Torino midfielder Paolo Zanetti is confident his team can improve on last season's Serie A showing as they prepare to start the new season against promoted Lecce on Sunday.
The Toro failed to impress last term and avoided relegation by just four points having won only eight matches all campaign.
"I think this team has what it takes to do well and I am sure we will do better than last year. This is our main objective this season," Zanetti told www.torinofc.it.
"Last term we drew a large number of games and, although we didn't lose many, we only managed to avoid the drop on the last day. We hope the music will be different this year.
"Lecce are a good side but I think we should be able to get a result. They have a good midfield and have some good technical players and it certainly won't be an easy game.
"However, we must not have any type of fear. Lecce will come to play their game and we must look to win at all costs."
Striker Rolando Bianchi is likely to start for Torino having joined from Manchester City and will be keen to rediscover the form he showed at Reggina.
He is expected to partner former Reggina team-mate Nicola Amoruso, who has also signed this summer.
Austrian midfielder Jurgen Saumel and defender Francesco Pratali will also make their debuts following moves from Sturm Graz and Empoli respectively.
Toro coach Gianni De Biasi will be without injured trio Ignazio Abate, Marco Pisano and Cesare Natali though.
Newly-promoted Lecce have not faced the Granata since the 2001/02 season when both meetings ended in 1-1 draws.
And striker Simone Tiribocchi has warned the Giallorossi are fired up for their return to the Serie A.
"We have all been waiting for this moment since July. I personally have been waiting as I left the Serie A to drop down a league and aid the project," he told www.uslecce.it.
"I made a gamble and succeeded in returning to the top flight. Now we must think of conserving our status in the highest division.
"In Turin we will find a really motivated team and it will be a tough game against a strong opponent. This year it is important to give the maximum in every game. We are among the teams that must fight to gain every point.
"Last season we were among the top sides but now we are a side fighting to avoid the drop. We mustn't make the mistake of thinking Sunday's game will be easy. In the Serie A you can't afford to make any kind of mistake," he warned.
Tiribocchi will lead the front line alongside new signing Daniele Cacia, who has joined Lecce from Piacenza.
Fabio Caserta has also made the move from Palermo to add experience to the midfield while Vitorino Antunes will start in defence following his summer switch from Roma.
Andrea Ardito is suspended while fellow midfielder Andrea Zanchetta is sidelined through injury.
