MILAN, Nov 24 (AP): Roberto Mancini's first game back in charge of Inter ended with a 1-1 draw against city rival AC Milan in front of a sellout crowd on Sunday.
A stunning Jeremy Menez volley gave Milan the halftime lead but Joel Obi leveled shortly after the hour mark.
Both sides also hit the crossbar through Stephan El Shaarawy and Mauro Icardi.
"It's not the easiest thing starting with a derby match, we only had five days to work together," Mancini said. "But we had great spirit, so it's a positive night for me, apart from we didn't win.
"The derby is always a really lovely match. It made me happy to see a full San Siro. We'll try to do our best quickly, because you need results in football and I'm convinced we'll get them."
In previous seasons, the derby would often be vital for the destination of the title.
Not this season.
The result left Milan in seventh spot, 13 points behind Serie A leader Juventus, with Inter a point further back.
"I think my players were really good in trying to get the win, others would have sat back and played for the draw," Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi said. "The two great chances we had at the end leave a really bitter taste, they would have given us the three points which would have changed people's opinions.
"We need to get back to taking all three points, as at the moment we're not getting what we deserve."
Earlier, Napoli squandered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to Cagliari and lose ground in the title race, while Udinese's Antonio Di Natale scored his 200th Serie A goal in a 1-1 draw against Chievo Verona.
Sampdoria remained fourth after Constantin Nica's own goal salvaged a 1-1 draw at Cesena.
Fiorentina beat Hellas Verona 2-1, with both sides hitting the crossbar, and Empoli won 2-0 at bottom club Parma, to put more pressure on former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.
Sassuolo won 1-0 at Torino.
