ISTANBUL - Roberto Mancini received a very warm welcome on his return to Galatasaray. The Nerazzurri lined up with Handanovic between the sticks, while Santon and captain for the night Juan Jesus started at full-back. Miranda and Murillo played in the heart of defence for the first time. Kovacic began as a deep-lying playmaker with Kondogbia and Guarin either side of him, while Hernanes played in the hole behind Palacio and Icardi.
Inter made a good start, creating three clear chances in the opening 20 minutes. Kovacic played Icardi through on goal but Muslera was spared by the Argentine, Palacio failed to find the corner and Guarin shot just over after a fine move down the left.
The home side only created one opportunity through Burak Yilmaz. The striker finished from a rebound after Handanovic had saved but was rightly penalised for handball in the build-up.
The tempo then began to wane a touch after a fast start, as the heat took its toll on the players. Ten minutes shy of the break, Hernanes produced a neat step-over to escape his marker and drew a fine stop out of Muslera as his effort was bound for the opposite corner.
At the end of the first period, Hernanes, Guarin and Palacio created a lovely move which was finished by the Argentine albeit with the ball having run into touch.
Inter came out firing once more after the interval. Five minutes into the second half, more excellent play from Kovacic set Palacio clear. The forward picked out Hernanes at the back post but he was unable to finish the Nerazzurri's easiest chance.
Unfortunately, Galatasaray struck on their first meaningful foray forward. Podolski beat Miranda down the right and his curling cross found Sneijder free to finish first time and give the hosts the advantage.
Inter tried to respond and Ranocchia went close with a header from a corner. A few minutes later, Galatasaray nearly doubled their lead, with Murillo eventually clearing well inside the six-yard box after the ball had pinballed around.
Before the end there was still time for Montoya and Dimarco to try and grab a leveller. The Catalan didn't realise he was onside and delayed too long before shooting, while the 18-year-old full-back tested Muslera from outside the area.
It would remain that way in a result which was a little harsh on Inter based on the way the game went. The Nerazzurri are next in action against Athletic Bilbao at Parma's Stadio Tardini on Saturday 8 August.
Galatasaray 1-0 Inter (HT: 0-0)
Scorer: Sneijder 53
Galatasaray: 1 Muslera; 55 Sabri (23 Carole 57), 21
Chedjou (19 Yildirim 81), 22 Balta, 13 Telles; 8 Selçuk Inan, 5 Kisa
(52 Çolak 54), 7 Öztekin (18 Gümüs 57); 10 Sneijder; 11 Podolski, 17
Yilmaz (29 Adin 57).
Subs not used: 67 Iscan, 38 Çamdal, 20 Karacan, 35 Kurtulus, 6 Dzemaili, 14 Rodriguez, 9 Bulut, 28 Günter.
Coach: Hamza Hamzaoglu.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon (14 Montoya 63) , 25
Miranda (23 Ranocchia 63), 24 Murillo, 5 Juan Jesus; 13 Guarin (77
Brozovic 46), 10 Kovacic, 7 Kondogbia (27 Gnoukouri 78); 88 Hernanes
(93 Dimarco 78); 8 Palacio ( 35 Jovetic 63), 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 12 Longo.
Coach: Roberto Mancini
Booked : Podolski, Hernanes, Dimarco.
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