BEIJING – Nerazzurri fans can look forward to three thrilling friendly matches in China against Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Real Madrid after Inter's 2015 summer tour plans were officially announced today.
Inter will be returning to the country they first discovered back in June 1978, when the newly crowned Coppa Italia winners set off for Beijing – the first Italian club to visit China.
The four friendly games played that summer planted the first seeds of Nerazzurri passion in a land where football was still in its infancy. A passion which has grown ever since, with millions of Chinese fans now cheering for our colours.
The Nerazzurri will retrace the steps of that inaugural journey this summer and RSE Ventures, Relevent Sports and LETV Sports today confirmed the dates, clubs and cities for the International Champions Cup China 2015.
Inter, Real Madrid and AC Milan will be pitted against each other in a three-team group.
The Nerazzurri are to take on local rivals AC Milan on Saturday 25 July at Longgang Stadium in Shenzhen, for what will be the first derby of the new season and only the second ever played on Chinese soil.
Then on Monday 27 July Inter will lock horns with Real Madrid at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou.
The tournament was presented at the Grand Hyatt Beijing hotel today with FC Internazionale vice president Javier Zanetti and director of commercial strategy James White representing the club.
Javier Zanetti spoke enthusiastically about the team's forthcoming trip: "It's great to be in China and we'd like to thank the organisation for offering us the opportunity to get closer to our fans. The International Champions Cup China 2015 is a prestigious tournament and playing against AC Milan and Real Madrid will help us prepare for the new season while bringing joy to thousands of football lovers. I hope the teams taking part will all enjoy it too.
"China is a fascinating country and we want to give continuity to our presence here. Together with the Inter Forever project we will be able to consolidate our brand, which is very important in this country.
"I'll be here for the games against AC Milan and Real Madrid, which offer a wonderful opportunity for our fans in China. Chinese fans are fantastic – always so passionate and brimming with enthusiasm. I'd like to thank them on behalf of Inter because every time we come here they show us how much they love our colours. And for us, it's always interesting to learn more about this fascinating culture.
"Matches against AC Milan and Real have marked the history of our club and now we have two more. I'd like to invite all Nerazzurri fans in China to join us and show us their support on this fantastic summer we have ahead."
Prior to the International Champions Cup China 2015, the Nerazzurri will kick off a mouth-watering triple-header with a friendly against German giants Bayern Munich, at Shanghai Stadium on Tuesday 21 July.
Three exciting encounter for the fans, and three big matches for Roberto Mancini's team as they gear up for the 2015/16 season.
For more details about the International Champions Cup China 2015, see the official website.
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
