Inter vs Monza Preview
Inter kick off a fresh Serie A season aiming to improve on an inconsistent 2022-23 campaign, in which they also lifted two trophies and came so close to glory on the European stage.
Despite losing no fewer than 12 times in Serie A last season, Inter excelled in knockout competitions; retaining the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana before coming within a whisker of winning the Champions League for the first time since 2010.
Simone Inzaghi's side saw off city rivals Milan in both the Supercoppa and Champions League semi-finals, but a memorable year ultimately ended with bitter defeat to Manchester City in Istanbul.
Since reconvening earlier this summer, Inter have bid goodbye to several stars of their European run, as Andre Onana, Marcelo Brozovic, Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku have all departed for pastures new, along with veteran goalkeeper and club captain Samir Handanovic.
Davide Frattesi, Marcus Thuram, Marko Arnautovic and ex-Monza wing-back Carlos Augusto are among the fresh faces at San Siro, so Inzaghi has some new options to consider for selection this weekend, when his men host Lombardy neighbours in their Serie A opener.
Inter - who beat both Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig during a largely successful pre-season - have won their opening league fixture in each of the last four years and are unbeaten for 10 years in their first home match; however, they have yet to get the better of Monza since the Biancorossi made their bow in the Italian top flight.
In 2022-23, only Monza and Juventus denied the Nerazzurri victory across both league games, as a 2-2 draw at the Brianteo was followed by a famous 1-0 win for the visitors in Milan.