European football weekend roundup: Inter, Napoli, Bayern Munich and Sevilla secure victories

Inter kicked off their Serie A title defence with a 4-1 home win against Monza, after the promoted side recovered from conceding an early goal to go in level at the break before the champions turned on the style.

Hakan Calhanoglu put Inter ahead in the sixth minute, but the hosts were far too complacent after taking the lead and Gustavo Varela equalised for the visitors just before the half-hour. Inter began the second half as they had the first, with Piotr Zielinski scoring three minutes after the break, before Pio Esposito and Yann Bisseck wrapped up the win for Cristian Chivu’s side.

The England defender John Stones came on to make his Inter debut, with compatriots and fellow recent signings Djed Spence and Curtis Jones watching on at San Siro.

Last season’s surprise package Como needed a second-half equaliser from Greece forward Tasos Douvikas to earn a 1-1 draw at Udinese. Como will play in the Champions League for the first time next month after finishing fourth under Cesc Fàbregas.

Napoli, now managed by Massimiliano Allegri after Antonio Conte’s departure, led the table for the early part of last season before finishing 11 points behind Inter, and risked playing catch-up from the off this time around. Genoa were much the better side in the opening half, as Napoli struggled to create chances.

Vitinha fired narrowly wide early on for the hosts and another effort was straight at the goalkeeper Alex Meret. Scott McTominay tried his luck from distance after the break but it smacked of desperation from Napoli, the shot easily gathered by the Genoa keeper Justin Bijlow.

Then came Allegri’s triple change midway through the second half, sending on Kevin De Bruyne, Antonio Vergara and Noa Lang. De Bruyne played a one-two with Vergara before rifling his shot past Bijlow from just outside the six-yard area to put Napoli ahead eight minutes from time and the pair combined again to settle the match five minutes later.

De Bruyne played a cross into the box which found its way to Vergara and, although his shot was blocked by defender Sebastian Otoa, the ball trickled over the line to complete a 2-0 victory. Elsewhere, Alessandro Romano’s goal 10 minutes from time earned Cagliari all three points at Parma.

Bayern Munich, last season’s domestic double winners, battled past hosts Borussia Dortmund 2-1 thanks to a goal and an assist from Michael Olise to win the German Supercup.

A week before the Bundesliga season starts, Bayern struck twice in a largely one-sided first half, with new signing Nathaniel Brown rifling in after 28 minutes on his competitive debut with the club and France international Olise, who had set up the first goal, scoring in first-half stoppage time.

The Bavarian side were without Jamal Musiala, who revealed this week he was suffering from a “neurological dysfunction” after collapsing in their two previous friendlies. Dortmund enjoyed a strong start to the second half with their new Greek signings, Giannis Konstantelias and Konstantinos Karetsas, both coming close.

They did cut the deficit in the 75th minute when Fábio Silva slotted in afteer a quick three-pass move but could not find an equaliser.

Dortmund were left with 10 men when Ramy Bensebaini was sent off with a straight red card for a foul on the Bayern substitute Ismael Saibari in the 90th before Dortmund’s Alexander Beier fired over the bar from close range deep in stoppage time. The Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday with Bayern hosting Stuttgart.

The Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick, said his new signing Rodri would not be involved in the Spanish champions’ La Liga opener against Elche on Sunday. The former Manchester City midfielder may be able to take part in their second match, against Athletic Bilbao, on Thursday. “He’s very concentrated, focused, our plan is that he will arrive on Monday with the team,” Flick said. “This is the plan. He’s a fantastic player, a leader, and his personality is very great.”

Oso inspired Sevilla to a 3-1 win at Athletic Bilbao who had defender Yuri Berchiche sent off after just 11 minutes. Oso took quick advantage of Sevilla’s numerical advantage when he opened the scoring in the 15th minute and further goals from Chidera Ejuke and Isaac Romero, set up by Oso, sealed the win after the break.

Valencia and Celta Vigo played out a goalless draw. Real Madrid’s season opener is later on Saturday, with José Mourinho’s second spell in charge starting at Espanyol.

In France, the Lens captain, Florian Thauvin, scored two penalties as his side thumped Auxerre 5-2 in their first game of the Ligue 1 season. Thauvin converted from the spot either side of the break, while Auxerre defender Christ Makosso was sent off in the first half for a foul on Abdallah Sima.