Sinisa Mihajlovic... difficult start to new Serie A campaign.

Sinisa Mihajlovic told reporters he was surprised to be starting his first Serie A campaign as Torino coach against former club Milan at the San Siro following the 2016-17 league draws held on Friday evening.

Mihajlovic’s stint on the Milan hot seat did not last long as he was fired by the club in April after a series of poor results.

Former club midfielder Cristian Brocchi filled in for the rest of the season with Vincenzo Montella appointed new coach this summer.

The first matches of the new Serie A season will be played on the weekend of August 20-21.

“We start against Milan… it’s a very important fixture for us,” Mihajlovic said.

“I was rather surprised that we’re playing at the San Siro as I thought our first game would be at home, seeing as Torino played the opener away last year as well.

“It’s always difficult in July to comment on the fixture list, we just have to take it one game at a time. After the fifth round we have a series of tough games, which means we’ve got to start strong.”

The draw also meant a challenging start for Montella in particular as the Rossoneri travel to scudetto contenders Napoli on Match-Day Two before away clashes against his former clubs Sampdoria (Match-Day Four) and Fiorentina (Match-Day Six).

“It’s a difficult start to the season with some very exciting matches,” Montella said.

“First, we must play Mihajlovic’s team and then we go to my former sides in Genoa and Fiorentina.”

Montella is tasked with leading Milan to a high placing in Serie A after the last campaign’s disappointing seventh place which meant no European competition this season.

Milan rivals Inter will be playing in the Europa League this year and coach Roberto Mancini is urging his team to stay sharp and focused the entire season.

“Nowadays you cannot take any game for granted, especially in Serie A,” Mancini said.

“This year, compared to the last, we’ll also be facing the Europa League commitments and that means playing on Thursdays.

“In the same year as Euro 2016 and the Copa America, all the big teams will have to gradually introduce the players who took part in those competitions.

“In any case, we have been working hard since the start of July now to ensure we are ready and will continue to play friendly matches to reach the levels we want.”

Crotone reunion

Genoa coach Ivan Juric said he was excited to be leading his new team against newcomers Crotone on Match-Day Two after helping them to an historic promotion.

“I am very happy to be seeing Crotone again very soon, but it is disappointing that the match will be played in Pescara,” he said.

“I was hoping to see many old friends again in Calabria.”

Crotone have to play at Pescara’s Stadio Adriatico at first because their stadium is undergoing restructuring work.