Italy: Transfers no help; Juventus drops opener

MILAN (Reuters) -- Juventus lost 1-0 at Bari in their first game of the Serie A season on Sunday when their problems from last term were again exposed despite their big spending in the transfer window.

First-half substitute Massimo Donati blasted in with his left foot from outside the area two minutes before the break to seal a deserved victory for Bari, who could have scored more.

Juve, Italy's most successful domestic club who finished a dismal seventh last season, have already been in competitive action this term in Europa League qualifiers but new coach Luigi Del Neri watched on in horror as they struggled in all areas.

Injuries meant Juve gave a start to striker Fabio Quagliarella, who signed from Napoli only on Friday, as well as first-league debuts to six other new recruits including former Bari defender Leonardo Bonucci.

Serbia winger Milos Krasic, the new buy who Juve fans hope can be their Eastern European talisman like retired Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved, was substituted at halftime as the side failed to gel.

AC Milan host Lecce in Sunday's main programme of matches later (1845 GMT) with new recruit Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to watch from the stands as he is not yet eligible.

Last season's runners-up AS Roma drew 0-0 at home with promoted Cesena in their first league game of the campaign on Saturday.