THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MILAN — Champion Inter Milan was held to a 1-1 draw at home by newly promoted Bari in its first match of the new season on Sunday.
Samuel Eto’o opened the scoring for Inter with his first goal for his new side when he slotted home a penalty on 56 minutes, before Vitali Kutuzov equalized with 15 minutes to go.
Jose Mourinho’s team was lackluster and struggled to break down an ultra-defensive Bari side.
Mario Balotelli came on midway through the first half to join Eto’o and Diego Milito in attack, whilst winger Ricardo Quaresma was brought on at halftime to provide further attacking options.
Despite the changes Inter was unable to create any clear chances.
“We knew that the first game is always tough, especially against a newly promoted team,” Inter midfielder Thiago Motta said. “We knew they would cause us problems and put us under pressure.
“In the second half we started well and had a number of chances to score. We messed them up and we missed some good chances.”
Weak efforts from Eto’o, Milito, Maicon and Motta were the best Inter produced in the first half, whilst Kutuzov had the best chance for Bari, but stepped on the ball when through on goal.
Leonardo Bonucci’s foul on Diego Milito gave Eto’o the chance to open the scoring and the Cameroon international obliged from the penalty spot.
The ex-Barcelona striker should have doubled the lead after Milito released him in the penalty area, but with the goal at his mercy Eto’o shot wide.
On 74 minutes Kutuzov made up for his miss earlier in the game. Antonio Langella raced down the left wing, cut the ball back and Kutuzov bundled the ball past Julio Cesar.
Later on Sunday it’s: Catania vs. Sampdoria, Genoa vs. AS Roma; Juventus vs. Chievo Verona; Lazio vs. Atalanta; Livorno vs. Cagliari; Palermo vs. Napoli and Udinese vs. Parma.