Brunico then Eindhoven as Inter U19s gear up for big season

RISCONE DI BRUNICO – While the Inter first team were in China and Singapore taking on the likes of Lyon, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, back in Riscone di Brunico the Nerazzurri Under-19s were kicking off their own pre-season preparations.

Stefano Vecchi's squad spent eleven days in the mountains building up for the start of the Primavera championship, which begins in its new, single-division format on 9 September.

After warming up with friendlies against San Giorgio (Sunday 23 July) and Sudtirol (Friday 28 July), the Inter youngsters rounded off their training camp with a game against Southampton's academy side – a taste of the international opposition to come as the Primavera are taking part in the UEFA Youth League this coming campaign.

F.C. Internazionale academy chief Roberto Samaden, who joined up with Vecchi and the team in Riscone di Brunico upon returning from China, commented on the early progress being made.

“We're absolutely delighted with the work they're doing in this initial phase of the season,” Samaden said.

“The lads are putting in a massive effort and that's exactly what's needed at this time of year.

“We're trying to assemble a new group from the lads who won the respective league titles with the U19s, U18s and U17s a few months ago. From what we've seen in the tricky friendlies they've just played, against a Lega Pro side and a top international academy, the signs are very promising."

Having left Trentino, the Primavera squad will travel to Eindhoven for another tough test as they face a clutch of first-rate opponents in the Otten Cup 2017.

The Nerazzurri open the group stage against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday 4 August (15:00) before back-to-back matches with Cruzeiro (11:00) and Manchester United (13:40) on Saturday.

The semi-finals and final are to be played on Sunday 6 August.