Inter, Roma off to losing start in Calcio

Inter and Roma got off to a disappointing start of the new season on Sunday when they lost respectively to Palermo and Cagliari. Gian Piero Gasperini's spell as Inter coach began in worrying fashion as his side lost 4-3 to Palermo in a highly entertaining encounter in Sicily. Diego Milito scored twice, in the 36th and 51st minutes, to give Inter the lead, but their back three were particularly suspect throughout, and it was their lack of understanding that ensured the visitors were pegged back. Palermo strike pairing Fabrizio Miccoli and Abel Hernandez were the men who took full advantage of the Inter malaise to level the scores, before Miccoli and Mauricio Pinilla added stunning late strikes to complete a stunning victory. Diego Forlan marked his Inter debut with an injury time strike to pull his side back into things, but they could not find the goal needed to snatch a point, leaving Gasperini with real food for thought going into Wednesday's Champions League clash with Trabzonspor. Luis Enrique's reign as Roma coach started in the possibly worst way as Daniele Conti and El Kabir scored in the second half to give Cagliari a surprise 2-1 win in the capital. Daniele De Rossi's late goal proved no more than a consolation for the Spaniard. Juventus christened their new stadium and made a firm statement of intent with a comprehensive 4-1 Serie A victory over Parma. Andrea Pirlo produced a superb display in midfield for the Turin giants, and goals from Stephan Lichtsteiner, Simone Pepe, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio fired the hosts to a confident opening-day win. Francesco Guidolin's Udinese seem to have picked up from where they left off last season in domestic matters after recording a comfortable 2-0 victory at Lecce. Dusan Basta opened the scoring for the Zebrette in only the second minute, and they grabbed a second goal on 16 minutes through Antonio Di Natale. Fiorentina brushed aside Bologna 2-0, making a winning start to the new season. Manuel Pasqual's 20th minute cross from the left found Alberto Gilardino in the box, and he nodded past Jean-Francois Gillet to give his side the advantage. The victory was confirmed on 47 minutes, as Stevan Jovetic, on his return from injury, acutely played Alessio Cerci in in the area, and the wide man delivered the second goal for the hosts. In the other games of the day, Catania were held to a scoreless draw at home by Siena, Chievo drew 2-2 with Novara, Genoa drew 2-2 with Atalanta.