MILAN, Aug 22: New Inter Milan signing Hakan Çalhanoğlu scored one goal and set up another as the Nerazzurri got their Serie A title defense off to a winning start with a 4-0 victory at home to Genoa on Saturday.
Çalhanoğlu, who joined from city rival AC Milan on a free transfer, set up Milan Škriniar’s early opener and doubled Inter’s tally in the 14th minute. Arturo Vidal effectively sealed the victory in the 74th before Edin Džeko opened his league account for Inter in the final minutes.
Inter also hit the crossbar and had a goal ruled out as the Nerazzurri showed that critics might have been too quick to write off their chances of retaining the title.
Inter won its first title since 2010 last season — ending Juventus’ nine-year grip on the title — but shortly after Antonio Conte left and the club had to sell two of its top players in Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi.
Inzaghi replaced Conte as coach and steered his new side to victory in his first game in charge.
Juventus visits Udinese on Sunday, while AC Milan plays at Sampdoria on Monday.
Inzaghi’s replacement at Lazio, Maurizio Sarri, also got off to a winning start after bouncing back from an early scare to win 3-1 at newly promoted Empoli.
After finishing third in the past three seasons, Atalanta is looking to again challenge for the title and goals at either end of the match saw it win 2-1 at Torino.
Luis Muriel scored in the sixth minute but Torino looked to have earned a well-deserved point when Andrea Belotti’s effort was deflected in with 11 minutes remaining.
However, substitute Roberto Piccoli snatched a late winner in stoppage time.
Also, Sassuolo won 3-2 at 10-man Hellas Verona, which almost managed an extraordinary comeback. (AP)
