Calha and Pio score, Chivu hugs Stones: Inter vs. Monza in five moments

Inter’s new season is officially underway. A sunny day at a packed San Siro, with the Nerazzurri fans eagerly awaiting the return of their champions. After a summer of anticipation and the Scudetto celebrations that marked their farewell in May, the fans were finally back in the stands to cheer on their team. Inter marked the occasion with a 4-1 win over a determined Monza side, who eventually could not keep up with the pressure of Chivu’s squad after the break. Four different goalscorers, sensational quality, and plenty of entertainment for the Nerazzurri faithful. The first three points are in the bag, along with the hugs and smiles at full time and the feeling that the season has got off to the perfect start. Now there lies a long and action-packed campaign ahead.

Let’s look back at Inter vs. Monza through five key moments, five snapshots that captured the opening day of the league season.

KICK-OFF

The referee brings the whistle to his lips and signals the start of the new league season. It is the moment when focus sharpens, and concentration peaks on the pitch, in the stands, and on the sofa in front of the TV. The moment when more than a month of preparation finally comes to life on the pitch, and the familiar feeling of competition returns, along with those butterflies before a match with three points at stake. The stadium fills with the fans’ chants, thousands of voices merging into one incredible roar to spur the team on at the dawn of a new season. Inter vs. Monza is underway, and so is the 2026/27 Serie A season.

THE FIRST GOAL OF THE NEW SEASON

It took Hakan Calhanoglu just six minutes to open his account for the new season. Six minutes of patient build-up, possession, and the slower tempo typical of August football, when legs are still heavy from pre-season work. Not Calha, though: six minutes lying in wait, ready to pounce, before striking in the blink of an eye. A rocket, so powerful and sudden that it was almost unexpected, even though Hakan has treated us to this kind of finish time and time again over the years. The Turkish international didn’t hesitate when Diouf’s lay-off came his way. Arriving on the run, he got himself set and let his magical right foot do the rest. His thunderous strike was followed by an eruption inside San Siro, a roar of joy that Calha hadn’t heard since 21 April, his last competitive appearance for Inter, when he inspired the Nerazzurri with a brace in that memorable Coppa Italia semi-final against Como. He picked up right where he left off. The goal was also significant from a statistical standpoint, taking him into the group of players with at least 60 goals and 60 assists in Serie A since the start of the last decade: Calha now has 60 goals and 62 assists. He has also become one of just three midfielders to have scored more than 20 goals in Serie A from both outside the box (21) and inside it (27) since records for this statistic began in 2004/05. Just six minutes into the new season, he had already unleashed a long-range rocket, sent the Meazza into a frenzy and brought back that joy and wonder that only one of his goals can create.

PIO’S BACKHEEL

Esposito’s game was a constant battle. With his back to goal, he fought for position, battled for every ball, held off defenders, and brought his teammates into play. Pio never stopped working to help the team move up the pitch. Against an intense, physical Monza side who had managed to level the score, the Nerazzurri striker never lost belief, knowing that his moment would come sooner or later. The moment to turn all that hard work into a goal, and to show his strength in front of the Curva after using it to keep his opponents at bay. It came in the 55th minute, when Diouf raced down the right and burst into the box. Pio may be young, but he knows that area like the back of his hand: he used his strength to get into position, read where the ball was heading and prepared to produce something special. Andy’s cross was slightly behind him, but Pio improvised brilliantly, using his right heel to steer the ball into the net. A golazo that was every bit as spectacular as it was important, giving Inter a two-goal lead after an evenly balanced first half. His celebratory roar was echoed by the Nerazzurri fans, who were taking in a moment of magic that could well go down as one of the goals of the season.

WELCOME, JOHN!

Fifteen minutes to soak in the feeling of playing at San Siro in an Inter shirt for the first time. The 75th minute marked the moment John Stones first set foot on the Meazza pitch, receiving a warm welcome from his new fans. But the first and most powerful message of welcome came from Cristian Chivu: just before the substitution, the Nerazzurri coach pulled the English defender into a heartfelt embrace, giving way to a beautiful and meaningful moment. It was the perfect way to welcome a player who has spent his entire life in England and is now ready to take his first steps into a new chapter with the Nerazzurri family. The emotion was clear to see in John’s eyes as he made his way onto the pitch. A few minutes later, it was Aleksandar Stankovic’s turn to fulfil his dream of making his San Siro debut in an Inter shirt, following in his father’s footsteps. An emotional end to the game filled with firsts, played out in a celebratory atmosphere beneath the San Siro sunset.

ANDY DIOUF, MVP OF INTER VS. MONZA

Among the biggest smiles at the end of the match was Andy Diouf’s. After an impressive pre-season, the Frenchman delivered an outstanding performance against Monza: a constant threat down the right flank with his pace and dribbling, he also played a decisive role by providing two assists for Calhanoglu and Pio Esposito. A visibly delighted Diouf received the Man of the Match award, celebrating with smiles and hugs alongside Marcus Thuram. It was recognition for his excellent performance and commitment, with Andy himself revealing that he had spoken at length with Chivu about how to get the best out of himself in his role on the right.