Inter Milan experienced a more difficult game than anticipated against Monza in Serie A. Despite falling behind 2-0, with one goal being a spectacular strike from Keita Balde Diao, Inter managed to rally and win 3-2. Goals for Inter were scored by Marko Arnautovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Lautaro Martinez.
Coming into the match, Inter was confident after a strong draw against Napoli and a 2-0 away victory against Feyenoord in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. However, injuries to key players like Federico Dimarco, Nicola Zalewski, and Matteo Darmian, along with Carlos Augusto and Yann Sommer only being fit enough for the bench, forced Alessandro Bastoni to play as a makeshift left wing-back again. Monza was also dealing with several absences, including Luca Caldirola, Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, Patrick Ciurria, Andrea Carboni, Stefano Sensi, and Roberto Gagliardini. Interestingly, Monza’s squad featured former Inter players Keita Balde Diao, Danilo D’Ambrosio, Matteo Pessina, and Kevin Maussi Martins.
Monza initially put pressure on Inter, with Keita and Bianco shooting wide. Inter’s Marko Arnautovic had a header saved by Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati. A Lautaro Martinez goal from a rebound was disallowed for handball.
Monza surprisingly took the lead when Samuele Birindelli scored after a clever back-heel pass from Dany Mota Carvalho. Shortly after, Keita Balde extended Monza’s lead with a stunning curler into the top corner, marking his 30th birthday in style.
Just before halftime, Arnautovic managed to pull a goal back for Inter, reducing Monza’s lead to 2-1.
In the second half, Inter intensified their efforts. Calhanoglu equalized with a powerful low volley after a header down from Yann Bisseck. Later, Lautaro Martinez scored a diving header from a Carlos Augusto cross to put Inter ahead 3-2, although the goal was later credited as an own goal by Kyriakopoulos.
Despite Inter’s comeback, Marcus Thuram missed a golden opportunity to extend the lead, hitting the post from close range. Turati made another excellent save to deny Calhanoglu. In the end, Inter held on to win 3-2 in a hard-fought match.
Match Result: Inter 3-2 Monza
Goals: Birindelli 32′ (M), Keita Balde 44′ (M), Arnautovic 45+1′ (I), Calhanoglu 64′ (I), Kyriakopoulos og 77′ (I)
Key Match Stats:
- Possession: Inter 69% – Monza 31%
- Total Shots: Inter 30 – Monza 8
- Shots on Target: Inter 9 – Monza 4
- Corners: Inter 13 – Monza 1
- Fouls: Inter 8 – Monza 7
Starting Lineups:
Inter: Josep Martínez, Alessandro Bastoni, Benjamin Pavard (Carlos Augusto 46′), Francesco Acerbi, Stefan de Vrij (Yann Bisseck 46′), Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Kristjan Asllani 70′), Nicolò Barella, Lautaro Martínez, Marko Arnautovic (Marcus Thuram 70′).
Monza: Stefano Turati, Armando Izzo (Andrea Carboni 87′), Danilo D’Ambrosio, Georgios Kyriakopoulos, Samuele Birindelli (Warren Bondo 86′), Alessandro Bianco, Gaetano Castrovilli (Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro 67′), Kevin Zeroli, Pedro Pereira, Dany Mota (Alessio Zerbin 66′), Keita Baldé.