Inter 4-0 Genoa: Player ratings as Serie A champions make perfect start

Inter began their title defence with a commanding and comfortable 4-0 win over Genoa, handing Simone Inzaghi the perfect result to kick off his managerial career at San Siro.

The Nerazzurri couldn't have enjoyed a better start, taking the lead on six minutes through a towering Milan Skriniar header from Hakan Calhanoglu's curling corner.

Calhanoglu doubled the lead eight minutes later, carrying the ball towards the edge of the box before firing a beautiful curling strike into the corner of the net. Ivan Perisic added a third just before half-time, but his goal was ruled out for the most marginal of offside calls.

Inter then had the ball in the back of the net 10 minutes into the second half, but once again, Perisic was ruled offside in the buildup, denying Calhanoglu his second of the game with a vicious blast into the top corner.

I Nerazzurri would not be denied on 74 minutes, however, when substitute Arturo Vidal tucked home from a beautiful Nicolo Barella back-heel assist. Edin Dzeko headed in a fourth late on to round off a perfect day for Inter, wrapping up the scoring and all three points for the champions of Italy.

Let's check out the player ratings.

Inter player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Samir Handanovic (GK) - 7/10 - Should have been called into action on a couple of occasions, but Genoa's forward line had their shooting boots on back to front. A good evening's work.

Milan Skriniar (CB) - 8/10 - Broke the deadlock with a powerful header - no stopping that one. Burst forward and drove with possession, showing his superb ball-playing skills.

Stefan de Vrij (CB) - 7/10 - Flashed an early strike wide of the target. Suffered a couple of scares with the rest of the defence in the first half, but was generally always in control.

Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - 7/10 - Such composure and calm on the ball for such a young man. As vital to this backline as either of his centre-back teammates.

2. Midfielders & wing-backs

Matteo Darmian (RWB) - 7/10 - Full of beans on the right side, charging up and down to whip balls into the box and press Genoa into mistakes in their own third. Back to his best.

Nicolo Barella (CM) - 8/10 - A midfield masterclass in and out of possession. Barella's pressing set the tone for the rest of his teammates, and he provided the assist of dreams to supply Vidal for the third.

Marcelo Brozovic (CM) - 8/10 - Fizzed a low strike towards the corner of the net from range, but saw his effort parried wide for a corner. Bossed the midfield.

Stefano Sensi (CM) - 7/10 - Enjoyed his outing, bursting between the lines and finding himself in some dangerous crossing positions. Final ball occasionally let him down.

Ivan Perisic (LWB) - 7/10 - Tore his marker apart on the left, cutting in and floating some perilous crosses towards the head of Dzeko. Caught offside twice in goalscoring moves, seeing both chalked off. Tough to take.

3. Forwards

Hakan Calhanoglu (CF) - 9/10 - Bagged his first assist for the club inside six minutes, whipping a beautiful corner onto Skriniar's head. Got the crowd off its feet with a brilliant strike from outside the box.

Edin Dzeko (ST) - 8/10 - Showed nice linkup with Calhanoglu, laying the ball into the path of the Turk for his goal. Clipped the crossbar with a deflected strike. Superb header to get off the mark in black and blue.

4. Substitutes

Federico Dimarco (LWB) - 7/10

Arturo Vidal (CM) - 8/10 - Impressive after being introduced from the bench. 'The Warrior' still has plenty to offer.

Matias Vecino (CM) - 7/10

Martin Satriano (ST) - 6/10

Denzel Dumfries (RWB) - N/A