Inter Milan began their Serie A title defense emphatically, beating newly promoted Monza 4-1 at the San Siro. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Piotr Zieliński, Francesco Pio Esposito and Yann Bisseck all scored as Cristian Chivu’s side secured a fourth victory in their last five meetings with Monza.
Çalhanoğlu Gives Inter the Perfect Start
Inter entered the new campaign looking to win back-to-back Serie A titles for the first time since José Mourinho’s treble-winning side in 2009/10, and it took just six minutes for the champions to take control.
Andy Diouf, operating at right wing-back following Denzel Dumfries’ departure, found Hakan Çalhanoğlu on the edge of the penalty area. The Turkish midfielder unleashed a powerful strike beyond Semuel Pizzignacco to make it four goals in his last four appearances against Monza.
The visitors refused to fold, however. Gustavo Varela used his strength to escape Manuel Akanji before firing into the bottom corner just before the half-hour mark, sending the teams into the interval level at 1-1.
Inter Punish Monza After Half-Time
Inter regained the lead only three minutes after the restart following a costly mistake from Pizzignacco. The goalkeeper failed to properly deal with Federico Dimarco’s cross, allowing Piotr Zieliński to lift the loose ball into the net cleverly.
From there, the Serie A champions took complete control.
Diouf registered his second assist of the evening when his cutback was brilliantly flicked home by Francesco Pio Esposito for 3-1. Esposito then turned provider, holding up possession before finding Yann Bisseck, who powered a left-footed finish into the net.
Akanji later struck the crossbar with a header as Inter threatened to make the scoreline even more emphatic.
Chivu’s New-Look Inter Make a Statement
Beyond the four goals, the performance offered encouraging signs for Inter boss Cristian Chivu. Diouf impressed in his new wing-back role, while Esposito contributed both a goal and an assist.
Chivu also handed debuts to summer signings John Stones and Aleksandar Stanković, with the latter following in the footsteps of his father and Inter legend Dejan Stanković.
For Monza, meanwhile, their return to Serie A began with a difficult reminder of the quality required in Italy’s top flight. Their spirited first-half display kept them competitive, but defensive mistakes proved costly after the break.
What the Result Means
The Inter Milan 4-1 Monza result gives the Nerazzurri an ideal opening to their Serie A campaign and an early statement of their determination to retain the Scudetto.
Monza can take encouragement from Varela’s goal and their first-half resistance, but they’ll need to address their second-half collapse quickly as they look to establish themselves following promotion.
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Final Verdict
Inter Milan 4-1 Monza was exactly the start the defending champions wanted. Çalhanoğlu set the tone with an early rocket before Zieliński, Esposito and Bisseck turned a competitive encounter into a convincing victory.
For Inter, the message is clear: the champions are ready to defend their crown. For Monza, the hard work required to survive back in Serie A has already begun.
