Ivan Perisic scored his first goal for Inter Milan as the Nerazzurri came from behind to hold Sampdoria to a 1-1 draw in their Serie A clash at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Ervin Zukanovic came close to making the breakthrough for the hosts in the third minute when his header sailed inches over the bar.
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Joaquin Correa was next to threaten for Sampdoria with a powerful drive from range that forced Samir Handanovic to tip the ball over the bar.
From the resulting corner, Roberto Soriano found himself unmarked to meet Djamel Mesbah's delivery, but he could only direct his header over the bar.
It took Inter until the half-hour mark to work their best opening of the match, with Fredy Guarin firing a volley just over from close range.
Within minutes Sampdoria were on the attack again, as Eder collected a loose ball inside the box before drilling a low strike inches wide of the far post.
Correa then missed a gilt-edged chance to give the Blucerchiati the lead before the break. The Argentine had seen his close-range effort saved by Handanovic, but from the rebound he proceeded to fire wide with the goal gaping.
Five minutes into the second half the hosts had another opportunity to open the scoring when Luis Muriel got in front of his marker to meet Mesbah's cross, before directing a header wide of the far post.
However, the Colombian did manage to find the net just a minute later as he arrived at the back post to direct Pedro Pereira's low cross past the stranded Handanovic.
Muriel was proving to be a constant threat for the Inter defence and he caused more panic with a surging run through the midfield that ended with a low strike wide of the target.
Sampdoria were soon punished for not making the most of their chances, as Perisic dived in at the back post to meet Mauro Icardi's cross and earn a point for the visitors.
Alex Meyers
