Palermo were denied a winning start on their return to Serie A having been held to a 1-1 draw by Sampdoria this evening.

It took the hosts seven minutes to open the scoring as Paulo Dybala latched onto Edgar Barreto's ball over the top, shrugging off a defender before firing a strike into the corner.

Pedro Obiang tried his luck from range moments later, but his effort was comfortably saved by Stefano Sorrentino.

Just past the half-hour mark Palermo were close to doubling their lead, but Barreto's powerful strike went narrowly wide of the post.

Sampdoria's hopes of getting back into the match took a blow when Vasco Regini was sent off four minutes before half time.

Both teams struggled to create chances after the break, but in the final minute the visitors levelled when a corner fell kindly to Daniele Gastaldello, who fired home from close range to earn his side a point.