Inter Milan could only manage a 0-0 draw with Bologna in their Serie A opener on Monday.
Slow start for defending champions in bore draw
Rafa Benitez's disappointing start to life as Inter Milan manager continued as his side could only manage a 0-0 draw with Bologna in their Serie A opener.
The champions were forced to wait until Monday to open up the defence of their title after taking part in Friday's UEFA Super Cup with Atletico Madrid.
The Nerazzurri went down 2-0 to the Spaniards and were once again unable to get on the scoresheet as managerless Bologna frustrated their opponents.
Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano was the star of the show as he pulled off a string of fine second-half saves, including one with his head.
The pick of the bunch came on 73 minutes when Viviano made a stunning one-handed stop to keep out a well-struck Wesley Sneijder free-kick.
Inter were gifted a generous six minutes of stoppage time but Benitez's troops could find no breakthrough and can only look upwards at their bitter rivals AC Milan, who top the Serie A table after week one.