VADUZ (Liechtenstein) - Marko Arnautovic scored twice as Inter's first ever trip to Liechtenstein ended in a 2-1 victory over Swiss second division side FC Vaduz. Around four thousand Inter fans, including president Massimo Moratti's sister Bedy, were among the crowd at the Rheinpark Stadion to watch José Mourinho's Italian champions in action in a suggestive location where the mountain tops are already covered with snow.
The Portuguese coach named two Primavera youngsters in his 4-4-2 lineup. Giulio Donati filled the right-back slot and Denis Alibec played at centre-forward with Arnautovic starting wide on the right and Quaresma behind the front men. When attacking, Inter's formation changed to 4-2-3-1 with Patrick Vieira and Thiago Motta in front of the defence.
Marko Arnautovic had an early chance on goal, sending his cross-shot over the bar after a long ball to the right by Materazzi. Francesco Toldo kept out a slow effort Koitka before Arnautovic fired the Nerazzurri in front on 16 minutes. Vieira and Motta won the ball back and played to Alibec who beat the offside trap and served the Austrian who slotted home.
Vaduz replied to Arnautovic's opener before the half hour, Pascal Bader scoring from close range after Toldo parried a left-wing cross. But Inter's domination showed and Arnautovic and Alibec had further chances before Quaresma missed a good chance from Thiago Motta's magical pass.
Paolo Orlandoni was a second-half replacement for Toldo between the sticks, Joel Obi for Samuel the only other change at the interval. Alibec thought he had scored a second for Inter on 57 minutes after a breathtaking move also involving Vieira, Quaresma and Arnautovic, but according to the match officials, the Romanian's shot hadn't completely crossed the line.
Six minutes later Arnautovic, who switched flanks in the second half and helped out at the back, beat the offside trap to fire home an assist from Alibec, who made way for Beretta in the final stages.
Obi created a great chance for a third goal but saw his shot saved by Vaduz keeper Rosamina. The Nigerian winger's game ended sooner than expected when he pulled up with a thigh strain. His place was taken by Cristiano Biraghi, another of the Primavera lads.
Thiago Motta made way for Sebastian Carlsen as Inter played the closing minutes with seven senior youth team players on the pitch.
Vaduz 1-2 Inter (HT: 1-1)
Scorers: Arnautovic 16, 63, Bader 28.
Vaduz: 25 Rosamina; 7 Bellon, 6 Stuckmann, 27 Noll (5 Steil 82), 23 Stegmayer (24 Kempe 72); 8 Colocci (17 Rebronja 60), 16 Franjic, 3 Bader, 22 Cerrone; 9 Proschwitz (13 Petrick 84), 10 Koitka (20 Selke 85).
Subs not used: 4 Loppert, 5 Steil, 13 Petrick, 17 Rebronja, Akyer, 24 Kempe, Selke.
Coach: Pierre Littbarski.
Inter: 1 Toldo (Orlandoni 46); 4 Donati, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 25 Samuel (20 Obi 46; Biraghi 71); 7 Quaresma (10 Fortunato 84), 14 Vieira, 8 Motta (5 Carlsen 72), 30 Mancini (15 Rigione 85); 89 Arnautovic, 9 Alibec (11 Beretta 84).
Subs not used: -
Coach: José Mourinho.
Referee: Luca Gut.
Assistant referees: Vogel, Kaszas.
