Inter Milan maintains unbeaten pre-season record
Inter Milan secured a 2-1 victory over Juventus in a pre-season friendly held in Perth, Australia. This result extended Inter’s unbeaten run in their pre-season tour and marked Juventus’s first defeat of the off-season. The match saw goals from Federico Dimarco and Andy Diouf for Inter, with Francisco Conceicao scoring for Juventus.
Inter Milan had previously drawn 1-1 with AC Milan at the same venue. Juventus, on the other hand, entered the match following a 1-0 win against Chelsea in Hong Kong, China.
Match details and player performances
Inter Milan opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Ange-Yoan Bonny provided the assist from the left, allowing Federico Dimarco to sweep a first-time finish into the net. This goal was the first conceded by Juventus in their pre-season campaign.
The lead was doubled in the 62nd minute when Pio Esposito set up Andy Diouf, who scored from inside the area. Juventus managed to pull a goal back in the 85th minute. Francisco Conceicao beat the offside trap, rounded goalkeeper Josep Martinez, and finished into an empty net. Despite the late goal, Juventus could not complete a comeback.
Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu expressed mixed feelings about his team’s performance, despite the win. He noted that he was not satisfied with the second half, particularly the team’s approach. Chivu stated that the team still needs a few more weeks to achieve full sharpness and find more solutions on the field.
Chivu also commented on Juventus, describing them as a well-drilled and strong team that will have a significant impact this season. He highlighted that pre-season matches are primarily for developing new ideas and improving fitness levels.
Regarding individual performances, Chivu acknowledged improvements from Andy Diouf, who scored a goal in the match and continues to develop on the right wing. In terms of goalkeeping, Chivu emphasized that there are no first choices or reserves between Josep Martinez and Ivan Provedel, stressing that everyone must contribute.
Next steps for the clubs
Following the match, Inter Milan is set to return to Italy to continue their preparations for the upcoming season. Juventus will remain in Perth for another friendly fixture against Filippo Inzaghi’s Palermo.
The friendly match was part of a series of club friendlies played on Saturday, August 8th, which included various teams such as Kasımpaşa, Samsunspor, Rizespor, Pyramids, Albacete, Real Murcia, Elche, Toulouse, Lens, Sunderland, Real Unión, Eibar, Club Brugge, Beerschot, Lokeren, Umm Salal, Augsburg, Sassuolo, Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla, Freiburg, Strasbourg, Köln, Real Sociedad, Ipswich Town, Rayo Vallecano, Mainz 05, Paris FC, Olympiakos Nicosia, Omonia 29is Maiou, Rennes, Brentford, Schalke 04, Atalanta, Sporting de Gijón, Real Valladolid, Stuttgart, Everton, Lorient, Angers, Merelbeke, Lierse SK, Dender, Knokke, Eupen, Seraing, Saumur, Le Mans, Troyes, Auxerre, Virtus Entella, Carrarese, Brest, Venezia, Coventry City, Espanyol, APOEL, Kifisia, Burgos, Cultural Leonesa, Castellón, Levante, Leganés, Tenerife, Sporting Hasselt, Belisia Bilzen, Antequera, Granada, Osasuna, Al Ain, Avellino, Torino, Cagliari, Nice, Forlì, Cesena, Gimnàstic Tarragona, Girona, Real Betis, Bournemouth, Real Oviedo, Le Havre, Genoa, Deportivo de A Coruña, Livorno, Empoli, Mallorca, Elversberg, Napoli, Celta Vigo, Valencia, Newcastle United, Cádiz, Las Palmas, Huesca II, Cuarte, Alcorcón, Navalcarnero, Cartagena LU II, UD Los Garres, Karlovac 1919, Lučko, Lumezzane, Crema, UCAM Murcia, Orihuela, Excelsior Maassluis, Sparta Rotterdam II, GVVV, DVS ’33, Genemuiden, HHC, IJsselmeervogels, EVV, Noordwijk, De Treffers, ADO ’20, Koninklijke HFC, AlbinoLeffe, Scanzorosciate, SOA, Medeama, Latte Dolce, Torres, Salernitana, Sambiase, Bjelovar, Radnik Križevci, Bratstvo Gračanica, Sloboda Tuzla, Cittadella, Luparense, Grosseto, Terranuova Traiana, Pineto, and Atletico Ascoli.
Source: bbc.co.uk
