Prandelli tips Juve to defend Scudetto

Posted Tuesday, August 20, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes that Juventus will be front runners to finish first in the Serie A this season after improving their squad over the summer.

Juve sealed their second straight title under Antonio Conte last season nine points ahead of second-placed Napoli. With new signings like Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente to boost their attack, Prandeli believes that it will be tough to dislodge the Bianconeri from the top of the league.

"For the championship, Juventus are always the number one favourite," the 55-year-old told SkyItalia.

"After what Conte has done in the past two years, there have been further reinforcements to the squad and it will be difficult to remove them from the top of Serie A."

Prandelli admitted that he was impressed by Napoli and Fiorentina's signings. Rafa Benitez added the likes of Jose Callejon, Raul Albiol, Gonzalo Higuain, Dries Mertens, Pablo Armero and Pepe Reina to the Napoli side while Fiorentina signed Josip Ilicic, Mario Gomez, Massimo Ambrosini and Joaquin.

"Napoli and Fiorentina are making the fans dream. They have done the best in the transfer market." added Prandelli.