Inter Milan began their defence of the Serie A title in emphatic fashion, overcoming newly promoted Monza 4-1 at San Siro. The reigning champions were briefly pegged back after taking an early lead, but a devastating second-half spell ultimately settled the contest.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a stunning long-range strike, finding the top corner from outside the box after being picked out by Andy Diouf. Monza responded before half-time, with Gustavo Varela beating Manuel Akanji to level the score.

The second half was a completely different story. Piotr Zieliński restored Inter's advantage just three minutes after the restart, reacting quickest to a mistake from the Monza goalkeeper. The Nerazzurri then turned up the pressure and took complete control of the match.

The highlight of the evening arrived in the 55th minute. Francesco Pio Esposito produced a moment of genuine class, brilliantly turning a cross into the near corner with a spectacular back-heel finish. The young forward was one of the standout performers as Inter pulled away from their opponents.

Yann Bisseck added a fourth goal shortly afterwards, with Esposito once again involved in the build-up. The Italian forward finished the evening with a goal and an assist, putting his name firmly in the spotlight on the opening weekend.

Monza could have reduced the deficit late on, but Manuel Akanji headed against the crossbar. By then, however, the damage had already been done and Inter were comfortably on their way to three points.

2026-27, Italy - Serie A

Inter - Monza 4:1 (1:1)
Goals: Çalhanoğlu, 6 (1:0); Varela Gustavo, 29 (1:1); Zielinski P., 48 (2:1); Pio Esposito, 55 (3:1); Bisseck, 63 (4:1)

Inter: Martínez J-p; Akanji (Stones, 75); Bisseck; Dimarco; Bastoni; Zielinski P. (Stankovic Al., 83); Çalhanoğlu (Sucic P., 54); Barella; Martínez L. (Bonny, 54); Diouf A. (Luis Henrique T.L., 75); Pio Esposito
Substitution: Sucic P. (from 54); Bonny (from 54); Stones (from 75); Luis Henrique T.L. (from 75); Stankovic Al. (from 83)
Bench: Di Gennaro; Provedel; Pavard; Carlos Augusto; Iddrissou; Thuram M.
Yellow Cards: Martínez L. 34; Çalhanoğlu 45

Monza: Pizzignacco; Lucchesi (Delli Carri, 88); Mangas; Birindelli Samuele; Bakoune (Cutrone, 70); Carboni A.; Kouadio; Colpani (Forson, 70); Foe Ondoa; Varela Gustavo (Robinson Jay, 83)
Substitution: Forson (from 70); Cutrone (from 70); Robinson Jay (from 83); Delli Carri (from 88)
Bench: Antov; Galazzi
Yellow Cards: Kouadio 69; Lucchesi 84