VARELA SCORES AT SAN SIRO, BUT INTER WIN 4-1

On the opening matchday of the 2026–27 Serie A season, Inter beat Monza 4-1 after the visitors had initially frightened the Italian champions by equalising and earning plenty of applause despite being hit by an injury crisis.

Juric fielded a Monza side featuring six Serie A debutants, with an average age of just 23. The opening stages were evenly balanced, with the courageous visitors refusing to give the hosts any chances. It took a moment of individual brilliance to break the deadlock at 6’, and Calhanoglu provided it. Fed by Diouf, the Turkish midfielder unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from distance to put Inter 1-0 up. The biancorossi did not let their heads drop and tried to change the course of the game. After a period of balance, at 26’ Barella cut inside from the left and fired a right-footed shot towards the far post, but his effort was off target. Monza remained in the game and, at 29’, stunned San Siro. Varela produced a superb piece of skill, turning away from Akanji after receiving Mout’s pass before firing a perfect right-footed diagonal into the corner for his first hugely important Serie A goal. It was the Portuguese forward’s third goal in two matches, after he had scored twice on his Coppa Italia debut against Avellino. Inter were shaken by the blow, while the visitors grew even more confident. After a couple of unsuccessful efforts from distance, Varela came close to scoring again at 40’, heading just wide from the centre of the box following Carboni’s cross. A minute later, Foe Ondoa made an excellent recovery and launched a rapid counterattack before finding Mout, whose shot was deflected behind for a corner. The final chance of the first half also fell to the biancorossi, with Birindelli sending a dangerous cross-shot across goal that none of his teammates could get a touch on. It was an impressive Monza side that went into the break level at 1-1.

Inter tried to raise the tempo at the start of the second half and regained the lead at 48’. Zielinski scored the 2-1, following up to finish after Pizzignacco had parried Dimarco’s cross. The biancorossi immediately resumed their attacking efforts, and at 50’ Mangas almost capitalised on a mistake by Martinez while coming off his line. Monza continued to believe, but at 55’ a superb backheel from Pio Esposito put Inter 3-1 ahead. The two-goal advantage changed the game, and the difference in technical quality began to tell. At 63’, Bisseck took advantage of Esposito’s knockdown and fired a powerful left-footed shot into the net to make it 4-1. After struggling for long spells, the nerazzurri finally found their rhythm and came close to a fifth goal when Akanji headed against the crossbar. Juric responded with a triple substitution at 70’, bringing on Cutrone, Forson and Galazzi. The Brianzoli continued to show their pride, and at 76’ Birindelli came close to getting on the end of Cutrone’s cross. Two minutes later, Galazzi advanced and unleashed a powerful left-footed effort, but it was off target. Juric also handed a Serie A debut to young English talent Robinson, who came on at 82’. Late on, Cutrone came close to scoring, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Inter eventually secured a 4-1 victory, confirming their quality, but Monza can still come away from San Siro with their heads held high.

The biancorossi will return to action on Saturday, August 29th, at 6:30 PM at the Brianteo, where they will face Udinese in the second matchday of the league.