Samp hold Mourinho's Inter in opener

Gennaro Delvecchio earned Sampdoria a 1-1 draw last night to deny new Inter coach Jose Mourinho a winning start in Serie A.

Midfielder Delvecchio tucked the ball away for the home team in the 68th minute after Daniele Franceschini headed Marco Padalino's cross into his path.

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

Striker Antonio Cassano wasted a good chance to put Sampdoria in front three minutes after Delvecchio's equaliser, his ball control letting him down 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.

Elsewhere, 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 good 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 Switzerland midfielder Gokhan Inler restored Udinese's two-goal cushion a minute later with a header from a corner.

Last year's runners-up Roma kick-off at home to Napoli this afternoon while Milan host Bologna and Juventus visit fierce rivals Fiorentina in the late kick-off.