Inter's convincing defence has gone to the defense of the title:

Inter Milan secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Monza in their Serie A opener on August 22, 2026, with Croatia international Petar Sučić coming off the bench in the 54th minute. The win marked the beginning of the club’s title defense campaign, as they looked to maintain their dominance in Italian football. Goals came from Calhanoglu (6'), Varela (29'), Zielinski (48'), Esposito (55') and Bisseck (63'), ensuring a comfortable triumph for the home side. The match saw Inter take control early, with Calhanoglu opening the scoring just six minutes into the game. Monza responded quickly, equalizing through Varela in the 29th minute, but Inter regained the lead shortly after halftime. Zielinski extended the lead in the 48th minute, and the momentum shifted further in Inter's favor with Esposito’s goal five minutes later. Bisseck sealed the result in the 63rd minute, leaving Monza with little hope of mounting a comeback. Sučić, who had been a key figure for the Croatian national team earlier in the season, entered the fray in the second half and contributed to the defensive solidity that helped Inter secure the win. His presence added depth to the squad, reinforcing the belief that Inter were ready to challenge for the league title once again this year. In other matches played simultaneously, Udinese and Como both drew 1-1. Udinese took the lead through Kamara’s goal in the 29th minute, but Douvikas equalized in the 54th. For Como, Martin Baturina started the match and played the entire first half, while Ivan Smolčić made his debut in the 89th minute. Branimir Mlačić remained on the bench for Udinese throughout. Meanwhile, Napoli also began its Serie A campaign strongly, defeating Genoa 2-0 in their opening match. New manager Massimiliano Allegri guided the team to a convincing victory, with goals from De Bruyne (82') and Vergare (87'). Cagliari also claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Parma, with Romano scoring in the 79th minute. The results suggest that several top teams are off to a strong start, setting the stage for an intense and competitive season. Inter’s performance against Monza was particularly impressive, as they displayed both attacking flair and defensive discipline. With Sučić playing a crucial role in the midfield, the team appears well-prepared for the challenges ahead. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how these teams perform under pressure. Inter’s ability to dominate early in the match and maintain control throughout could be vital in securing another league title. Meanwhile, the draw between Udinese and Como highlights the unpredictable nature of the competition, where even minor mistakes can change the outcome of a match.