Inter Milan gained a hard-fought victory against Cagliari, thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu’s second goal in consecutive matches. Despite dominating the match, Inter almost faced disappointment due to missed opportunities.

The Nerazzurri kicked off the season with a commanding 4-1 victory over Monza, now with new signings Benjamin Pavard, Petar Sucic, and Luis Henrique. Notably, Curtis Jones was on the bench for the first time, while Djed Spence continued to work on his fitness. Cagliari, fresh from a surprising 1-0 away win against Parma, faced the match without key players Yerry Mina and Riyad Idrissi. Additionally, Yael Trepy was recently released from the hospital after a near-drowning incident.

It only took nine minutes for Inter to establish control, as Nicolò Barella cut in from the right and set up Calhanoglu, who fired a precise shot from outside the area into the bottom corner.

Inter’s Lautaro Martinez missed a close chance, and Manuel Akanji headed a Federico Dimarco free kick just past the goalpost. Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile made crucial saves, denying Barella’s powerful shot and then deflecting a twisting volley from Dimarco over the bar.

Caprile’s quick reflexes came to the fore again when he barely managed to clear a ball after failing to intercept the volley from Barella, which was saved by Juan Rodriguez at the goal line.

Cagliari’s defense faced numerous threats, including a blocked shot from Martinez and a close miss from Henrique, who shot over the bar after an assist from Martinez. Dimarco continued to pressure Cagliari with consistent attempts, although Cagliari’s Caprile stood firm with quick saves.

The match saw a dramatic turning point after the interval when Cagliari pressed back. Rodriguez’s defending prevented a goal from Esposito after a well-placed assist from Alieu Fadera.

Moments later, Inter’s goalkeeper had to dash outside the box to clear a potential equalizer from Kevin Carlos, who was left open due to a failed offside trap. Curtis Jones made his debut in the latter stages of the match alongside John Stones.

Despite Inter’s multiple chances, including a header from Marcus Thuram that flew wide and missed opportunities for Alessandro Bastoni, Cagliari remained resilient. The visitors pushed for an equalizer, with Adopo’s shot blocked desperately by Yann Bisseck, who saved a potential late equalizer. Cagliari finished strong, but Inter held on for the victory.

Calhanoglu once again played a pivotal role in Inter’s win, showcasing his skills and contributing significantly to the team’s performance.

Hakan Calhanoglu’s second goal in as many games proved enough for Inter to take the points from Cagliari, but were almost made to pay for wasteful finishing.

The Nerazzurri had opened the season with a 4-1 victory over Monza, but brought in Benjamin Pavard, Petar Sucic and Luis Henrique, with Curtis Jones on the bench for the first time, and Djed Spence still working on his fitness. The Sardinians started with a surprise 1-0 victory away to Parma, but were without Yerry Mina and Riyad Idrissi. Yael Trepy was released from hospital this week, 10 days after nearly drowning in a swimming pool.

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See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

It took just nine minutes to break the deadlock, as native son of Cagliari Nicolò Barella cut inside from the right and rolled across for Hakan Calhanoglu to swing the right-boot first time from outside the area to drill with precision into the bottom corner.

Lautaro Martinez flashed a finish wide on the turn, while Manuel Akanji nodded a Federico Dimarco free kick past the far post. Elia Caprile kept the scoreline down, as his gloves were stung by Barella’s scorcher, then he was alert for a desperate save to push the powerful Dimarco volley over the bar.

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Caprile rushed off his line too late to intercept the Barella volley, but was rescued by Juan Rodriguez clearing practically off the line.

The Inter starting XI for their Serie A Week 2 visit to Cagliari (@inter)

Alessandro Deiola threw himself in the way of a Lautaro Martinez finish after Petar Sucic rolled across, while Luis Henrique fired just over from a smart Lautaro Martinez through ball.

Dimarco couldn’t keep his first-time finish on target from the Esposito back-heel flick, then Esposito stung Caprile’s gloves while slipping over from the edge of the area.

After the restart, Caprile had to get down quickly to palm the Esposito effort off the line from another Barella assist, but Cagliari did fight back on the hour mark.

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Rodriguez tackled Esposito for Alieu Fadera’s cross to the back post, where Josep Martinez had to fingertip the ball away from Kevin Carlos sliding in.

Lautaro Martinez during Inter’s 1-0 Serie A victory away to Cagliari (@inter)

Moments later, the Inter goalkeeper had to sprint outside his penalty area to clear from Kevin Carlos after the offside trap failed on a Michel Adopo pass.

Curtis Jones made his debut with John Stones also off the bench, and Alessandro Bastoni failed to keep the finish on target from a Dimarco pull-back.

Marcus Thuram couldn’t steer his header into the empty net as Caprile came flying out, then turned wide on another Dimarco roll across from the left.

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Adam Obert blasted just over from a very difficult angle, but Adopo thought he had equalised with a ferocious hit on the loose ball from 10 yards, denied by the most desperate Yann Bisseck block. On the resulting corner, Gennaro Borrelli steered a header wide.

Lautaro Martinez sprung the offside trap to sting Caprile’s gloves at the near stick, but Cagliari pushed to the very end.

Calhanoglu 9 (I)