Inter Milan 4-1 Monza: Calhanoglu screamer & Esposito masterclass in title defence opener (full match highlights)

Inter Milan launched their Serie A title defence in emphatic fashion with a 4-1 demolition of newly promoted Monza at San Siro, but the scoreline didn't tell the full story of a game that was balanced for 45 minutes. The champions struck early through a Hakan Calhanoglu rocket from 25 yards in the 6th minute after Andy Diouf's clever cut-back, yet Monza, back in the top flight after a season in Serie B, showed they weren't here just to make up the numbers. Gustavo Varela equalised on 29 minutes, turning Manuel Akanji with a sharp touch and drilling low across goal to silence the home fans. The first half ended with Inter frustrated and Monza dreaming of an upset. But Christian Chivu's men reasserted their authority three minutes after the restart when Piotr Zielinski tapped home from close range after Semuel Pizzignacco failed to hold a Dimarco cross. Then came the moment of magic: Francesco Pio Esposito produced an exquisite backheel finish on 55 minutes to convert Diouf's cross, and the 21-year-old turned provider just eight minutes later, releasing Yann Bisseck to fire past Pizzignacco for 4-1. John Stones made his Serie A debut as a second-half substitute, replacing Akanji in the 75th minute, while Manuel Akanji hit the crossbar from a Dimarco corner. Inter's starting goalkeeper Josep Martínez showed occasional nerves with his feet but made a vital low save to deny Birindelli late on. Was this the statement victory the champions needed to scare the rest of the league? The stats speak for themselves: Inter dominated possession with 66.7% to Monza's 33.3%, and posted 149 accurate passes to Monza's 67. The victory handed Inter three points from their opening Serie A fixture, while Monza were left to reflect on a result that, despite the final score, offered genuine encouragement for the battles ahead.