SALT LAKE CITY – Inter kicked off their Summer Tour 2016 with a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday evening.
After a low-key start to the match, Felipe Melo drew the first save of the game from Attinella in the Real Salt Lake goal on 12 minutes, working a yard of space on his right before drilling a low shot towards goal.
There was a scare for Inter four minutes later, Wingert pummelling a right-footed drive towards goal. Yet there was worse to come from the resulting corner after Jordan Allen pounced on a loose ball to stab home for 1-0.
The Nerazzurri looked to hit back immediately, first Icardi heading over from close range and then Melo taking aim without troubling Attinella.
Icardi was involved again just after the half-hour mark. Having collected Biabiany’s lay-off on the edge of the box, the Argentine dummied away from two defenders only to fire his shot straight at the goalie.
Inter were level three minutes before half time – Erkin’s corner found Danilo D’Ambrosio at the back post and the Italian showcased great technique to volley home a rasping effort for 1-1.
Mancini rang the changes at the interval, with Stevan Jovetic, Yuto Nagatomo, Daniel Bessa and Loris Zonta replacing Icardi, Biabiany, Erkin and Miranda.
Yet it was the hosts who had the first chance of the second half, Stertzer playing a slide-rule ball through the Inter backline only for Handanovic to block Brody’s shot.
Juan Pablo Carrizo, Senna Miangue and Assane Gnoukouri soon came on for Handanovic, Kondogbia and Ansaldi, and the Argentine keeper was instantly called into action to repel a snap shot from Holness on the edge of the box.
Mancini replaced Felipe Melo with Axel Mohamed Bakayoko on 68 minutes and the French youngster was straight into the action, firing a right-footed volley just wide from distance.
Jovetic had a glorious chance to give Inter the lead in the 74th minute, Bakayoko again involved as he laid it on a plate for the Montenegrin deep in the box but the striker’s shot whistled just past the post.
Jovetic went even closer seconds later, chipping over a sea of Real Salt Lake heads – including the goalie – only for the ball to cannon square off the post and away from danger.
More changes followed as the tempo dropped, both sides content with the workout. It looked to be heading for a draw, but Jovetic settled it late on with a cheeky backheel that went straight through the goalie’s legs and into the back of the net.
Inter now take on Paris Saint-Germain in their first International Champions Cup match of the season in Eugene on Sunday.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 25 Miranda, 13 Ranocchia, 15 Ansaldi; 11 Biabiany, 5 Melo, 7 Kondogbia, 18 Erkin; 8 Palacio, 9 Icardi.
Subs: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 92 Di Gregorio, 10 Jovetic, 12 Bessa, 27 Gnoukouri, 55 Nagatomo, 91 Zonta, 93 Bakayoko, 95 Miangue, 96 Della Giovanna, 99 Pinamonti.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
REAL SALT LAKE: 24 Attinella; 16 Wingert, 4 Olave, 15 Glad, 2 Beltran; 27 Stertzer, 70 Allen, 5 Beckerman; 10 Plata, 7 Martinez, 14 Movsisyan
Subs: 1 Fernandez, 18 Rimando, 3 Kavita, 6 Okwuonu, 11 Morales, 12 Holness, 17 Phillips, 19 Mullholland, 21 Maund, 25 Acosta, 80 Garcia
Coach: Jeff Cassar.
Referee: Tyler Ploeger.
Assistants: Zablocki, Major.
Fourth official: Jensen.
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