European football: Inter start title defence with rout of promoted Monza

<ul><li><p>Second-half Esposito and Bisseck goals seal 4-1 win</p></li><li><p>Thauvin scores two as Lens put five past Auxerre</p></li></ul><p><strong>Inter</strong> kicked off their ⁠Serie A title defence with a 4-1 home win against ⁠<strong>Monza</strong>, ​after the promoted side recovered from conceding an early ⁠goal to go in level at the break before the ⁠champions turned on the style.</p><p>Hakan Calhanoglu ​put Inter ahead ‌in the ‌sixth minute, but the hosts were ‌far too complacent after taking the lead and Gustavo Varela equalised for the visitors just before the half-hour. Inter began the second half as ‌they had the first, with Piotr Zielinski scoring three minutes ​after the break, before Pio Esposito and Yann Bisseck wrapped up the win for Cristian Chivu’s side.</p><p><em>This story will be updated</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/22/european-football-inter-napoli-real-madrid">Continue reading...</a>