Although the season is only two weeks old it has been great to witness the return of Juventus as a major force in Italian football. With the two Milan sides monopolising lo scudetto for the past few seasons it is refreshing and necessary for one of the other big sides to step up and apply more pressure.

It is a season of new beginnings for the Old Lady of Italian football.

Firstly, there is a new coach in charge of the team; Antonio Conte. After coaching a couple of smaller sides it is Conte’s first ‘big job’and one that means a great deal for him personally. He has gone down as one of the most decorated players in the club’s history; thanks to exploits during the 1990s.

Secondly their new stadium is ready and now ranks amongst the most impressive in Italy. Modelled on English stadia the ground has no running track like the Stadio delle Alpi which means the fans are closer to the action and makes for a phenomenal atmosphere. It is a serious concern in Italy where the majority of the stadiums are old and decrepit after being built for the World Cup in 1990 and with the club owning their own stadium, they have become one of Italy’s must affluent clubs which has been demonstrated in the transfer window this summer.

The club brought in nine players this summer with a total outlay of just under €70 million. It ranks them alongside the biggest spenders in Europe. Amongst the players they have brought in is Andrea Pirlo; former AC Milan playmaker and World Cup winner in 2006. This was one of the coups of the window and has enabled Conte to deploy Pirlo in midfield where he can orchestrate the sides play. In the opening two victories he has already contributed two assists.

Conte has also wasted no time in adding to the attacking talent the club already possessed. Alessandro Del Piero is still at the club and is the all-time leading scorer for the Old Lady. When you add Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella and Mirko Vucinic you see the beginnings of a side who will certainly challenge for domestic honours this season, especially without the distraction of European football. In defence the club also strengthened the existing back line that already boasted Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Grosso by bringing in Stephan Lichtsteiner and Marco Motta who will certainly give them more options. Indeed the marauding Swiss right back Stephan Lichtsteiner scored in the opening game to mark a very impressive home debut.

One player particularly catching the eye is Milos Krasic. The Serbian international is embarking on his second season at Juve and much is expected of the 26 year-old. He is a wonderful dribbler of the ball and is blessed with marvellous technical ability which enables him to beat opposing full-backs at ease. He has not started either of the opening two games and is under pressure after the club bought Eljero Elia this summer. However, competition for places is exactly what Conte wanted and will enable the team to improve.

After a disastrous few years it is great to see Italian football on an upward spiral and in particular it is pleasing to see the return of the Juventus. In order to improve the league as a whole they need more competition and this side is certainly capable of providing it. It maybe early days in the season but knowing Conte from his playing days they will battle until the very end. It looks set to be a fascinating season.