Probably the most fascinating match-up of the opening Serie A day pits Inter and Monza against each other at Giuseppe Meazza. An exciting all-Lombard showdown seems like a fitting way to drop the curtain on an action-packed Saturday schedule.
Inter experienced a rollercoaster 2022/23 season. Considering only one top-half side suffered more league defeats than I Nerazzurri last term, Simone Inzaghi’s men were perhaps fortunate to lock down a coveted third place. However, they found some comfort in landing a second straight Coppa Italia title.
Reaching the Champions League final for the first time since Jose Mourinho’s title-winning season in 2010 was the absolute highlight. Unfortunately for Inter, Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City side proved a tall order, as Rodri’s second-half winner crushed the Italians’ dreams.
Given an impressive European run last season, it’s odd that Inter couldn’t do more in the transfer window. With Andre Onana and Marcelo Brozovic gone, it’s up to Yann Sommer and Davide Frattesi to fill the vacancies. Marcus Thuram and Marko Arnautovic should make up for Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea and Edin Dzeko’s move to Fenerbahce.
Unlike their hosts, Monza won over the hearts of neutral supporters in their debut Serie A campaign last term. Despite finishing in the lower reaches, Raffaele Palladino’s team amassed the second-highest point haul for any top-flight debutant in Serie A history.
Their impressive 52-point tally saw them collect more points than any other newly-promoted side in Europe’s top-five leagues. It’s worth mentioning four of those points came against non-other than Inter, with Monza going unbeaten in both top-flight meetings with a more heavily fancied opposition (W1, D1).
However, Monza head into the 2023/24 campaign arguably weaker than they were last season. Standout left-back Carlos Augusto left the Brianteo to join Inter of all teams. The same goes for Stefano Sensi, who is back at Meazza after a season-long loan with I Biancorossi.
Match Preview
Inter
If you’re familiar with our Inter season preview, then you know another top-four finish is the bare minimum Inzaghi expects from his men. Much will depend on the manner in which I Nerazzurri kick things off in Serie A. Under Inzaghi’s tutelage, they’ve won both league openers, highlighting the potential for a celebratory evening at Meazza.
But Inter should approach this clash with cautious optimism. Monza stunned Meazza into silence in this corresponding fixture in 2022/23, running out 1-0 winners. That defeat served as a wake-up call for Inzaghi’s fleet, as they’ve since won all three home league games by an aggregate score of 10-4.
Player to Watch: Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez was laser-sharp in front of goal toward the end of last season, racking up seven goals and three assists from eight matches. Without Lukaku and Dzeko, Inter will need their headline forward at his best more than ever.
Monza
Monza’s traditionally sluggish league starts could curtail Palladino’s enthusiasm. They’ve failed to win any of their last three opening league games (D2, L1), including a 2-1 home loss to Torino at the beginning of 2022/23. But they are no strangers to memorable results on the road.
In addition to the abovementioned 1-0 win at Inter, Monza toppled Juventus 2-0 on the road last January. A dreadful 5-2 defeat at Atalanta on the final weekend of 2022/23 should be a stark reminder not to get ahead of themselves. Yet, before that loss, Palladino’s side had gone unbeaten on six consecutive Serie A travels (W3, D3).
Player to Watch: Patrick Ciurria
Patrick Ciurria was a revelation last season. The 28-year-old forward scored six goals and added six assists in 36 league appearances. Inter cannot take him lightly, considering they were on the receiving end of his scoring prowess in last season’s 2-2 draw at the Brianteo.
Team News
Sommer, signed to take Onana’s place in goal, is expected to make his Serie A debut. Ex-Juventus hero Juan Cuadrado is unlikely to start on the right, while Thuram might keep Martinez company in the front third. Another marquee Inter signing has a decent chance of making the starting lineup, with Frattesi tipped to slot in at the expense of Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
As for Monza, former Inter duo Roberto Gagliardini and Danilo D’Ambrosio return to Meazza as foes. Both players are likely to make Palladino’s starting XI. Dany Motta is a strong candidate to lead the line ahead of Andrea Petagna, while Gianluca Caprari should shoulder the creative burden.
Inter vs Monza Potential Lineups
Inter (3-5-2): Yann Sommer; Matteo Darmian, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicoló Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, Federico Dimarco; Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez.
Monza (3-4-2-1): Michele Di Gregorio; Danilo D’Ambrosio, Pablo Mari, Luca Caldirola; Patrick Ciurria, Roberto Gagliardini, Matteo Pessina, Giorgos Kyriakopoulos; Andrea Colpani, Gianluca Caprari; Dany Mota.
Inter vs Monza Prediction
Lightning never strikes the same place twice, or does it? Monza will believe it does, but Inter fared well in pre-season, and it’s hard to back the visitors to pull off another upset with any real conviction. Inzaghi’s men are in a perfect position to avenge last season’s heartache at Meazza.
Prediction: Inter Win
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