Rome (AFP)

Inter Milan, reigning champion forced to reinvent himself after the departures of Antonio Conte, Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi, immediately reassured his supporters, back in San Siro, by easily dominating Genoa (4-0) Saturday at the opening of the season.

His two flagship recruits, Hakan Calhanoglu and Edin Dzeko, stood out from the start with a goal and an assist each in a match made simple by a great start.

This first day, which continues until Monday evening, marks the return of supporters to Italian stadiums, on presentation of the health pass and in a maximum limit limited to 50%, after a season almost 100% behind closed doors.

Faced with the 25,000 to 30,000 tifosi back in the legendary Milanese stadium, a first since February 2020 and the start of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, the new indoor coach Simone Inzaghi could not hope for a better start, for him as for his Calhanoglu recruits. and Dzeko.

The Turk, in a stadium he attended in recent seasons with the rival AC Milan shirt, took only a quarter of an hour to be adopted by the nerazzurri fans: he first offered the first goal for Milan Skriniar (6th) before quickly doubling the goal of a missile which left no chance for the new goalkeeper of Genoa Salvatore Sirigu (14th).

Inter rookie Turkish Hakan Calhanoglu after his goal against Genoa in San Siro on August 21, 2021 MIGUEL MEDINA AFP

The Bosnian, who arrived from Roma, with the immense task of filling the immense void left by Romelu Lukaku, first hit the bar (24th) then found Sirigu on a header at close range (71st).

- Return of Sarri -

But Dzeko was then involved on the 3-0, his shot rejected by Sirigu being converted by the returning Arturo Vidal (74th) after a skilful heel from Nicolo Barella.

And the Bosnian himself concluded this flamboyant opening with a winning header (87th)!

"We started very well. I thank all the tifosi, I already feel that they are already all behind me", welcomed "Calha".

Not all matches will be as simple as that against a Genoa who was too shy at the start and too clumsy on his few occasions.

But Inter is proving that, despite its big financial difficulties which led to the departures of Conte and two iconic players from the 19th scudetto, in May, they have arguments to make to defend their crown.

Juve, dethroned last season by the Nerazzurri after nine consecutive titles, launches their reconquest on Sunday on the lawn of Udinese.

It will be with Cristiano Ronaldo, left to remain in bianconero despite rumors of transfers, assured Saturday the coach of Juve Massimiliano Allegri.

"Max" Allegri, who returned to bring Juve back to the top, however warned of a complicated game against Udinese and called for "a solid and technical performance, with great patience".

Before Allegri and Mourinho, expected for his part on Sunday evening on the bench of Roma against Fiorentina, Serie A was to find another return on Saturday evening, Maurizio Sarri.

The former coach of Naples and Juventus is responsible for relieving Lazio Rome, traveling for his debut on the lawn of Empoli, club where his atypical career had taken off.

© 2021 AFP