Goalshy Inter held at Bologna

Milan, Aug 31 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Inter Milan's Serie A title defence began with a frustrating 0-0 draw at managerless Bologna on Monday when scant options on the bench again undermined Rafa Benitez's new side.

The European champions have decided to stick with the players who secured an unprecedented Italian treble last term but the lack of a replacement for sold forward Mario Balotelli could haunt Inter with just a day left in the transfer window.

"It's clear we are lacking a bit of freshness and physicality. I'm happy with the character and reaction we showed in the second half," former Liverpool coach Benitez told Sky TV.

"Let's see if we do can do some late transfer business and if not wait until January."

Inter looked a touch off the pace as they had done in Friday's European Super Cup defeat by Atletico Madrid although Wesley Sneijder threatened with three free kicks.

Samuel Eto'o clipped the bar from substitute Coutinho's cross in an improved second half but Inter fans will be worried by the start and the lack of reinforcements for an ageing squad.

Their fears will have intensified after AC Milan signed their former hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic and battered Lecce 4-0 in their first game on Sunday.

Striker Diego Milito, the key to Inter's imperious success under Jose Mourinho last term, was again totally anonymous and Bologna almost took advantage by stealing the win.

The hosts, perennial strugglers, had gone into the game without a coach after the astonishing decision to sack Franco Colomba on the eve of their Serie A opener and leave youth team boss Paolo Magnani in temporary charge.

Last season's runners-up AS Roma also drew 0-0 with promoted Cesena on Saturday while Juventus, much-changed after last term's seventh place finish, lost 1-0 at Bari in their first match on Sunday.

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