Mourinho's 'super happy' start thwarted

Gennaro Delvecchio denied new Internazionale and former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho a winning start in Serie A on Saturday.

The midfielder tucked the ball away for the home team in the 68th minute after Daniele Franceschini headed Marco Padalino's cross into his path to earned Sampdoria a 1-1 draw.

Earlier, the Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Inter the lead in the 33rd minute when he chested the ball down and found the far corner of the net after a one-two with Brazilian midfielder Mancini.

Antonio Cassano wasted a good chance to put the home side in front three minutes after Delvecchio's equaliser, his ball control failing him when clean through on goal.

Inter keeper Julio Cesar then produced a fine save from a powerful Angelo Palombo shot in the closing stages.

Mourinho, who took charge of the champions after Roberto Mancini was sacked in the close season, had to play midfielder Esteban Cambiasso at centre-back because of an injury crisis.

"I'm not super happy because I'm super happy when I win and play well," Mourinho said. "But the team didn't play badly and they drew a really difficult match."

Antonio Di Natale scored twice as Udinese beat Palermo 3-1. The Italy forward curled the ball inside the far post in the ninth minute and showed skill to control a long pass from Gaetano D'Agostino and chip Palermo keeper Marco Amelia in the 34th.

Australian Mark Bresciano pulled one back for the visitors in the 69th but Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler restored Udinese's two-goal lead a minute later with a header from a corner.

Francesco Valiani scored a stunning goal as promoted Bologna beat Milan 2-1 at San Siro yesterday to spoil Ronaldinho's Serie A debut.

Valiani blasted the ball home from outside the box in the 79th minute after Massimo Ambrosini had cancelled out Marco Di Vaio's goal for Bologna in the first half. Milan brought on new signing Andriy Shevchenko in the second half, but the former Chelsea striker missed several chances.

Roma drew 1-1 with Napoli, who had defender Fabiano Santacroce sent off for a second yellow card in the 54th minute.