Inter Milan's Serie A title defence began unconvincingly with a 2-2 draw at Genoa on Saturday (Aug 17) as a last-gasp goal from Junior Messias secured a point for the hosts. Inter, missing key players Stefan de Vrij and Piotr Zielinski, could not find the margins to start their campaign with a win, despite a brace from striker Marcus Thuram.
Inter Milan became the first Serie A champions to fail to win on the opening day of the next season since 2015 after conceding an injury-time equaliser to draw 2-2 with Genoa.
Alessandro Vogliacco put Genoa ahead but Marcus Thuram's double – a header and a close-range dink over the goalkeeper – looked set to give Simeone Inzaghi's side a winning start. But in injury time, Genoa were awarded a penalty for a Yann Bisseck handball. Former AC Milan player Junior Messias saw his kick saved but slammed home the rebound.
Inter boss Inzaghi, speaking about his side's draw, said: "We're disappointed because the boys put in a very professional performance. "When a team like ours goes ahead when we did we cannot concede, especially not a goal like we did."
Meanwhile, AC Milan produced a late comeback to go from 2-0 down with a minute of normal time left to draw 2-2 with Torino. Torino looked in control through Malick Thiaw's own goal and Duvan Zapata's header. Alvaro Morata pulled one back in the 89th minute on his Milan debut and Noah Okafor levelled deep into stoppage time.
Parma, on their return to Serie A after three years away, drew 1-1 with Fiorentina. Dennis Man's fine strike gave Parma the lead but Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi slammed in a fantastic free-kick from the right side of the box to level.
Empoli and Monza drew 0-0 in Saturday's other game.
