NICE - The start of the season keeps getting closer for Inter. The first International Champions Cup fixture of 2018 finished 1-1 at the Allianz Riviera against Chelsea who went on to win on penalties. Pedro and Gagliardini scored the goals in the 90 minutes.
Maurizio Sarri’s side started very aggressively, opening the scoring after just nine minutes. Morata made the most of some hesitation from Candreva at the back. He fired off a powerful strike that Handanovic saved but Pedro was there to convert from the rebound. Inter responded in the 21st minute, Candreva let fly with a cross-cum-shot that Icardi almost managed to turn home while sliding in. After a water break halfway through, the talented 17-year-old Hudson-Odoi kept Handanovic busy with a shot from the edge of the box that the goalkeeper saved. Inter were on the attack again in the 36th minute. De Vrij played it up for Candreva who set up Politano on the edge of the box but he couldn’t keep the first-time shot on target. The Nerazzurri were on top at the end of the half, Candreva tried with a low shot that didn’t go far wide before Icardi couldn’t make the most of a three-on-three situation in the 45th minute. Chelsea were 1-0 up at the break.
The second half began with Lautaro Martinez replacing Emmers. Inter looked to level straight away and a powerful strike from Politano forced a save from the substitute Caballero. The Nerazzurri equalised in the 49th minute. Bakayoko made a mistake in possession, Icardi perfectly set up Gagliardini and the Nerazzurri’s number five beat Caballero with a shot across goal. Inter were very lively at the start of the half. In the 61st minute, Martinez did it all by himself before Ampadu made a block. Both teams made a number of changes in the 65th minute. Chelsea started to knock on the door again with Abraham forcing a save from Handanovic before in the 75th minute, Drinkwater fired just wide from 30 metres out. Straight after, Karamoh played a perfect ball to Martinez but Rudiger made a last-ditch challenge. It remained lively until the end. Handanovic made a great stop in the 82nd minute to tip Jorginho’s effort out for a corner. Soon after, Abraham wasn’t able to redirect Emerson’s cross in from a great position in front of goal. The final chance fell for Inter and it was a big one. Karamoh picked out Lautaro who fired a volley but Caballero made an excellent save and so it went to penalties.
Ranocchia, Gagliardini, Martinez and Karamoh all scored for Inter while Caballero kept out Skriniar’s spot kick. The Blues were perfect from the spot to claim the win.
The next 2018 ICC fixture will be in Lecce on Saturday 4th August against Lyon. #ForzaInter!
CHELSEA 1-1 INTER 1-1 (5-4 on penalties)
Goals: 9'Pedro (C), 49' Gagliardini (I)
CHELSEA: 59 Bulka (46' 1 Caballero); 21 Zappacosta (46' 28 Azpilicueta), 30 David Luiz (65' 2 Rudiger), 44 Ampadu (65' 19 Abraham),3 Alonso (65' 15 Moses); 4 Fabregas (46' 6 Drinkwater), 5 Jorginho, 8 Barkley (46' 14 Bakayoko); 20 Hudson-Odoi (83' 32 Piazon), 9 Morata (65' 33 Emerson), 11 Pedro (65' 27 Christensen)
Bench: 31 Green, 17 Musonda
Coach: Maurizio Sarri
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 6 De Vrij (65' 13 Ranocchia), 37 Skriniar, 29 Dalbert (83' 67 Zappa); 5 Gagliardini, 40 Emmers (46' 10 Martinez); 87 Candreva (65' 65 Roric), 16 Politano (83' 74 Salcedo), 18 Asamoah; 9 Icardi (65' 7 Karamoh)
Bench: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 59 Dekic, 14 Nainggolan, 20 Borja Valero, 61 Sala, 64 Nolan, 68 Demirovic
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
Referee: Rainville
Assistants: Stein - Pasqualotti
Fourth Official: Vernice
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