Chievo Verona spoil Frank de Boer's Serie A debut with Inter Milan

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Frank de Boer made a losing start to life in Serie A as his Inter Milan side lost 2-0 at Chievo thanks to Valter Birsa's double strike.

Birsa bagged both goals in the second half to leave De Boer, who replaced Roberto Mancini as manager less than two weeks ago, with much to ponder.

Inter dominated early on but did little with the ball and lacked the intensity to cause Chievo problems. Antonio Candreva and Ever Banega often got themselves in good positions but failed to link up well enough with Mauro Icardi, who was largely anonymous throughout.

Eder was the visitor's biggest threat and he forced Stefano Sorrentino into a good save after 17 minutes before Andrea Ranocchia worked the Chievo goalkeeper again.

Riccardo Meggiorini came agonisingly close to giving Chievo the lead just before half-time but his shot rolled inches wide with Samir Handanovic rooted to the spot.

Birsa sent a range-finder just over the crossbar at the start of the second half before opening the scoring after 49 minutes. The hosts hit Inter on the counter-attack and Fabrizio Cacciatore teed up Birsa who skipped past Danilo D'Ambrosio and Ranocchia before slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Lucas Castro could have quickly doubled the lead but scuffed his effort into the grateful hands of Handanovic while at the other end, Miranda poked a shot just wide and Icardi sent a poor effort straight at Sorrentino.

Birsa settled the game with nine minutes remaining with a lovely 25-yard strike and only a superb save from Handanovic to tip over Roberto Inglese's header prevented further embarrassment for De Boer's team.