Inter start Scudetto defence with 4-1 win over Monza

Three second-half goals helped Inter Milan to a 4-1 victory over Monza in their first game of the Serie A season, leaving new head coach Cristian Chivu content with the start but also pointing to room for improvement.

The Nerazzurri opened their Scudetto defence at San Siro against newly promoted opponents and went into half-time level at 1-1 after Hakan Calhanoglu's early goal was cancelled out by Gustavo Varela.

Inter turned the game around after the break with strikes from Piotr Zielinski, Francesco Pio Esposito and Yann Bisseck to complete a 4-1 win. It is the fifth time in the last eight seasons that Inter have scored at least four goals in their matchday one game, having only done so once in the previous 38 campaigns.

World Cup stars back in action

Chivu's starting line-up included captain Lautaro Martinez, a beaten World Cup finalist with Argentina, and centre-back Manuel Akanji, who reached the quarter-finals with Switzerland. John Stones, who helped England to the bronze medal in North America, came off the bench for his Serie A debut, while France's Marcus Thuram was an unused substitute.

"We always have to find the right solutions; we have to try to do that with the players," Chivu told DAZN in his post-match interview. "The players who went to the World Cup made themselves available immediately, ahead of schedule, even. That's the most pleasing thing to see as a coach."

"This is a group of good lads, and a group that has maintained a very high level over the years. I believe in them, and there is still plenty of room for improvement."

"For me, everyone is a starter depending on their qualities, the opponent, the circumstances, and our physical situation."

Clinical despite rustiness

Inter were clinical with the few high-quality chances they created. Despite having 13 shots to Monza's seven, they lost the expected goals battle by 1.2 to 1.1.

"We knew we weren't at our best yet, physically, and we're always trying to improve," Chivu said. "Credit to our opponents, who caused us problems with their pressing and from second balls, where we were slow to react."

"We wanted to stick to the game plan, but there was a bit of rustiness and urgency, and we lacked technical sharpness both individually and collectively. Taking the lead early in the second half helped us regain our composure and clarity and take control of the game."

Martinez played 54 minutes before he was replaced by Ange-Yoan Bonny, failing to attempt a single shot or create a chance for a team-mate in that time, but Chivu defended the striker's performance.

"There are lots of situations that a coach must understand. We mustn't forget his end to the World Cup. I try to see the human being first. I also try to help the players, although he doesn't need much help given his strength and quality: he's Serie A's top scorer, Inter's captain, and the third-highest scorer in the club's history."

Inter visit Cagliari on matchday two next Sunday, before Napoli visit San Siro for a huge matchup between last season's top two on September 5.