Champions Inter Blitz Monza as Olise Fires Bayern to Supercup Glory

Inter launched their Serie A title defence in emphatic fashion, dismantling newly promoted Monza 4-1 at the San Siro after a brief first-half wobble that momentarily hinted at an upset. Hakan Calhanoglu put the champions ahead in just the sixth minute, but Inter grew complacent and were punished when Gustavo Varela equalised for the visitors shortly before the half-hour, sending the sides in level at the break. Whatever Cristian Chivu said at the interval clearly worked. Inter re-emerged with far greater urgency, and Piotr Zielinski restored the lead within three minutes of the restart. The floodgates then opened, with Pio Esposito adding a third and Yann Bisseck wrapping up a victory that underlined Inter's status as the team to beat in Italy this season. The drama was not confined to the peninsula. In Germany, Bayern Munich claimed the first silverware of the campaign, edging Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Supercup with Michael Olise leading the charge. The French winger's match-winning performance was another reminder of his growing influence - and with the FIFA World Cup 2026 looming, his timing could hardly be better. There was late drama in Naples, too, where Kevin De Bruyne scored as Napoli struck late to see off Genoa. The Belgian, beginning a new chapter of his career in Serie A, showed the kind of big-game pedigree that has defined his career - form his national team will dearly hope travels with him to North America next summer. For neutrals and national-team scouts alike, this opening weekend carried extra weight in a World Cup year. Calhanoglu's precision from midfield, Olise's flair on the wing and De Bruyne's enduring creativity are exactly the qualities that decide tournaments, and all three were on display as Europe's elite hit the ground running. According to Guardian Football, these results set the tone for what promises to be a captivating season - one that will build relentlessly toward the biggest stage of all in June 2026, when the world's best players converge on the United States, Canada and Mexico. If the opening weekend is any guide, the stars of Serie A and the Bundesliga intend to arrive at the World Cup in full flight.