MONZA: Inter Milan outclassed Monza to chalk up a 5-1 away win in Serie A on Saturday with two goals each from Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez as they moved a provisional five points clear at the top after an exciting game with three penalties.

Inter, who are on a 14-game unbeaten streak in the league, lead the table with 51 points from 20 games ahead of second-placed Juventus who host lowly Sassuolo on Tuesday.

“Monza are a good team with good players but if we play like we did today it’ll be hard for anyone to beat us,” said Calhanoglu to Sky Sport.Inter got a quick start against Monza as Calhanoglu gave them the lead with a 12th-minute penalty, sending a low shot inside the post after the spot kick was given for handball.

Martinez, whose attempt had led to the penalty, looked disappointed at not taking it himself but the Argentine did double the lead two minutes later from close range.

Monza struggled to get out of their own half in the opening stages but came close to scoring in the 30th minute when midfielder Matteo Pessina nodded the ball home following a free kick but the goal was ruled out for an offside.

Inter continued to dominate after the break and Calhanoglu added a third on the hour mark from near the penalty spot, netting after a neat back-heel from Marcus Thuram.Pessina eventually pulled a goal back for the home side in the 69th with a spot kick but Martinez then made it 4-1 with another penalty after 84 minutes.

Thuram sealed the win for the visitors two minutes from time after a brilliant cross from Henrikh Mkhitaryan.Monza, who are 11th on 25 points from 20 games, visit relegation-threatened Empoli on Jan 21.

“You can only compliment a great team, because they were brilliant tonight,” said Monza coach Raffaele Palladino. “We lost a match against a really good side, but we need to clear our heads and just move on to the next game.”

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2024