Inter Milan got their season off to a good start. Lautaro Martinez was the decisive man in the 2-0 win over AC Monza. The captain’s second goal was set up by a returnee
There was a lot of upheaval at Inter Milan in the summer after the defeat in the Champions League final. Among others, regular keeper Onana (to ManUnited), Skriniar (PSG), Brozovic (Al-Nassr), Dzeko (Fenerbahce) and Lukaku (back to Chelsea after loan) left the club. Two newcomers were in the starting eleven for the season opener against Monza – both from the Bundesliga: Sommer was the goalkeeper and Thuram started in attack. Arnautovic and the German U-21 captain Bisseck were initially on the bench.
Lautaro Martinez strikes early
But the lightning start was then provided by an old acquaintance, albeit in a somewhat new role. Lautaro Martinez, by now the captain, scored the first goal of the match after a nice move by Barella and Dumfries (8th minute).
Inter was the team that dominated the game and tried to get forward through their active players Dumfries and Dimarco. However, the Nerazzurri did not consistently go for the second goal, a long range shot by Dimarco next to the goal was one of the more dangerous actions (30.).
Inter had no real pressure. The visitors, with ex-Milan players d’Ambrosio and Gagliardini starting, simply did not produce enough. Sommer was largely inactive except for a harmless shot by Gagliardini (22nd).
Monza improved
This changed in the second half, as the visitors from the Milan area started more actively and the pressure on Sommer increased – Calhanoglu (48th) and Darmian (50th) also had to block decisively to prevent the equaliser.
Very little came from Inter in this phase. Dimarco’s long-range shot flew just over the goal (53.), but otherwise there was a decent scattering in the Nerazzurri’s offensive.
Arnautovic’s overhead kick leads to decision
This only changed after 67 minutes, when Arnautovic made his comeback at the Giuseppe Meazza after 13 years. The 34-year-old Austrian was an invigorating element and a little later directly involved in the decision. After a cross from the attacker, Lautaro Martinez straddled the ball at the second post (76).
The game was decided – and Inter’s start to the season was a success despite the upheaval. In the final phase, Bisseck also made his debut (84th). In injury time, Sommer saved Caprari’s shot from an acute angle to keep the score at zero.
The Nerazzurri will play again in over a week’s time at Cagliari Calcio on Monday evening (20.45). Monza already face FC Empoli on Saturday (18.30).