Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, was not in the starting eleven when Juventus visited Udinese for the Serie A premiere with a black and white touch.
According to the transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, it was because he himself asked to be benched as he wants to "find a solution in the market".
Juventus vice-president Pavel Nedved quickly went out and toned down all the relocation rumors.
- I can without a doubt confirm that he will stay this season.
Sensational stories should not be invented, Nedved tells DAZN.
Dybala glittered
Without Ronaldo, and without a Dejan Kulusevski who also sat on the bench, Juventus could get off to a flying start.
Paulo Dybala was responsible for a goal and an assist, the latter to a rushing Juan Cuadrado who slammed in 2-0 in the far corner.
Ronaldo jumped in early in the second, just like Kulusevski, but none of the offensive pieces entered the goal record.
Goalkeeper board
Instead, Udinese caught up, much thanks to the opposing goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who had a lousy day at work.
First, he caused the penalty that Roberto Pereyra sent in.
Then he was careless and served Gerard Deuloufeu to an open goal and 2-2.
In extra time, Ronaldo nodded in 3-2, celebrated - and laughed at the referee's decision when he ruled out the goal for offside via VAR.
2-2 means a miscalculation for Juventus, who after nine straight league titles got to see Inter win the "scudetton" last season.