Despite an underwhelming third-place finish last season, last year’s Champions Leaugue finalists have shown that they mean business as Inter secured all three points in a solid 2-0 win against Monza within their opening fixture of the season.
With the departure of many key players and a handful of new arrivals within the mercato, many questioned whether Inter would have the capability to compete for the title this season.
Despite the great deal of skepticism heading into the opening match, the Nerazzurri prevailed as Martinez shone on Milanese soil, snatching a brace and leading his side to a fine start to the season as they prevailed over the Biancorossi in a compact and professional display.
Martinez Breaks Ice in Home-Opener
It didn’t take Inter long to find their groove as they moved the ball around the pitch with great pace and swift passes.
The first occasion came from out-wide as Denzel Dumfries beat his marker and delivered a fine cross to find Marcus Thuram. The Frenchman’s rebound landed on the foot of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but the Armenian’s attempt went above the bar.
Shortly after within the eighth minute of play, Nicoló Barella played a beautiful ball over the top to find Dumfries out-wide after a fine interception from Stefan De Vrij to break Monza on the counter. The Dutchman beat his marker in fine fashion and delivered a brilliant low-driven cross to find Lautaro Martinez in the six-yard box.
The Argentine remained ice-cold and slipped the ball past shot-stopper Michele Di Gregorio to snatch his first of the season and hand the Nerazzurri an early advantage.
The Beneamata continued to dictate the play through the use of one-touch combinations out-wide with the centre-backs running forward, but Inter lacked the finishing touch within the final third.
Mkhitaryan found wing-back Federico Dimarco outside the box and the left-footed player fired from distance, but his attempt went narrowly wide.
The 34 year-old sliced a ball in between the lines in an attempt to connect with the Nerazzurri skipper later on, but the pass was slightly overweight, inching past the foot of Martinez as he dove forward with the hopes of directing the ball towards goal.
Towards the end of the half, Dumfries was on the break out-wide trying to ditch out a cross across the box, but Di Gregorio performed a fine stop to break the play, resulting the first half to end with Inter having only a one-goal advantage over Palladino’s side.
A Shift in Momentum for Monza
Momentum shifted within the second half as the Biancorossi caused several defensive scares for Inter. Numerous threatening crosses were delivered into the box, but a fantastic block from holding midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and excellent read of the game from De Vrij diffused the overwhelming scenarios.
Despite Inter dropping the tempo and entering a lower block, and Palladino’s side possessing more of the ball Monza failed to be clinical in front of goal.
Within the 65th minute mark, a great one-two combination between Dumfries and the Turkish midfielder enabled the Dutch wing-back to break past the Monza back-line. Despite his delivery being over-hit, an opportunity emerge at the top of the box for Dimarco, but the Italian international’s attempt went above the target.
Arnautovic Makes His Mark on Return to Inter
With Inter lacking intensity within the last twenty minutes of play, Inzaghi made a flurry of substitutions in order to bring in newcomers Juan Cuadrado, Carlos Augusto, and Marko Arnautovic in exchange for Dumfires, Dimarco, and Thuram.
Shortly after the adjustments, Inter seemed rejuvenated within the offensive phase as Cuadrado and Augusto added more pace along the flanks and began taking on defenders in one vs. one scenarios.
In the 76th minute of play, Mkhitaryan found Arnautovic into space as a counter-attack emerged. The 34 year-old former Bologna marksman shook off his marker with a fine step-over and slotted a ball across the box to find Martinez at the second post. The 25 year-old scored at ease from point-blank range, notching a brace and doubling the Nerazzurri‘s lead.
Following the second goal, Inter closed the match in a great matter as they remained in control of possession and maintained their compact defensive shape, sealing all three points against Monza.