Juventus were off to a promising start this season as last month, they lifted their seventh Italian Super Cup at the expense of misfiring Lazio 2-0 in Shanghai, China.

However, things took a different twist in the Serie A as the defending champions were beaten by modest Udinese 0-1 at their own Juventus Stadium before losing to Roma by the odd goal in three.

The defeat against Udinese was particularly shocking as the Friulani have suffered three straight defeats against Palermo (0-1), Lazio (0-2) and Empoli (1-2), before last night’s match against Milan.

On the other hand, the defeat against Roma was less unexpected, given their opponents’ pedigree, but there again, Juventus’s performance was far from impressive.

The defeat at the Olimpico was followed by a colourless 1-1 home draw with Chievo that left Juventus with no wins from their opening three league games.

Here, many argued that the notable departures of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez would hinder Juve’s prospects in no small way this season.

But whoever thought that Juventus were down and out is probably having second thoughts as in their last two games Juventus have registered back-to-back away wins against Man. City and Genoa to make a bold statement of intent that they are back in business.

As things stand in the Serie A, leaders Inter are the only side with a 100 per cent winning record after four games.

Juventus may be far behind with just four points to their credit but if their resurgence of late is anything to go by, then it seems that in the coming weeks the Bianconeri may well bridge the gap with early pace-setters Inter.

Tonight Juventus have a perfect opportunity to continue their revival when they host bottom side Frosinone.

The Serie A newcomers are the only side without a point after four games.

Juventus will then head for another arduous test when they visit back-to-form Napoli this weekend before hosting Europa League holders Sevilla on September 30 in a crunching Champions League Group D fixture.

A winnable home fixture against Bologna represents another opportunity for Juventus to move up the ladder before the international break.

When the Serie A resumes in mid-October, Juventus will travel to early pace-setters Inter in what promises to be a mouthwatering fixture that will shed more light on Juve’s prospects.

It was to be expected that Juventus would have a bumpy period of transition until their new signings settle in.

Pirlo, Vidal and Tevez were not just star players but actually three pillars on whom Allegri and his predecessor Antonio Conte had built most of Juve’s successes in the past four years.

Juve’s come-from-behind win at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City was particularly sweet.

It not only put Juve in pole position to qualify for the first knock-out stages of the Champions League, but the way it was achieved suggested that Juventus are recovering their form.

It further implied that in the past weeks, it was too premature to write off Juve’s chances because they had collected just one point from the first available nine.

There is little doubt that Juventus will be among the main protagonists in this season’s title race.

Unlike past seasons, when they dominated the Serie A from start to finish, this time Juve must come from behind but they seem to have what it takes to recover the 10- point deficit on Inter and go on and win their fifth straight title.

First final

Even in UEFA’s flagship competition, Juventus might still have their say.

A slow start in last year’s campaign ended in crescendo as the Bianconeri reached their first Champions League final since 2003 even though they were not rated amongst the best teams in Europe.

Even this year, Juventus are not among the hot favourites to reach the May 28 final at the San Siro Stadium.

But the fact that the final will be played on Italian soil is a further incentive for them to try and their third European Cup.

These are indeed early days to assess properly Juve’s prospects this season.

But the convincing manner with which Juventus beat Manchester City and Genoa on the road are clear signs that they are truly on the road of recovery.