20' Sirigu is forced to intervene with a flying fist, as Perisic's cross from deep on the left flank dips dangerously under the Genoa bar. Inter are dictating events once more.

18' Genoa look a little shellshocked - understandably - so try to keep possession in their own half for a spell. Inter are pressing them well though, so they are struggling to break out.

E. Džeko

Assist

15' Debutant Dzeko played his part in the build-up for Calhanoglu's goal, laying the ball off to give the Turkish playmaker time to strike.

H. Çalhanoğlu

Goal

14' INTER FIND A SECOND! Calhanoglu finds himself in space and fires home with precision from just outside the box to give the champions a two-goal lead. They have begun this season as they finished the last - like a train! Inter 2-0 Genoa.

10' The Inter tifosi may be reduced in number but are still in full voice, as Barella and Calhanoglu combine to tee up a Brozovic right-footer from the edge of the box. His driven shot is tipped wide by Sirigu!

8' A rare chance to relieve the pressure as Genoa break, but Kallon scuffs his effort well wide of the right post - the Grifone's first attempt.

H. Çalhanoğlu

Assist

7' A superb start to his debut for Calhanoglu, whose pinpoint corner hung invitingly for Skriniar to power home the opener.

M. Škriniar

Goal

6' THE CHAMPIONS LEAD! Skriniar rises high to head powerfully past a stranded Sirigu from Calhanoglu's in-swinging corner. A suitable reward for Inter's high-tempo start to the match. Inter 1-0 Genoa!

4' Inter setting the pace so far, with all of the ball in the Genoa defensive third. They earn a corner on the right side, to be taken by Calhanoglu.

D. Criscito

Yellow Card

1' Criscito picks up an early booking for the visitors, so will have to take care for the next 80-plus minutes.

1' We are off and under way for a new season at San Siro - and the fans are back!

SUBS: Federico Marchetti, Stefano Sabelli, Andrea Masiello, Andrea Favilli, Filippo Melegoni, Caleb Ekuban, Flavio Bianchi, Aleksander Buksa, Laurens Serpe, Kevin Agudelo, Steeve-Mike Eyango, Manolo Portanova.

GENOA (3-5-2): Salvatore Sirigu; Zinho Vanheusden, Davide Biraschi, Domenico Criscito; Stefano Sturaro, Milan Badelj, Nicolo Rovella, Hernani, Andrea Cambiaso; Goran Pandev, Yahya Kallon.

SUBS: Alex Cordaz, Stefan Radu, Denzel Dumfries, Matias Vecino, Aleksandar Kolarov, Andrea Ranocchia, Lucien Agoume, Arturo Vidal, Federico Dimarco, Danilo D’Ambrosio, Martin Satriano, Andrea Pinamonti.

INTER (3-4-2-1): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Perisic; Hakan Calhanoglu, Stefano Sensi; Edin Dzeko.

For Inter, new signing Edin Dzeko replaces last season's star man Romelu Lukaku up front, but Lautaro Martinez will not join him, as the Copa America-winner must serve a suspension. Therefore, Dzeko's fellow new boy Hakan Calhanoglu - who made the switch from city rivals Milan last month - will slot in behind the ex-Roma forward in a supporting role. The visitors start freshly-signed goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu behind a three-man defence, which features Inter loanee Zinho Vanheusden, while Pandev is joined by young Yahya Kallon - at 20, nearly half his age - in attack.

Genoa, meanwhile, have failed to register even a solitary strike against Inter throughout their last six encounters - representing their longest-ever run without netting against any top-flight opponent. In fact, their last league goal against the Nerazzurri came back in February 2018, scored by former Inter forward Goran Pandev, who - aged 38 - celebrates a new contract by starting today.

The champions welcome Genoa to San Siro having won their last six Serie A matches against them by an aggregate score of 21-0 and are unbeaten in 17 games when they have started the season at home - a record dating back to 1987! Not only that, but Inter have also won each of their last 16 league fixtures on home soil. 

As the hosts' former coach Antonio Conte rode off into the sunset shortly after securing the title, Inter are now overseen by ex-Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi, who will seek to secure successive Scudetti come the spring of 2022. In the Genoa dugout, Davide Ballardini hopes to continue the fine job he has done so far, after leading the Grifone to safety with room to spare last term.

Inter are aiming to mount a successful defence of their 19th Scudetto, won in May, and start their 2021-22 campaign against a Genoa side which, last season, flirted with the drop before finishing safely in mid-table following a managerial change.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the opening Serie A fixture between Inter and Genoa at Milan's iconic San Siro!