The upheaval at Inter Milan in the summer after the defeat in the Champions League final was big. Among other things, regular keeper Onana (to ManUnited), Skriniar (PSG), Brozovic (Al-Nassr), Dzeko (Fenerbahce) and Lukaku (after a loan back to Chelsea) have left the club. Two newcomers were in the starting XI at the start of the season against Monza – both from the Bundesliga: Sommer kept the goal, Thuram started the attack. Arnautovic and German U-21 captain Bisseck were initially on the bench.
Lautaro Martinez stabs early
But then an old friend got us off to a flying start, albeit in a somewhat new role. Lautaro Martinez, meanwhile captain, completed the first good attack with ice-cold ease after a good run from Barella and Dumfries (8′).
Inter was also subsequently the game-determining team and mostly tried to come forward through their active rail players Dumfries and Dimarco. The Nerazzurri didn’t consistently go for the second goal, however, a long-range shot by Dimarco next to the goal was one of the more dangerous actions (30′).
But Inter didn’t really have any pressure. There were simply not enough of the guests, with whom the ex-Milanese d’Ambrosio and Gagliardini started. Apart from a harmless shot by Gagliardini (22nd), Sommer was largely unemployed.
Improved Monza
That changed in the second round, because the guests from the Milan suburbs started much more actively, the pressure on Sommer increased – in addition, Calhanoglu (48th) and Darmian (50th) had to block decisively to prevent the equalizer.
Very little came from Inter during this phase. Dimarco’s long-range shot flew just over the goal (53′), otherwise there was a decent spread in the Nerazzurri’s offensive.
Arnautovic’s climber initiates a decision
This only changed after 67 minutes, when Arnautovic made his comeback at Giuseppe Meazza after 13 years. The now 34-year-old Austrian was an invigorating element and a little later directly involved in the decision. After the attacker climbed over, Lautaro Martinez pushed the ball over the line at the second post (76′).
The game was decided – and the start of the season was successful for Inter despite the upheaval. Bisseck also made his debut in the closing stages (84′). In injury time, Sommer held on to the zero against Caprari’s shot from an acute angle.
The Nerazzurri continue in over a week on Monday evening (8.45 p.m.) at Cagliari Calcio. Monza meets FC Empoli on Saturday (6.30 p.m.).
