Inter midfielder Joel Obi struck a second-half equaliser in a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to AC Milan to save Roberto Mancini’s blushes on the Italian’s return to Serie A after a six-year absence on Sunday.
Mancini, who led the Serie A giant to seven trophies including three consecutive league titles from 2004 to 2008, was handed a San Siro baptism of fire on his first game back at Inter after replacing Walter Mazzarri a fortnight ago.
After Jeremy Menez struck in the 23rd minute for the host, Nigerian Obi’s 61st minute goal secured a deserved share of the points for the Nerazzurri.
Milan moved back up to seventh place and is now 13 points adrift of champion and leader Juventus, with Inter a point further adrift in ninth.
Mancini lamented the several chances Inter missed through Mauro Icardi, but welcomed not losing to Milan on his comeback match.
“Coming back and starting with the derby wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” said Mancini.
“But we worked hard together over five days and tonight we did well. We showed a lot of spirit. For me it was a positive night.”
The results: Serie A: AC Milan 1 (Menez 23) drew with Inter Milan 1 (Obi 61).
Bundesliga: VfB Stuttgart 0 lost to Augsburg 1 (Verhaegh 72-pen).
La Liga: Villarreal 2 (Gaspar 38, Moreno 43) bt Getafe 1 (Lacen 61); Elche 2 (Lomban 63-pen, Jonathas 75) drew with Cordoba 2 (Fidel 12, Cartabia 60); Levante 2 (Casadesus 57, Morales 74) bt Valencia 1 (Parejo 73).
