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Cristian Chivu hit the crossbar and former Inter goalkeeper Alberto Fontana repeatedly denied Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Palermo stall the leaders and Dejan Stankovic is stretchered off.
The Nerazzurri were hoping to break away at the top of the table and replicate last season's 2-1 victory at the Stadio Barbera. Adriano was left behind and Patrick Vieira will be out for two months following a calf strain, but the Rosanero welcomed back Fabrizio Miccoli to the bench after his muscular injury. This Serie A fixture last ended in a draw in 1968, followed by four away wins and a 3-2 home victory in September 2005.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic went close as he brought a tough save out of Alberto 'Jimmy' Fontana from Douglas Maicon's assist, then Ciro Capuano cleared a Maicon header.
From a corner kick Ibra, Maicon and David Suazo all got a touch, but could not be decisive. It was an open first half with both sides attacking, although there were few clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Fontana smothered a Maicon free kick and the Brazilian created an even better chance with his cross, Fontana showing great reflexes to parry Dejan Stankovic's volley.
Miccoli made his comeback earlier than expected due to Bresciano's injury and Stankovic was stretchered off in clear pain after he was closed down by Fabio Simplicio. It's possible the Inter midfielder landed awkwardly after the shot. He was replaced by Olivier Dacourt and Julio Cesar also went off with a muscular injury to make way for third choice Paolo Orlandoni.
Palermo had a great chance to take the lead as Aimo Diana's cross found an unmarked Miccoli, but he hesitated and allowed Ivan Cordoba to charge down his finish.
Ibrahimovic was sluggish in the first half, but seemed to wake up in the second with a splendid disguised pass for Maicon. From the resulting corner Suazo's diving header was off target.
Miccoli fired a rocket of a free kick just over the bar, then Ibra tried to score with a cheeky backheel from six yards, Fontana getting down to prod it round the post.
Orlandoni had his palms stung by a rising Fabio Simplicio screamer, then Chivu's left-foot free kick from 20 metres smacked against the crossbar.
Ibrahimovic wanted a penalty five minutes from time for a coming together with Andrea Barzagli, but the referee waved play on. The Swede had a downward header saved by Fontana right on the line from a Julio Cruz cross.
Deep into stoppages Orlandoni also had to get down to parry a Diana angled drive out for a corner. From Miccoli's set-piece, Roberto Guana blasted over from the edge of the area.
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