MANCHESTER - At the Academy Stadium, Stefano Vecchi’s Inter Primavera looked to pull off the feat against Manchester City that would have seen them progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youth League at the Stadio Meazza.
From the opening exchanges, the tactical systems were clear. The hosts looked to keep the ball and find space to attack while Inter stayed tight, ready to win the ball back before looking to break and pick out Odgaard but Pinamonti especially. The tactics paid off in the 12th minute when Emmers pressed Grimshaw who looked to clear but the ball bounced off the Belgian and in.
The Nerazzurri got into the City half more and Pinamonti had two chances to double the lead with his right foot. The first controlled shot just missed the corner while the second powerful one went way off target.
The equaliser came during Inter’s best spell. Nmecha broke through the offside trap and was brought down illegally by Bettella according to the referee. The home captain got up to take the penalty, sending Dekic the wrong way to level. In the 33rd minute, Foden fired off a left-foot effort inside the area but it was too central and Dekic saved. There was a great chance for Bettella in the 42nd minute. A deep Emmers free kick wasn’t cleared by the City defence with the Nerazzurri defender coming in at the far post but he volleyed over!
At the start of the second half, the home side looked to push more but the best chance fell for Odgaard in the box. The Dane fought to win the ball before turning and going down while trying to get the shot away. However, the referee deemed that it was simulation and he was booked. The Danish forward then came off soon after having taken a knock with Rover replacing him. In the 61st and then 63rd minutes, Dekic said no to two long-range efforts from the home side.
The half was more tactical with City keeping more of the ball but they had to watch out for Inter counterattacks. In the final minutes, Colidio was brought on with the Argentine looking to bring pace and life to the match but the result didn’t change and the tie went to penalties. Inter had two chances to win in sudden death but Touaizi’s penalty proved to be the winner.
MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 (3-2 on penalties) INTER
Goalscorers: Emmers (12'), Nmecha L. (26)
Penalties: Nmecha F. GOAL, Colidio SAVE, Francis GOAL, Pinamonti GOAL, Smith SAVE, Emmers GOAL, Foden SAVE, Rover SAVE, Nmecha L. MISS, Zaniolo SAVE, Diaz SAVE, Lombardoni CROSSBAR, Touaizi GOAL, Bettella SAVE
MANCHESTER CITY: 1 Grimshaw, 2 Garcia Martret, 3 Latibeaudiere, 4 Francis, 5 Smith, 6 Dele-Bashiru (71' Nmecha F. 15), 7 Poveda (61' Bolton 16), 10 Foden, 8 Diaz, 11 Matondo (89' Touaizi 18), 9 Nmecha L.
Bench: 12 Duhaney, 13 Sokol, 14 Pozo, 17 Gonzalez, 19 Wilson, 20 Diallo.
Coach: Simon Davies
INTER: 1 Dekic; 14 Zappa, 19 Lombardoni, 6 Bettella; 2 Valietti, 8 Emmers, 16 Rada (67' Brignoli 18), 10 Zaniolo, 3 Sala (88' COlidio 11); 9 Pinamonti, 20 Odgaard (61' Rover 7).
Bench 12 Tintori, 21 Pozzer, 4 Nolan, 13 Adorante, 15 Merola, 17 Gavioli.
Coach: Stefano Vecchi
Bookings: Bettella (26'), Garcia Martret (55'), Odgaard (56'), Lombardoni (65'), Francis (68')
Stoppage Time: 0' - 5'
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