Inter reach a rare milestone in Serie A.

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

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

Lautaro with a shot during the 2-0 victory against Cagliari on August 28th. Photo: inter.it — Lautaro with a shot during the 2-0 victory against Cagliari on August 28th. 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 penalty area and threaded a pass to Denzel Dumfries, who finished with a one-touch diagonal shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Boris Radunovic. Marcus Thuram recorded his first assist in Serie A, 17 years and 282 days after his father Lilian Thuram's last assist in the league – a pass to David Trezeguet for a goal against AS Roma on November 19, 2005.

Inter sealed the match in the 30th minute when Martinez received a pass from Federico Dimarco, feinted past two Cagliari players, and finished into the near corner to make it 2-0. The Argentinian striker moved to the top of the goalscoring charts with three goals, level with Olivier Giroud and Victor Osimhen, after scoring a brace in the opening 2-0 home win against Monza.

For the first time in history, Inter have won both of their Serie A opening matches in five consecutive seasons. Their previous achievements in the four seasons were third place in 2022-2023, second place in 2021-2022, championship in 2020-2021, and second place in 2019-2020.

Inter is one of four teams maintaining a perfect winning streak in Serie A this season, alongside Verona, AC Milan, and reigning champions Napoli. In the next round on September 3rd, Inter will return home to host Fiorentina.

Key events of the Cagliari 0-2 Inter match on August 28th.

This summer, Inter parted ways with several key players such as Romelu Lukaku, Edin Dzeko, Andre Onana, and Milan Skriniar, while recruiting Thuram, Alexis Sanchez, Yann Sommer, Juan Cuadrado, and likely Benjamin Pavard from Bayern.

After the victory against Cagliari, when asked whether the squad this season was stronger than last season, coach Simone Inzaghi replied: "That's what we hope for. The club has parted ways with many important players, changed 10 members of the team, but Inter is still a well-organized team with tactical principles. Those are good signs for a coach."

Starting lineup :

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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