REGGIO EMILIA – There was a disappointing start for Inter in the Trofeo TIM this evening as they were beaten 2-1 by AC Milan in an entertaining contest at Sassuolo’s Mapei Stadium.
Inter began the game well, with Kondogbia finding Santon on the left after just a few minutes. The Italian played in the overlapping Hernanes, but his cross was deflected behind for a corner. The match was about to be turned on its head, however, as the Rossoneri drew first blood after Bertolacci guided home Bacca’s cross to beat Handanovic for 1-0.
The goal served to spur on AC Milan even further, with Honda coming within inches of doubling their lead through an audacious half-volleyed effort from distance. The Rossoneri did make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute: Bacca cut in from the left before stabbing a fierce right-footed shot home at Handanovic’s near post.
Seemingly unfazed by the two-goal deficit, Inter went on the attack and grabbed a goal back on 31 minutes. Brozovic led a Nerazzurri break, making the most of a couple of dummy runs from his team-mates to nudge the ball onto his right foot and let fly with a gorgeous curling effort – Diego Lopez could only watch as it sailed past him.
It was proving to be an eventful game, and AC Milan found themselves down to ten men on 38 minutes after Alex had brought down Icardi. Last season’s Serie A top scorer would have had a clean run on goal – the Rossoneri man had to go.
With their numerical advantage beginning to show, Inter were left shaking their heads in disbelief on 45 minutes as Romagnoli popped up from nowhere to block Brozovic’s shot on the line and deny the Nerazzurri a share of the spoils.
MILAN 2-1 INTER
Scorers: Bertolacci 4, Bacca 22, Brozovic 31.
MILAN: 1 Diego Lopez; 2 De Sciglio, 15 Ely, 33 Alex, 31 Antonelli; 28 Bonaventura, 34 De Jong, 91 Bertolacci; 10 Honda (Romagnoli 40); 70 Bacca, 9 Luiz Adriano.
Subs not used: 32 Abbiati, 99 Donnarumma, 5 Mexes, 20 Abate, 29 Paletta, 4 Mauri, 23 Nocerino, 16 Poli, 18 Montolivo, 8 Suso, 11 Cerci, 21 Matri.
Coach: Sinisa Mihajlovic.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon (Nagatomo 44), 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 5 Juan Jesus; 10 Kovacic, 17 Medel, 7 Kondogbia (Palacio 44); 88 Hernanes (Brozovic 25); 35 Jovetic, 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 14 Montoya, 23 Ranocchia, 33 D'Ambrosio, 56 Popa, 27 Gnoukouri, 44 Delgado, 16 Schelotto, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Booked: Juan Jesus 21, Medel 41, Murillo 43.
Sent off: Alex 38.
Referee: Gervasoni.
Assistants: Paganessi, Crispo.
Fourth official: Preti.
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