Nerazzurri off the mark in style

Three goals in 15 second-half minutes earned Inter what was ultimately a comfortable opening-day victory over Monza at San Siro.

Inter recovered from a first-half setback with three goals in 15 minutes to begin their Serie A title defence with a 4-1 victory over newly promoted Monza. Hakan Calhanoglu put Inter in front with a venomous strike, but Cristian Chivu's side eased off and saw Gustavo Varela draw Monza level in the 29th minute with a fine finish.

The Nerazzurri reasserted themselves after the interval, with Piotr Zielinski and Francesco Pio Esposito both scoring in the space of seven minutes early in the second half — the latter converting with a delightful backheel flick. Yann Bisseck added a fourth eight minutes later to put the result beyond doubt, and only the crossbar stopped Manuel Akanji from adding further gloss to the scoreline.

Calhanoglu sets the tone early

Inter took just six minutes to get off the mark, with Andy Diouf laying the ball back for Calhanoglu to thunder an unstoppable 25-yard strike past Monza goalkeeper Semuel Pizzignacco.

The hosts appeared to be sitting comfortably, but Monza managed to restore parity against the run of play. Varela showed great strength to hold off Akanji and spin away from him into the area before driving a fine finish into the far corner.

Second-half blitz settles it

Monza grew in confidence and should have done more with chances that fell to Varela and Mathis Mout before half-time, but neither were able to hit the target.

Inter restored their advantage within three minutes of the restart, with Zielinski converting after Pizzignacco punched Federico Dimarco's cross straight to him. Lautaro Martinez and Calhanoglu were withdrawn in the 54th minute, but Inter did not repeat their mistake of sitting back, instead extending their lead through Esposito's magnificent finish one minute later.

Bisseck's powerful left-footed drive from the edge of the area extended Inter's lead further, and although Akanji headed Dimarco's corner against the bar in the 67th minute, the damage was done and Monza could not recover in their first game under Ivan Juric.