Inter Milan Secures Dominant 4-1 Victory Against Monza in Season Opener
Inter Milan rebounded from a challenging first half to achieve a commanding 4-1 victory over AC Monza, featuring impressive goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Pio Esposito, during Philip Stones’ debut match on August 22, 2026.
The Nerazzurri, who clinched the Domestic Double last season, aimed to start the new campaign on a strong note. However, they fielded a squad missing most of their new signings, with John Stones being the only one on the bench while Djed Spence and Curtis Jones acknowledged the fans.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was absent due to suspension, but Lautaro Martinez marked his 29th birthday as a starter. Monza, on the other hand, dealt with a number of absences, including key players Matteo Pessina, Patrick Ciurria, Leonardo Colombo, Ebeneezer Akinsanmiro, Idrissa Touré, and suspended Dany Mota Carvalho and Demba Thiam, while Patrick Cutrone was also not fully fit.
In the early stages, Inter’s season took off dramatically with an extraordinary opening goal from Calhanoglu, who released a powerful shot from 25 yards into the net. Despite this energetic start, Monza responded when Gustavo Varela capitalized on a through ball from Mathis Mout, executing a well-placed shot into the bottom corner.
Inter regained control shortly after halftime as Piotr Zielinski scored, taking advantage of a poorly executed punch from Monza’s goalkeeper, Samuele Pizzignacco, on a Federico Dimarco cross. Esposito further extended their lead with a brilliant back-heel flick finish from a tight angle, demonstrating impressive skill. He later assisted Yann Bisseck, whose effort found the net with the help of a slight deflection.
Akanji narrowly missed an opportunity to push the score to 5-1, hitting the crossbar with a header from a corner. The match concluded with Inter celebrating a solid opening day win at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Inter 4-1 Monza
Calhanoglu 6 (I), Varela 29 (M), Zielinski 48 (I), Esposito 55 (I), Bisseck 63 (I)
Inter recovered from a shaky first half to crush Monza 4-1 including spectacular Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Pio Esposito goals, on John Stones’ debut.
The Nerazzurri won the Domestic Double last season and were eager to get off to a good start, although none of the new signings were ready to play here, with only John Stones on the bench, as Djed Spence and Curtis Jones saluted their fans.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 22: John Stones of Internazionale looks on before 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)
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan was suspended, but Lautaro Martinez started on his 29th birthday. Monza missed Matteo Pessina, Patrick Ciurria, Leonardo Colombo, Ebeneezer Akinsanmiro, Idrissa Touré plus suspended Dany Mota Carvalho and Demba Thiam, with Patrick Cutrone not at 100 per cent.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale looks on before 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 was a spectacular first goal of the season, as Francesco Pio Esposito held off a defender with his strength, then Andy Diouf pulled it back for Calhanoglu to hit an unstoppable screamer into the roof of the net from 25 yards out.
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Nicolò Barella’s right-foot curler skimmed the top of the bar, but Monza equalised when Gustavo Varela gathered the Mathis Mout through ball and used his body to turn Manuel Akanji, drilling the angled drive into the far bottom corner. Varela had also scored twice on his Coppa Italia debut, so was starting to look like a fine investment.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Gustavo Varela of Monza scores his team’s first goal 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)
Inter restored their advantage after the restart, as Samuele Pizzignacco made a mess of punching the Federico Dimarco cross after a corner, allowing Piotr Zielinski to sweep in the rebound from the edge of the area.
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Mangas almost caused Josep Martinez to panic with his high press, but Esposito scored a stunner when he met the Diouf pull-back from the by-line with the cheekiest of back-heel flicks at the near post, the only way to score from that angle.
Esposito then contributed an assist, holding up the ball again from Petar Sucic to send Yann Bisseck surging through the middle, beating Pizzignacco thanks also to a slight deflection off a shinpad.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Yann Aurel Bisseck of Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal 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)
Manuel Akanji almost made it 5-1, his header thumping the crossbar from a Federico Dimarco corner.
Inter 4-1 Monza
Calhanoglu 6 (I), Varela 29 (M), Zielinski 48 (I), Esposito 55 (I), Bisseck 63 (I)
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