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Italy: Juventus have proud record to defend against Chievo [Fri Aug 26th, 2005]
Rome (Reuters) - Champions Juventus have a proud record to defend when they begin their Serie A title defence at home to Chievo Verona (kickoff 1830 GMT) on Sunday.
AC Milan begin the season with a visit to promoted Ascoli (1300), while Inter Milan play hosts to Treviso (1300), another club new to the top flight.
The game with Chievo looks like providing Juve coach Fabio Capello with an ideal beginning.
Juve have beaten Sunday's opponents in every Serie A match since Chievo arrived in the division in 2001.
Chievo finished last season one point above the relegation zone and there is little to suggest they will not struggle again this time round.
Juve are boosted by the arrival of former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, who will form a central midfield partnership with Brazilian international Emerson.
First-choice keeper Gianluigi Buffon is out after injuring his shoulder in last Saturday's Supercup defeat by Inter, but his replacement, Christian Abbiati, is also an Italian international.
FED UP
While Chievo's fans are probably fed up with losing to Juve, Ascoli's loyal supporters have been eagerly snapping up tickets for their first top-flight match in 13 years, so much so that there have been reports of fights breaking out in queues.
The game against Milan promises to be the first in a long battle for Serie A survival.
Milan are expected to start Italy striker Alberto Gilardino, their new signing, alongside Andriy Shevchenko up front.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti may use the game to experiment with a new, more attacking formation for Milan.
The system was tested in the close season and is based on a three-man defence that pushes former right-back Cafu into midfield alongside Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Marek Jankulovski.
Of the three leading title contenders, Inter will be under most pressure to start with a win.
Last season they drew 12 of their first 15 Serie A matches and were effectively out of the title race by Christmas.
Their successes in the Supercup and the Italian Cup, however, could provide a hint the club are ready to win the scudetto for the first time since 1989.
Inter have spent lavishly in the close season and former World Footballer of the Year Luis Figo is expected to make his debut against Treviso.
Another ex-Real Madrid player, Argentina defender Walter Samuel, is suspended but Italian international Marco Materazzi is ready to step in.
The season opens on Saturday when Livorno entertain Lecce (1600) and Sampdoria travel to Fiorentina (1830).
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