Inter Milan vs. Monza Odds: Serie A Season Opener
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New Look Inter Open up 2023-24 Season
Inter Milan have gotten some bargains in the transfer market this Summer as the Champions League finalists look to challenge in Serie A. The Nerazzurri open up the 2023-24 season by hosting fellow Lombardy club Monza. Last season, in their first-ever top-flight campaign, Monza overachieved and finished in 11th place. Monza have also added a couple of former Inter players in the transfer market this summer. As Inter Milan go for their first-ever win vs. Monza, we’ll preview the Inter vs. Monza odds.
Inter Milan vs. Monza
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Head-to-Head
Inter Milan and Monza played for the first time on their Serie A schedules last season. A last-minute Inter Milan own goal meant that Monza came away with a 2-2 draw at home. In the reverse fixture, at the San Siro, Monza managed a historic 1-0 win as Luca Caldirola scored to seal all three points. Inter Milan had 2.1 expected goals compared to Monza’s 0.7 but couldn’t find the net.
Simone Inzaghi and Inter to Build on 2022-23 Season
- Last Season: 23-3-12, 3rd Serie A
- Key Offseason Additions: GK Yann Sommer, D Yann Aurel Bisseck, M Davide Frattesi, M Juan Cuadrado, F Marcus Thuram
It’s now year three for Simone Inzaghi at Inter Milan. Inzaghi has delivered two Coppa Italia trophies to the Nerazzurri faithful, but winning Serie A is the main objective this season. Inzaghi and Inter were also remarkably close to winning the Champions League but fell 1-0 to Manchester City back in June. They finished third in the Serie A standings in 2022-23 but are the favorites to win the Scudetto this season. The Nerazzurri show +175 preseason odds to take home the title.
However, Inter have lost some key players over the Summer, including goalkeeper Andre Onana, midfielder Marcelo Brozovic and forward Edin Dzeko. Inter wasted no time signing goalkeeper Yann Sommer to replace Onana, who left for Manchester United. In fact, Inter have done an excellent job replacing all three players. They signed Italian international central midfielder Davide Frattesi from Sassuolo and French international Marcus Thuram on a free transfer.
Inter should be well-stocked for runs in all competitions they participate in this season. They’re also still looking for a striker, as Romelu Lukaku returned to Chelsea following his loan. Inter are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun, but the fee may prove too hefty. In any case, Lautaro Martinez scored 21 league goals last season. He should lead the line for Saturday’s match. Currently, the Inter vs. Monza odds price the Nerazzurri as 1.5-goal favorites.
Monza Make Loan Deals Permanent
- Last Season: 14-10-14, 11th Serie A
- Key Offseason Additions: M Roberto Gagliardini, D Danilo D’Ambrosio, D Giorgos Kyriakopoulous
AC Monza only just made their Serie A debut in 2022-23. In their debut campaign, Monza managed a double over Juventus, winning over Inter Milan and champions Napoli. They also brought in a bunch of players in their bid to stay up. It was successful, as Monza nearly finished in the top half of the table, in 11th place.
With 119 saves, goalkeeper Michele DiGregorio ranked second in the Serie A stats. Ahead of the 2023-24 season, Monza have made many of their loan deals from last season permanent. Captain and Midfielder Matteo Pessina started his career at Monza and is now at the club permanently. Monza have also brought back Pablo Mari, Andrea Petagna and Gianluca Caprari.
Under Raffaele Palladino, Monza look every bit like a side that should be in Serie A for years to come. They’ll look to avoid “second season syndrome” and build on the foundation they laid down last season. If there’s one criticism of Monza, it’s that none of their attackers were prolific last season. No Monza player managed more than six Serie A goals in 2022-23.
Match Analysis & Odds
Monza were owned by the late Silvio Berlusconi, who was at one point the owner of AC Milan and the longest-serving Prime Minister in Italy’s history, until his death in June. Last season, Berlusconi made headlines because of his bizarre statement to his players. He promised them he’d bring a bus full of sex workers into the locker room if they defeated a top Serie A side like Milan or Juventus.
Perhaps the proposition was effective, as Monza did defeat Juventus twice and went unbeaten vs. Inter Milan last season. Following Berlusconi’s death, his family are still involved with the club. This is a massive match for Monza as they’re certainly not content just to be noisy neighbors. However, the Inter vs. Monza odds price Inter Milan as -250 moneyline favorites. Inter -1.5 also comes in at +115 odds as Monza +1.5 sits at -145.
Recall that Monza did pick up an away win at Inter last season but are +600 underdogs here. Monza will certainly be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season, where they lost their first five Serie A matches. A draw would be a decent enough result for them and one shows +350 odds. Under three goals come in at -135 odds, but Inter were firing on all cylinders in preseason, where they went unbeaten and averaged over four goals per game.
