Di Canio makes winning start in Italy

Paolo di Canio made an immediate impression for new club Lazio tonight - netting the only goal of the game at Sampdoria on the opening weekend of the Serie A season.

The former Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham and Charlton favourite netted from the penalty spot in the 29th-minute, after goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli had fouled Simone Inzaghi and been sent off.

In this afternoon’s matches, Fabio Capello’s bid to bring the title back to Juventus was given the ideal start as his new charges won 3-0 at Brescia with goals from Pavel Nedved, David Trezeguet and new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Roma, under Rudi Voller, also got off to a winning start thanks to Vincenzo Montella’s goal against newly-promoted Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico in a game which saw Fiorentina defender William Viale and Roma striker Antonio Cassano sent off.

Elsewhere, there were wins for newly-promoted Cagliari and Palermo – 1-0 at the expense of Bologna and Siena respectively.