AS Roma lifted Italy's Super Cup after Daniele De Rossi's penalty 12 minutes from time gave them a 1-0 win over league champions Inter Milan.
Inter missed several good chances in the curtain raiser to the Italian campaign but Roma, who beat Inter in last season's cup final, triumphed after Nicolas Burdisso felled Francesco Totti in the area.
Roma substitute Simone Perrotta was bizarrely sent-off as he waited to come on to the pitch just before the goal, with the officials appearing to indicate he had said something to a linesman.
Romania defender Cristian Chivu, who moved to Inter from Roma in the close season, was booed by the visiting supporters early on but was given an easier ride in the second period.
Inter had surprisngly left Brazilian striker Adriano out of the team while Douglas Maicon was suspended.
For Roma, Christian Panucci was a makeshift centre-back due to an injury crisis.
Inter should have take the lead after just six minutes but French international Ludovic Giuly volleyed over an open goal from Max Tonetto's cross.
Roma had a penalty appeal turned down when Totti exchanged passes with Giuly and the Frenchman was fouled by Marco Materazzi while Zlatan Ibrahimovic went close for Inter.
Inter's Suazo saw a drive saved by Doni early in the second half but Roma kept pressing and the champions were forced to take off Olivier Dacourt to be replaced by veteran Luis Figo.
Materazzi was booked for a foul on Totti before Figo almost scored only to be denied by Doni.
Roberto Mancini's Inter are again expected to be the main challengers this season, which kicks off next weekend, but Roma's victory will have also encouraged AC Milan and Juventus that they can compete.
