Opening Week Highlights
Inter Milan announced its title defense in emphatic style, dispatching Monza 4-1 on home soil. Hakan Çalhanoğlu opened the scoring in the sixth minute, and forward Pio Esposito added a brace that included a daring back‑heel flick, underscoring the team’s attacking flair.
The match also marked the arrival of new defensive reinforcements, with England internationals Djed Spence and John Stones featuring later in the game after completing their off‑season moves.
Across the Atlantic, Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat to Hull, ending a nine‑year Premier League absence with a disappointing performance. Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy struck from set pieces, turning the contest into a set‑piece showcase for the visitors.
In Madrid, José Mourinho returned to Real Madrid for a highly anticipated match against Espanyol, signaling the start of his second spell at the club and drawing considerable attention from fans and media alike.
In France, Lens routed Auxerre 5-2, with Florian Thauvin converting two penalties and adding multiple goals in the second half. The hosts were further hampered when Christ Makosso was sent off, leaving them with ten men for much of the game.
Tottenham’s summer spending spree failed to translate into points as the club fell to a 3-0 loss against Brentford. Despite an outlay exceeding $300 million on new players, the team could not find a rhythm, highlighting the challenges of integrating numerous signings mid‑season.