Serie A champions Juventus will be looking to get their title defence off to a good start when they take on Udinese on Sunday afternoon.
Juventus
Juventus managed to cruise to the title last season, finishing 17 points ahead of their closest rivals AS Roma and their quality has made them favourites to lift the title this time around too.
However, it is a very different looking side from that of last season, their defence is very much the same but the significant departures of the likes of Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tévez and Andrea Pirlo - who left for Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and New York City FC respectively.
Their exit has left big shoes to fill and it may take some time for the likes of Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic to get settled into the inner workings of Italian football, they will also face tough competition from both Milan sides; who've begun to emerge as potential challengers for the first time in a few years following financial issues limiting the quality of players they could sign.
Udinese
Udinese meanwhile, reached some dizzy heights in the 2012-13 campaign finishing in fifth place but since then they have established themselves as nothing more than a mid-table outfit.
Arguably harsh, but proven by the stats. Last season was very poor for them, as they finished just seven points above the relegation zone - which saw Andrea Stramaccioni replaced in the summer with Coluntuono who had spent the last five years at the helm of Atlanta.
The 52-year-old's aspirations will be to challenge for a European place but there won’t be much hope if their pre-season form is anything to go. Having lost to both Bastia and Granada, they finished off their pre-season campaign with a morale-boosting victory over Novarra in the opening round of the Coppa Italia this past weekend.
Head-to-head
Juve have an excellent recent record against their upcoming opponents with the Old Lady remaining undefeated in the last eight fixtures.
Team news
Paulo Dybala could be drafted in to partner Mandzukic up-front, having come off the substitutes' bench to score against Lazio a fortnight ago. New signing Alex Sandro may have to wait a bit longer for his debut after his move from FC Porto while Giorgio Chiellini and Khedira will absent through their respective injuries.
Ali Adnan, Edenilson and Ivan Piris are expected to make league debuts for Udinese, having featured last week in the Coppa Italia. Manuel Iturra could also start, but Coluntuono will face a tough decision whether to use Duvan Zapata and Marquinho from the off-set.
Juventus will host Udinese at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday, August 23 with kick-off at 5PM BST.