Inter's near-perfect start
Inter Milan began their Serie A title defense with a 4-1 victory over newly promoted Monza on Saturday, according to multiple reports. The win extended their domestic dominance, having won both the league and the cup last season under Cristian Chivu in his first year in charge.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu put Inter ahead in the sixth minute with a fierce long-range shot. Monza equalized, but the reports noted that sloppy defending for the goal highlighted why Inter signed England defenders Djed Spence and John Stones in the offseason. Stones came on late, while Spence was in the stands alongside England teammate Curtis Jones, who completed his move to Inter on Friday.
Pio Esposito, who had a breakout season last campaign, continued his form with an impressive backheel flick early in the second half to put Inter 3-1 up. Yann Bisseck added a fourth shortly afterward. Piotr Zieliński also scored for Inter, according to the reports.
Elsewhere in Italy, Como was held to a 1-1 draw at Udinese.
Mourinho's Madrid return
In Spain, José Mourinho was set to take charge of his first match back at Real Madrid, away at Espanyol, as reported by both sources. The match was scheduled for later on Saturday.
Manchester United's setback
Manchester United lost 2-0 at newly promoted Hull in the Premier League, a result that punctured preseason optimism surrounding the 20-time champions, according to the reports. Hull made a dream return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence, having been promoted via the second-tier Championship playoffs at the end of last season and widely expected to be among the relegation candidates.
First-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, both from set-pieces, secured Hull's win. The reports described United's performance as a tepid loss.
Lens and Tottenham results
In France, Lens comfortably beat Auxerre 5-2. Auxerre gave away two penalties and played most of the match with 10 men after Christ Makosso was shown a straight red card for a foul on Abadallah Sima in the 35th minute. Florian Thauvin converted both penalties — the second at the second time of asking after Auxerre goalkeeper Mamadou Diop saved the initial attempt but was off his line. All of Lens' goals, apart from Thauvin's first-half penalty, came in the second half, as noted in one of the reports.
Tottenham, one of the biggest spenders in Europe this summer with $300 million — and counting — of new players in its squad, was overwhelmed in a 3-0 defeat at Brentford.