Inter reach rare milestone in Serie A

Italy Inter won both opening matches of Serie A for the first time in five consecutive seasons, beating hosts Cagliari 2-0 in the second round on August 28.

At the Sardegna Arena, Inter were slightly better with 67% possession, 17 shots with three on target, compared to Cagliari's 12 and 2. In the 14th minute, Lautaro Martinez threatened the home goal with a left-footed volley that hit the post.

Lautaro in a finishing move in the 2-0 win over home team Cagliari on August 28. Photo: inter.it — Lautaro in a finishing move in the 2-0 win over home team Cagliari on August 28. Photo: *inter.it*

Inter didn't have to regret it for long as they took the lead seven minutes later. New signing Marcus Thuram dribbled outside the box and passed the ball to Denzel Dumfries, who ran in to finish a one-touch cross just beyond the reach of goalkeeper Boris Radunovic. Marcus Thuram made his first Serie A assist, 17 years and 282 days after his father Lilian Thuram's last in the competition - the pass for David Trezeguet to score against AS Roma on 19 November 2005.

Inter sealed the game in the 30th minute, when Martinez met Federico Dimarco's pass, feinted past two Cagliari players and fired home to seal a 2-0 win. The Argentine moved level with Olivier Giroud and Victor Osimhen at the top of the scoring charts with three goals after netting a brace in the opening 2-0 home win over Monza.

For the first time in history, Inter have won both of their opening Serie A games in five consecutive seasons. Their achievements in the last four seasons have been third place in 2022-23, second in 2021-22, champions in 2020-21 and second in 2019-20.

Inter are one of four teams to have kept a winning streak in Serie A this season, along with Verona, AC Milan and defending champions Napoli. In the next round on September 3, Inter return to their home stadium to take on Fiorentina.

Main developments of the match Cagliari 0-2 Inter on August 28.

This summer, Inter said goodbye to many key players such as Romelu Lukaku, Edin Dzeko, Andre Onana, Milan Skriniar and recruited Thuram, Alexis Sanchez, Yann Sommer, Juan Cuadrado and most likely Benjamin Pavard from Bayern.

After the win over Cagliari, when asked if this season's squad is stronger than last season, coach Simone Inzaghi replied: "That's what we hope. The club has said goodbye to many important players, changed 10 members of the team, but Inter is still an organized team with tactical principles. Those are good signs for a coach."

Line-up :

Cagliari : Radunovic; Zappa (Shomurodov 85), Dossena, Obert, Augello; Nandez, Makoubou, Sulemana (Deiola 85), Jankto (Azzi 60); Pavoletti (Luvumbo 35), Oristanio (Di Pardo 46).

Inter : Sommer; Darmian, Stefan de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries (Cuadrado 71), Barella (Frattesi 71), Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan (Sensi 82), Dimarco (Augusto 71); Thuram (Arnautovic 77), Martinez.

Hong Duy

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