The Corriere dello Sport is suggesting that next season’s Serie A could kick off on August 19 or August 22.

The footballing authorities are considering an earlier start than usual in an effort to give Italian clubs a better chance in European competitions.

Italian sides generally struggle in Europe at the start of the campaign because championships in other countries get a head start.

If Serie A kicks off on Wednesday 22 August, it will be the first time that the Italian top flight will have commenced in midweek.

This season’s Serie A should have begun on August 28, but Week 1 was postponed so the championship didn’t get underway until the second week in September.