Serie A fixtures released

Local rivals Inter Milan and AC Milan will not meet in the Serie A until 2012, after the league released its official fixture on Wednesday.

The two clubs battled during the 2010-11 season for the Scudetto – eventually claimed by AC Milan, six points clear of Inter – but they will not resume head-to-head hostilities until January 15.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men will kick off their title defence away to Cagliari – a fixture in which they were successful 1-0 last campaign.

Inter will be led by new manager Gian Piero Gasperini for the first time in the Italian top flight, when they host Lecce in their season opener.

Napoli – who qualified for the Champions League group stages with a third-placed finish in Serie A last term – open their season at home to Genoa.

Local rivals Lazio and Roma will clash in October, before the return fixture in March.

October will be a tough month for Italian giants Juventus, with four of their five matches against top-10 sides from last season (AC Milan, Inter Milan, Genoa, Fiorentina).

Juve also have a tricky start to the campaign with an away trip to Udinese.

Udinese – managed by Francesco Guidolin – are the fourth Italian side involved in Champions League action, and will enter the illustrious tournament in the play-off round.

The Serie A season kicks off on August 28.