Inter have made the perfect start to their Serie A title defense, defeating newly promoted Monza 4-1 in a match played at San Siro.
The Nerazzurri are aiming to win the Scudetto for a second consecutive season for the first time since José Mourinho’s team achieved the feat in the 2009/10 campaign, and their opening performance against Monza was convincing despite some difficulties in the first half.
Çalhanoğlu Opens the Match with a Stunning Goal
Inter needed just six minutes to take the lead.
Andy Diouf, deployed on the right wing following the departure of Denzel Dumfries, combined well before cutting the ball back toward the edge of the box, where Hakan Çalhanoğlu unleashed a powerful long-range strike.
The Turkish midfielder gave goalkeeper Semuel Pizzignacco no chance and made it 1-0.
It was Çalhanoğlu’s fourth goal in his last four appearances against Monza, while Inter scored first in a Serie A home match for the eighth consecutive time.
Varela Stuns the Champions
Monza refused to surrender and responded strongly.
In the 29th minute, Gustavo Varela showed great physical strength to break away from Manuel Akanji before calmly finding the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
For Varela, it was his third goal in just two matches since joining Monza.
Inter failed to create many clear-cut chances before the end of the first half, and the teams went into the break level.
Zieliński Restores Inter’s Lead Immediately After the Break
Just three minutes into the second half, Inter regained the advantage.
Federico Dimarco sent a dangerous ball into the box, while Pizzignacco reacted poorly and diverted it directly into the path of Piotr Zieliński.
The Polish midfielder immediately took advantage of the gift, lifting the ball over the stranded goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
The goal completely changed the course of the match.
Pio Esposito and Bisseck Seal the Victory
After the second goal, Inter took complete control.
Andy Diouf was once again involved, sending a low ball into the box that Francesco Pio Esposito beautifully redirected into the net to make it 3-1.
Monza’s resistance had now been broken.
Shortly afterward, Esposito held up the ball well before passing to Yann Bisseck, who advanced and fired a powerful left-footed strike into the net for 4-1.
For the German defender, it was his first goal in a home league match since May 2025.
Inter Could Have Scored Even More
Inter came close to a fifth goal when Manuel Akanji struck the crossbar with a header.
However, Cristian Chivu’s side settled for four goals and a convincing victory in their opening match of the season.
The Romanian coach also used the final stages of the match to hand debuts to two new signings, John Stones and Aleksandar Stanković, the son of former Inter star Dejan Stanković.
A Bitter Return to Serie A for Monza
For Monza, their return to the Italian top flight began with a difficult evening.
The team showed character in the first half and managed to level the score, but after the break they were unable to cope with the pace and quality of the reigning champions.
Thus, Monza’s new Serie A adventure begins in the same stadium where their previous campaign had ended—with a defeat at San Siro.
Inter, meanwhile, collect their first three points and immediately send a strong message that they remain the team to beat in the title race.
