Inter Milan maintained their perfect record in the Serie A title defense with a narrow 1-0 victory over Cagliari on Sunday, propelled by an early goal from Hakan Calhanoglu. The match, held in Sardinia, showcased Inter's dominance in the first half, but also highlighted their struggles with finishing as they managed to convert only one of their numerous opportunities.
Calhanoglu, the Turkish midfielder, opened the scoring just nine minutes into the match. His first-time strike from the edge of the box not only marked his second goal in as many games but also set a confident tone for the defending champions. Despite their early lead, Inter faced a series of challenges as Cagliari's goalkeeper Elia Caprile made several crucial saves, and the home side's defense held firm against Inter's persistent attacks.
Throughout the first half, Inter Milan dominated possession and created multiple chances, but their inability to extend the lead became a point of concern. After the break, players like Lautaro Martinez, Francesco Pio Esposito, and Alessandro Bastoni all failed to capitalize on promising opportunities, leaving the scoreline precariously close.
In a surprising turn, Cagliari began to threaten an equalizer in the dying moments of the match, forcing Inter to defend vigorously. Cristian Chivu, Inter's coach, expressed his relief after the game, acknowledging the team's struggles to close out the match. "These are your classic games where if you don’t close them out, you can run into trouble," he told Sky Italia. He also reflected on the team's performance, stating, "If there is one regret, it is not finishing off the many chances we had."
Despite the missed opportunities, Inter's victory propelled them to the top of the Serie A table, ahead of AC Milan, Juventus, and Lazio, all on goal difference after two matches. Meanwhile, Lazio also secured a win against Genoa, thanks to a goal from summer signing Davide Frattesi, marking a strong start to their campaign.
In other Serie A action, Como achieved a notable upset by defeating Napoli 2-1, ruining Massimiliano Allegri's home debut as Napoli's coach. Como's Martin Baturina scored first, followed by a response from Rasmus Hojlund for Napoli, but Anastasios Douvikas netted the winner for Como shortly after. Cesc Fabregas, Como's coach, expressed pride in his team's performance and emphasized the need for additional signings to bolster their squad ahead of a demanding season.
The second round of the Serie A season will conclude on Monday with Roma facing Lecce and Atalanta hosting Bologna, as teams continue to vie for early points in the competitive league.
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