ALTOPASCIO (LU) – Inter's Primavera team fell at the first hurdle in this year's Viareggio Cup as they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Anderlecht this evening. To be fair, the reigning champions represented about as tough a hurdle as they come and, despite toiling hard, Salvatore Cerrone's boys never really looked like overturning the result after going in at the break trailing 2-1.
Danish midfielder Knudsen rifled home from the edge of the box in the 5th minute to give the Nerazzurri the perfect start, but the Belgian outfit mustered an immediate response when Kindermans capitalised on Eguelfi's slip and levelled the scores.
Carvalho Dos Santos put Peeters' side in front before the interval and Leya fired home through a crowd ten minutes into the second half as the holders strengthened their grip on the game.
The Nerazzurri weren't going to roll over easily though, and 16-year-old striker Bonazzoli reminded people what a promising talent he is with a finely taken individual effort minutes later.
At 2-3 Inter were back in it but Leya made it a personal double and restored Anderlecth's two-goal cushion with a wonderful finish in the 66th minute.
Cerrone made a raft of attacking changes as the Nerazzurri tried to fight back and it paid off a few minutes from the end of regular time when Eguelfi's cross was handled and Acampora converted from the spot to make it 3-4.
Inter threw caution to the wind as they desperately sought a late equaliser but Capello lost his nerve as the match entered stoppage time and committed a nasty foul in midfield, which led to him receiving his marching orders and his side being reduced to 10 men. Anderlecht saw out the remaining minutes to deservedly take their place in the quarter-finals.
Cerrone's boys exit the Viareggio Cup at the last-16 stage but can be proud of their battling display against top-quality opposition.
Inter 3-4 Anderlecht (HT: 1-2)
Scorers: Knudsen 5, Kindermans 7, Carvalho 39, Leya 54 and 67, Bonazzoli 56, Acampora 88 (pen).
Inter: 1 Ivusic; 7 Sciacca, 8 Yao, 5 Paramatti, 4 Eguelfi; 15 Knudsen (Bigotto 88), 17 Palazzi (9 Acampora 78), 16 Mira (10 Baldini 61); 11 Camara, 19 Bonazzoli, 22 Puscas (20 Capello 81).
Subs not used: 2 Dalla Riva, 6 Pinton, 12 Maniero, 14 Gaiola, 21 Costa, 23 Ventre.
Coach: Salvatore Cerrone.
Anderlecht: 1 Gies; 2 Carvalho, 3 D'Alberto, 14 Isci, 11 Kawaya; 8 Dendoncker, 6 Bastien; 7 Jaadi, 18 Soumaré (36'st 10 H'maidat), 15 Kindermans (25'st 17 Bourard); 9 Leya.
Subs not used: 13 Bossin, 16 Falsaperla, 19 Lapage.
Coach: René Peeters.
Referee: Bertani (Pisa)
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Booked: Sciacca, Bonazzoli, Kawaya.
Sent off: Capello.
Added time: 0 + 3 minutes.
