Inter crushed Torino 5-0 in their Serie A opener at San Siro, with goals from Bastoni, Thuram, Lautaro, and debutant Bonny. Cristian Chivu’s side dominated from start to finish, sending a clear warning to rivals Napoli, Juventus, and Roma in the fight for the Scudetto.
Inter started their Serie A campaign in truly spectacular fashion on Monday night, dismantling Torino with a 5-0 victory at the iconic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. It was the kind of performance that not only delighted the home supporters but also served as an early warning to every rival in the Italian top flight: Inter mean business this season.
The Nerazzurri, who finished last season as runners-up both domestically and in Europe, wasted no time in laying down a marker. From the very first whistle, they played with intensity and precision, suffocating Torino with aggressive pressing, quick ball recoveries, and rapid transitions from defense to attack. Torino, usually praised for their organization under Ivan Jurić, were completely outclassed and overwhelmed by Inter’s pace and variety in the final third.
The breakthrough arrived after just 18 minutes when Alessandro Bastoni climbed highest to meet a corner, thundering a header past Franco Israel. The Uruguayan goalkeeper, formerly of Sporting Lisbon, endured a nightmare evening, and though he could not be faulted for all of the goals, he was constantly exposed by a backline that simply could not cope with the speed and movement of Inter’s forwards. The first goal lifted the crowd, and from then on it was clear that more were coming.
The second goal highlighted Inter’s lethal efficiency in open play. In the 36th minute, midfielder Susic threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Marcus Thuram, who timed his run to perfection. The Frenchman’s low cross-shot arrowed into the corner, giving Inter a 2-0 advantage at the break. At halftime, Torino already looked beaten, while Inter walked down the tunnel to rapturous applause, knowing the match was firmly under control.
The second half only underlined the gulf in class. Seven minutes after the restart, Lautaro Martínez, ever the opportunist, pounced on a defensive misunderstanding to make it 3-0. The Argentine captain was at his sharpest, constantly pressing and dragging defenders out of position, embodying the leadership role that has made him indispensable to Inter’s plans. Then, in the 62nd minute, Thuram struck again. His second goal of the night demonstrated his finishing instinct and growing chemistry with Lautaro a partnership that could prove decisive in Inter’s quest for silverware this season.
By this stage, Torino had collapsed completely, and Inter’s substitutes were eager to join the party. The biggest cheer of the night came in the 72nd minute when Bonny, the young French debutant, marked his Serie A bow with a goal. Set up by Lautaro, he calmly slotted home Inter’s fifth of the evening, sealing a scoreline that perfectly reflected their superiority. For Bonny, it was a dream debut; for Inter, it was confirmation that even the next generation is ready to contribute immediately.
Cristian Chivu could not have wished for a better start to life as Inter’s new head coach. The Romanian, a beloved former defender at the club, was appointed with the task of guiding Inter through a transitional phase while maintaining their competitiveness at the top. His tactical plan worked to perfection on opening night: the team was compact at the back, ruthless going forward, and clinical in finishing their chances. The win was not only emphatic but also symbolic, as it reaffirmed the faith the club had placed in him.
The wider Serie A context makes Inter’s victory even more significant. Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Napoli, Juventus, Roma, Cremonese, and even newly promoted Como all secured victories, ensuring that the fight at the top will be fierce. Yet none of those wins carried the same weight or dominance as Inter’s demolition of Torino. By scoring five without reply, Inter immediately claimed the top spot in the table on goal difference, a psychological boost that could be crucial in a league often decided by the smallest of margins.
Torino, meanwhile, will have much soul-searching to do. Their defensive frailties were brutally exposed, and their midfield struggled to compete with Inter’s energy and creativity. The gulf between a side chasing European places and one aiming for the Scudetto was brutally laid bare. For Franco Israel, it was a baptism of fire in Serie A, and though he could do little about most of the goals, his lack of command in the penalty area will surely worry Torino’s coaching staff.
Earlier in the day, Udinese and Verona played out a more balanced 1-1 draw in Udine. Danish defender Thomas Kristensen put the hosts ahead in the 53rd minute, only for German midfielder Suat Serdar to level for Verona twenty minutes later. While entertaining, that match could not compare to the fireworks in Milan.
The night, however, belonged entirely to Inter. Their control of the game from start to finish, their defensive discipline, their midfield fluidity, and the devastating edge provided by Lautaro and Thuram left no doubt: this is a side built to challenge for the Scudetto. Fans left the Meazza with smiles and chants, already dreaming that Cristian Chivu’s reign could deliver the domestic glory they have craved.
In a league where consistency is everything, Inter’s explosive start has set the tone. One game does not make a season, but thrashing Torino 5-0 is the kind of opening statement that sends shockwaves across Italy. With Napoli defending their crown, Juventus rebuilding, and Roma and Milan eager to compete, Serie A promises to be fiercely contested. Yet on the first matchday, Inter stood tallest, their message clear: the road to the title will have to go through them.
