Milan pair eyeing end to Juve ascendancy

MILAN - Juventus' Serie A season starts this weekend on the back of an apology from striker Gonzalo Higuain and ominous warnings from coach Massimiliano Allegri as it faces a potentially tougher title defense this time around.

"We're not in top form yet but we have to be ready because the new championship is about to start and we can't afford to make any more slip-ups," Allegri said following a 3-2 loss to Lazio in the Italian Super Cup final.

Barely three months after a chastening 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final capped a third consecutive domestic double, Juventus hosts Cagliari in an opening clash hoping it will lead it to a record-stretching seventh straight scudetto.