Juventus defender Medhi Benatia has warned his new team-mates against complacency as they attempt to continue their domination of Serie A.
The Turin club start the new season at home to bitter rivals Fiorentina on Saturday evening aiming for a sixth-successive title.
Benatia, signed on loan from Bayern Munich during the summer, is one of a number of players brought in to strengthen Massimiliano Allegri's side, along with record signing Gonzalo Higuain, playmaker Miralem Pjanic and former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves.
The Morocco international, who has previous Serie A experience with Udinese and Roma, told Juventus' official website: "We've worked hard and prepared thoroughly. The summer is the perfect time to lay the foundations for the season ahead.
"We're happy to be kicking off the campaign this weekend. Expectations are high and, while it may seem on the outside that success will be a formality, we can't and won't be taking anything for granted.
"Whoever joins Juventus has to take on board the fact that this side has a responsibility to win. I came for here for that reason. We want to keep the silverware coming, even if we know it won't be easy with stiff competition among our opponents. Our main objective is that of claiming a sixth Scudetto, which would see us rewrite the history books."
Roma kick off the opening-weekend fixtures, playing host to Udinese in Saturday's other game.
Striker Edin Dzeko believes the standard in Serie A will be higher this year and wants the Giallorossi to start with victory in the Stadio Olimpico as they look to better last season's third-place finish.
"It's always good to win the first game, especially if you are playing at home," Dzeko told Roma's official website.
"If you want to reach big targets you have to win your home games, so it's an important game.
"I think all the teams are better this season, because they have bought some new players. But I think we are strong also and we want to start the first game with a win and that's the only thing that counts at the moment."
Arkadiusz Milik could lead the line for last season's runners-up Napoli on Sunday when they travel to promoted Pescara.
The Poland international, signed from Ajax, has big boots to fill following the departure of 36-goal striker Higuain to title-rivals Juve.
Both Milan sides will also hope to start with positive results as they begin life under new coaches. Frank de Boer takes Inter to Chievo and could hand debuts to the likes of Ever Banega and Antonio Candreva, while Vincenzo Montella's Rossoneri welcome Torino to the San Siro.
Milan's Colombian striker Carlos Bacca is targeting a European place following a disappointing seventh-place finish last season.
"Having the chance to play in Europe is very important for me, and that's one of the reasons I thought of leaving AC Milan for a team that played in the Champions League," he told acmilan.com.
"My dream is to play in Europe with the red and black jersey."
Elsewhere on Sunday, Genoa host promoted Cagliari, last season's surprise package Sassuolo are in Sicily to face Palermo, Sampdoria travel to Empoli, Bologna take on Serie A new boys Crotone and Atalanta play Lazio.
Source: PA-WIRE
