Juventus, with 27 league titles to their name, go into the weekend level with Genoa and Udinese after two wins and a draw from an impressive opening three matches.
After struggling since the Calciopoli corruption scandal in 2006 when they were demoted to Serie B, the new-look Juve have been galvanised this term by their new stadium - the first to be privately owned by an Italian club - and a work ethic reintroduced by coach and former player Antonio Conte.
"I'm happy with what the boys have shown in these first three games," Conte told reporters after Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Bologna. "This team has spirit - we don't drop our heads when things go against us."
"We've let slip two points but we've also been unlucky," said Conte, who may now pair up Alessandro Matri and the fit-again Fabio Quagliarella, who scored twice in Juve's 3-1 win in Sicily last season.
"There's a lot of work ahead but we're on the right road. When I preach humility and ask for time before judging, I refer to everyone."
"Playing Juve right now is not ideal," Montella, whose side's only goal this term came from a Maxi Lopez penalty, told Italy's Sky Sport channel. "We're playing at home so we don't want to lose, but we need to improve on the road."
Inter Milan, already six points behind Juve, travel to Bologna in Saturday's early match with veteran coach Claudio Ranieri in charge after Gian Piero Gasperini was axed after Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Serie A new boys Novara.
Gasperini, who had led out the Nerazzurri in three league matches and five matches in all, became Serie A's third coaching casualty of the season.
Napoli, whose much smaller squad were put to the test after coach Walter Mazzarri rested a number of first-teamers in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Chievo Verona, could go top for a day if they defeat Fiorentina at the San Paolo on Saturday.
