HARRISON – Inter and Estudiantes played out a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Wednesday night, Yuto Nagatomo and Leandro Desabato netting the goals at either end of a fast-paced first half before fatigue set in after the break.
Once United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon had kicked off proceedings the match quickly sparked into life and with just five minutes on the clock Inter took the lead.
Kondogbia and Jovetic linked up in midfield, Palacio latched onto the through ball and fed it across for Nagatomo charging towards the far post and the Japanese's finish left Sappa with no chance.
Two minutes later an almost identical move saw El Trenza again tee up Nagatomo, only for the full-back to miss the target this time.
There were chances at both ends around the midway point of the first period. Handanovic did well to close down the angle and deny Cavallaro after he had beaten Miranda, then Jovetic fired inches over at the end of a free-flowing Nerazzurri move, Nagatomo knocking down for the Montenegrin with an aerial volley from Biabiany's lofted ball.
Inter went even closer to doubling their lead on the half-hour mark when the effervescent Nagatomo burst down the flank and centred for Jovetic, whose volley was headed onto the bar by Palacio.
With the first half drawing to a close Estudiantes found an equaliser. Cavallaro swung in a free kick from the right-hand side of the box and Desabato rose unmarked to head home.
The tempo dropped considerably after the break and chances were at a premium.
Damonte and Solari threatened for Estudiantes as the game entered the final quarter of an hour but Ranocchia was well placed to thwart the danger.
Despite plenty of substitutions being made by both teams, one player still full of running was Nagotomo. He pinged in yet another dangerous ball shortly before full time only to see Losada snatch it away with Bakayoko lurking.
The match finished 1-1 and Inter now look forward to their second International Champions Cup encounter of the year, against Bayern Munich in Charlotte on Saturday.
Inter 1-1 Estudiantes (HT 1-1)
Scorers: Nagatomo 5, Desabato 43.
INTER: 1 Handanovic (30 Carrizo 70); 33 D'Ambrosio, 25 Miranda (96 Dellagiovanna 81), 13 Ranocchia, 55 Nagatomo; 11 Biabiany, 5 Melo, 7 Kondogbia (12 Bessa 46), 18 Caner (83 Bakayoko 81); 8 Palacio (99 Pinamonti 81), 10 Jovetic (95 Miangue 60).
Subs not used: 46 Berni, 92 Di Gregorio.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
ESTUDIANTES: 12 Sappa; 2 Desabato, 3 Diarte, 6 Schunke, 14 Sanchez; 8 Damonte, 10 Brana, 18 Solari, 15 Cavallaro; 7 Auzqui, 9 Viatri.
Subs: 1 Losada, 22 Pirez, 4 Rosales, 23 Barbona, 24 Marchioni, 10 Rodriguez, 27 Quintana, 16 Gomez, 13 Aguirregaray, 17 Graciani.
Coach: Nelson Vivas.
Added time: 0+2 minutes.
Referee: Rivero.
Assistants: Conlee, Vazquez.
Fourth official: Bruckner.
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
