Turkish star Hakan Çalhanoğlu's early strike helped Inter Milan stay perfect in its Serie A title defense with a 1-0 win at Cagliari Sunday, while Como beat Napoli 2-1 to spoil Massimiliano Allegri’s home debut.
Çalhanoğlu guided home a first-time strike from the edge of the box after nine minutes to make it two goals in two games and set the tone for a first half dominated by the champions in Sardinia.
A combination of wayward finishing and fine goalkeeping from Elia Caprile kept the scoreline close at halftime, and Inter's profligacy continued after the break as Lautaro Martinez, Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni squandered good chances.
England international Curtis Jones made his debut from the bench in the second half, but Inter's lack of composure in front of goal almost came back to bite them as Cagliari threatened a shock equalizer with a flurry of late chances.
Cristian Chivu's side ended the game with 29 shots on the board and only one goal to show for them, but it was enough to send them top of the table after two games, ahead of AC Milan, Juventus and Lazio on goal difference.
