Serie A kicks off today, with former European champions AC Milan facing searching questions over the potency of their armory and depth of their creativity following the loss of Brazilian superstar Kaka to Real Madrid.
Milan, as well as champions Inter and fellow powerhouses Juventus, begin their campaigns with relatively gentle openers this weekend before facing their first big challenges in only the second week of the season.
The two Milans will clash in their city derby, while Juventus will travel to the capital to tackle AS Roma, only sixth last season, but the runners-up from the previous three campaigns.
First, however, there are some potential banana skins to negotiate and most eyes will be on Milan following their torrid summer.
The seven-time European champions lost Kaka to Real Madrid and have failed to replace him with anyone even approaching the Brazilian’s quality.
Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, while a regular goalscorer, is not a direct replacement.
Added to the departures of Paolo Maldini (retirement) and David Beckham (end of his loan spell), Milan are looking decidedly weaker coming into this campaign and a tricky trip to minnows Siena will provide a distinct test of their championship credentials.
If they put the Tuscans to the sword it would be a huge boost to their fragile morale.
Pre-season has suggested they face major problems, however, as Milan have lost eight out of 11 matches ahead of the new season, with their only victories coming on penalties and against lower league opposition.
They even drew with Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy and lost clashes against credible opponents such as Inter, Juve, Chelsea, Club America and Boca Juniors.
In the close season they did little to address the problems of an ageing squad and once again will be reliant on veterans such as Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini in midfield.
At the back they will be hoping a season on the treatment table has not adversely affected Alessandro Nesta.
A lot will be expected of Ronaldinho this season and if he cannot unlock defenses such as Siena’s then there won’t be much hope of him being the hero a week later against Inter.
The champions begin tomorrow at home to newly promoted Bari and despite the loss of their best player from last season — Zlatan Ibrahimovic — will be expected to carry on from where they left off.
Jose Mourinho’s side are favorites to secure a fifth straight scudetto, not least because they have added well in the close season.
Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito will bring potency to their front line, while Thiago Motta gives them options in midfield and Lucio is the commanding, ball-playing centerback they lacked last term.
They are also expected to sign Real Madrid’s Wesley Sneijder soon and if anything will be even stronger this season.
Juve host plucky Chievo in their opening game and all eyes will be on Brazilian playmaker Diego to see what kind of an impact he will have on the team since his arrival from Werder Bremen.
Roma begin with a trip to Genoa and it will be interesting to see if last season was merely a blip for the capital-based team.
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