Çalhanoğlu strikes early as Inter demolish Monza at home

Inter made the perfect start to their Serie A campaign with a comprehensive home victory over Monza. The Nerazzurri were clinical and ruthless in attack, establishing early control and never allowing their visitors a foothold in the contest. Monza offered resistance but ultimately lacked the defensive solidity to trouble a rampant Inter side hungry for three points.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu gave Inter the lead inside six minutes with a well-taken opening goal that set the tone for the afternoon. Monza briefly threatened to make a match of it when Giangiacomo Varela scored in the 29th minute to level at 1-1, but Inter's response was swift and overwhelming. Piotr Zieliński restored the home side's advantage immediately after the interval, scoring in the 48th minute to shift momentum decisively back toward Simone Inzaghi's men.

The match pivoted decisively in Inter's favour during the second half. Francesco Pio Esposito added a third goal in the 55th minute, and any remaining doubt was erased when Yann Bisseck made it 4-1 in the 63rd minute. By that point Inter had effectively settled the contest, leaving Monza with no realistic avenue back into the game.

Inter dominated possession and territory for large stretches, particularly after the break. The home side's attacking play was sharp and purposeful, with movement off the ball creating space for dangerous chances. Monza worked hard defensively but found themselves repeatedly undone by Inter's pace and precision in the final third, their own attacking threat fading as the match wore on.

Yellow cards for Lautaro Martínez in the 34th minute and Çalhanoğlu in the 45th showed Inter had to manage their discipline, though neither caution significantly disrupted their control. The closing stages saw Inter ease through comfortably, with Monza unable to muster a meaningful response. The victory sends Inzaghi's squad into the campaign with momentum and confidence, while Monza face a difficult road ahead after this heavy defeat on the road.