Kevin Prince Boateng is thankful that Serie A will finally kick off this weekend. “It has been a long summer.”

The championship failed to start in August after the Week 1 games were postponed due to strike action and the international break then caused a further delay.

“I can’t wait to start,” the versatile midfielder told Sky Sport Italia ahead of Friday’s opening game between his Rossoneri and Lazio.

“Pre-season was very long and all of us are anxious to start kicking the ball around on the field of play again.”

Milan will start this season as favourites after winning the Scudetto last term, but Boateng respects their rivals.

“There are some very interesting teams around,” continued the former Portsmouth man. “Juventus, Napoli and Lazio have all reinforced over the summer.

“However, we want to win everything and we’ll be totally focused on all of the competitions we appear in.”