The Nerazzurri took an early lead through Dejan Stankovic but were then reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Julio Cesar was sent off 12 minutes into the second half.

The hosts remained in front despite the numerical disadvantage until injury time when defender Ivan Cordoba put one into his own net to hand Udinese a share of the spoils.

European champions AC Milan opened their challenge with a 3-0 win at newly-promoted Genoa.

Carlo Ancelotti's men scored all their goals in the first half with Massimo Ambrosini's strike being added to by a double from Brazil playmaker Kaka, the second of which came from the penalty spot.

Roma, tipped by many to improve on last season's second-place finish, enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win at Palermo.

Philippe Mexes opened the scoring for the Giallorossi after four minutes and Alberto Aquilani added a second shortly before the half-hour mark.

Vincenzo Montella, who had a spell on loan to Fulham last season, marked his return to Sampdoria with the winner as they beat Siena 2-1.

Claudio Bellucci had fired the visitors ahead shortly after the half-hour mark, but they were pegged back by Daniele Corvia's header midway though the second half.

Veteran striker Montella had been brought off the bench shortly before that goal, but repaid the faith shown in him by coach Walter Mazzarri with the winning goal four minutes from time to get his second spell with the Genoa club off to a fine start.