Serie A wrap: Inter, Roma remain winless

Inter Milan and Roma are still without a victory this season after playing out a goalless draw in Serie A on Saturday.

Both teams came into the heavyweight clash at the San Siro looking to arrest their disappointing start to the campaign.

Under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Inter lost the Super Cup to AC Milan and went down on the opening day of the league season at Palermo.

That reverse was followed by a 1-0 loss at home to Trabzonspor in the Champions League.

Roma meanwhile, under the guidance of new manager Luis Enrique, bowed out of the Europa League to Slovan Bratislava and lost at home to Cagliari last week.

And both managers remain under pressure after neither side proved capable of finding the breakthrough in a limp encounter.

Roma’s Dani Osvaldo had the first sight of goal for either team 11 minutes into the match.

The striker was played into the box after a great ball from Daniele De Rossi, but Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar was there to turn away Osvaldo’s low drive.

Roma lost their goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg mid-way through the first half.

The Netherlands international was knocked unconscious following a collision with Lucio, to be replaced by former Ajax colleague Bogdan Lobont.

Cesar denied Osvaldo again early in the second half, following a neat through ball from Roma veteran Francesco Totti.

Diego Milito almost opened the scoring for Inter with a diving header from Wesley Sneijder’s free-kick, but the Argentina striker sent his effort wide of the post.

It was Inter who looked the more likely to score late on, with substitute Mauro Zarate and Sneijder both registering long-range efforts.

Diego Forlan went closest to finding the breakthrough when his curling effort from the edge of the box went just past the far post in the 76th minute.

And with five minutes to go, Sneijder saw a shot cleared off the line by Roma debutant Simon Kjaer.

Also on Saturday, Cagliari defeated promoted Novara 2-1.

Ribeiro Cardoso Thiago struck the first for hosts Cagliari 37 minutes into the match at the Stadio Sant’Elia, with Joaquin Larrivey doubling the lead in the 85th minute.

Takayuki Morimoto pulled one back for the visitors with two minutes to go, but they proved unable to snatch a late equaliser.