By Amaechi Agbo
Serie A champions, Inter Milan began their title defence on Saturday in emphatic fashion, overcoming a spirited Monza side 4-1 at San Siro after the visitors briefly threatened to spoil the champions’ opening-day celebrations.
Inter took control almost immediately when Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a thunderous strike from distance. Andy Diouf created the opportunity by laying the ball back into the Turkey international’s path, allowing Calhanoglu to unleash an unstoppable first-time effort into the roof of the net.
Monza, however, refused to be overawed by the champions and drew level before the half-hour mark.
Gustavo Varela, making his Serie A debut, received a pass from Mathis Mout with his back to goal on the edge of the penalty area. The 21-year-old turned away from Manuel Akanji before sending a low finish into the far corner.
Varela joined Monza from Benfica in July and has already made a rapid impact, having scored twice on his debut in last week’s 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Avellino.
Inter regrouped at the interval and restored their advantage just three minutes into the second half.
Monza goalkeeper Semuel Pizzignacco punched Federico Dimarco’s cross away, but the clearance dropped invitingly to Piotr Zielinski, who struck the ball into the turf and watched it bounce over the stranded goalkeeper.
The hosts then seized complete control.
Eight minutes later, Pio Esposito produced a moment of individual brilliance, using a deft back-heel to guide the ball beyond Pizzignacco after another assist from Diouf.
Yann Bisseck added a fourth when his shot took a deflection on its way into the net, while Akanji came close to extending the margin further when his header crashed against the crossbar.
England defender John Stones came on to make his Inter debut, adding another high-profile name to the club’s summer arrivals. Fellow English signings Djed Spence and Curtis Jones were also in attendance at San Siro.
Elsewhere, last season’s Serie A runners-up Napoli also began their campaign with a victory, defeating Genoa 2-0.
The champions’ closest challengers from last season were frustrated for much of the contest before substitutes Kevin De Bruyne and Antonio Vergara struck late to secure all three points.
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