Champions Juve begin with trip to Samp

29 July 2013 19:01

Champions Juventus will begin the defence of their Serie A title with a trip to Sampdoria on the opening day of the 2013/14 season, following Monday's fixtures draw.

That same weekend of August 25 will see AC Milan travel to newly-promoted Verona with fellow Champions League qualifiers Napoli hosting Bologna.

Serie A new boys Sassuolo travel to Torino while another newly-promoted club, Livorno, host Roma.

Juve face a tough start to their defence as the second week they entertain Lazio before heading to Inter Milan for their third match.

The first Milan derby of the season will not take place until just before Christmas while the first Rome derby, between Roma and Lazio, takes place in the fourth round of matches and the first Turin derby, between Torino and Juve, in the sixth.

Inter will face a nightmare run-in with matches against Napoli, Milan and Lazio among their final four fixtures.

Juventus, who are bidding for a third straight scudetto, end with a trip to Cagliari while Napoli will be at Verona and Milan at Sassuolo.

Verona's promotion means there will be derbies in five cities this season. Sampdoria will host Genoa in the third week with Chievo travelling to Verona in the 13th week.

Week one fixtures (August 25):

Cagliari v Atalanta, Fiorentina v Catania, Verona v AC Milan, Inter Milan v Genoa, Lazio v Udinese, Livorno v Roma, Napoli v Bologna, Parma v Chievo, Sampdoria v Juventus, Torino v Sassuolo

Source: AFP