Pogba brought down and Dybala crashed into the roof of the net.
“It’s my first game with Juventus, scoring and winning has made it an unforgettable one,” said Dybala, 21, who joined Juventus in June from Palermo.
Juve begin the defence of their Serie A title at home to Udinese next Sunday, while Lazio host Bologna next Saturday.
Lazio coach Stefano Pioli said the best team won.
“The only thing that counted today was the result,” he said. “It was a balanced game in difficult conditions. Compliments to Juventus, a very strong team who deserved to win the Super Cup, but I believe this season we can do great things.”
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