Palermo coach Stefano Colantuono is delighted to be facing Roma in the opening round of the new season.

"Sooner or later you have to play everyone," reasoned new boss Colantuono.

"It's good to start with Roma because it will alllow us to keep our focus, and it's always nice to kick-off against a prestigious side like Luciano Spalletti's."

President Maurizio Zamparini also seemed unfazed by the difficulty of his side's curtain-raiser.

"I'm delighted to start off with Roma and it would have been just as good to begin with Inter," he boomed.

"However, the game I'm looking forward to most is Fiorentina as they are our biggest rivals."