Inter thrash Monza to launch Serie A title defence

Inter Milan kicked off the defence of their Serie A title in emphatic fashion on Saturday, cruising to a 4-1 home victory over promoted Monza. The reigning Italian champions needed just six minutes to break the deadlock when Hakan Calhanoglu blasted in from distance. Monza, back in the top flight after a season in Serie B, levelled through Gustavo Varela in the 29th minute. Inter restored their advantage shortly after the restart, with Piotr Zielinski finding the net in the 48th minute.  Pio Esposito, preferred in the starting line-up to Marcus Thuram, made it 3-1 eight minutes later with an inventive backheel finish from Andy Diouf's cross. Yann Bisseck completed the scoring in the 63rd minute as Inter underlined their status as clear favourites to retain the Scudetto. John Stones, one of three England internationals signed by Inter during the close season, made his debut after coming on as a substitute. "We were a bit rusty during the first half, a bit too frantic as well," Inter coach Cristian Chivu told DAZN. "We regained our calm and clarity after the break." Napoli, who finished runners-up to Inter last season, struck two late goals to brush aside Genoa 2-0 and get new coach Massimiliano Allegri off to a winning start. Allegri, a six-time Serie A winner as a coach, is looking to make a statement after being dismissed by AC Milan following just one season in charge. Napoli had to wait until the 82nd minute to break the deadlock through Kevin De Bruyne, who swung the game his team's way after coming on as a second-half substitute. The Belgium international, who missed a large chunk of his first season in Naples with a hamstring injury, then set up Antonio Vergara to add a second to wrap up the points. "De Bruyne is an extraordinary guy. He does things that are simply different from everyone else," Allegri told Sky Sport. "He sees things that others do not see. There are very few players at that level." Last season's surprise package Como needed a second-half equaliser from Greece forward Tasos Douvikas to earn a 1-1 draw at Udinese. Como will play in the Champions League for the first time next month after finishing fourth under Cesc Fabregas. Cagliari won 1-0 at Parma courtesy of Alessandro Romano's goal 11 minutes from time. Milan and Juventus, both seeking redemption after disappointing campaigns and further summer overhauls, begin their league seasons on Sunday against Torino and Frosinone respectively.