Video: Inter run riot against Monza in the opening of the Italian league

Inter began the defence of their Serie A title with a 4-1 win over Monza on Saturday evening. In the opening round of the 2026-2027 campaign, the hosts overturned an early setback to run out comfortable winners at the San Siro.

The champions started strongly and opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Hakan Calhanoglu latched onto a pass from Andy Diouf and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that nestled into Monza's net.

Monza had other ideas. Despite Inter's dominance and control of the play, the visitors levelled in the 29th minute when Mattia Mo fed Gustavo Varela, who got the better of Manuel Akanji before placing it into the left corner.

The first half ended 1-1. Inter needed just three minutes of the second period to regain the lead, Piotr Zielinski pouncing on chaos in the Monza defence to roll the ball into an empty net after the goalkeeper spilled a Federico Dimarco cross.

The pressure kept coming. Francesco Pio Esposito made it three in the 55th minute, converting a Diouf cross with a delightful back-heel.

Yann Bisseck rounded off the scoring in the 63rd minute, firing home from inside the area after being teed up by Esposito.

Monza chased a consolation without joy. Akanji nearly grabbed a fifth for Inter in the 67th minute, but his header cannoned back off the crossbar.

Cristian Chivu's side have laid down an early marker with this result. Monza, meanwhile, mark their return to Serie A with a heavy defeat.

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