Inter, Bologna draw in Serie A

Inter Milan were held to a 0-0 draw in their opening game of their Serie A title defence against Bologna at the Stadio Dall'Ara on Monday.

The Nerrazzuri could not find a way to goal in Rafa Benitez's first league game in charge despite having 22 shots - seven on target - and the majority of the possession.

The closest the European champions came to scoring was when striker Samuel Eto'o hit the cross bar late on from a Coutinho cross.

But luck fell the way of the home side as they nabbed a point under interim coach Paolo Magnani, who stepped in for the sacked Franco Colomba less than 24 hours prior to kick off.

It was almost a dream start to Magnani's first senior game in charge in the league when a lack of communication between Inter's Lucio and goalkeeper Julio Cesar allowed Henry Gimenez a shot on goal, but he lifted the ball above the crossbar with the empty net at his mercy.

Bologna continued to pepper the goals and Daniele Portanova went close with a 20th-minute header, which Cesar handled with ease.

The entrance of Brazilian Coutinho to the game midway through the second half breathed life to the contest and Inter's chances of scoring, and Dutch international Wesley Sneijder forced a save from Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano from a free-kick in the 73rd minute.

Eto'o had a great chance to break the deadlock in the 76th minute, but he took too long to fire a shot.

When he eventually got the strike on target, Miguel Britos was back to clear the danger for the hosts.

It was not the start Benitez wanted for his reign at the club, already leaving him two points behind rivals AC Milan and compounding the UEFA Super Cup loss to Atletico Madrid midweek.