Tours, friendlies, and new arrivals: Inter's preseason

Thirty-two days, four countries, six matches, an intense workload to build fitness, and a return to a familiar daily routine to prepare for a long season packed with fixtures: Inter's pre-season is drawing to a close, with the start of the league campaign just around the corner and the Nerazzurri preparing to defend the Scudetto they won on 3 May. It has been a month lived at a high tempo, with international travel and friendly matches providing valuable minutes, testing the Italian champions' level of preparation and giving the new arrivals the chance to settle into the group. July saw the arrival of Ivan Provedel and the returns of Benjamin Pavard, Aleksandar Stankovic and Krjstian Asllani, as well as the arrival of Yanis Massolin, while August saw John Stones and Djed Spence join the squad.

The journey began on 14 July with the squad's return to the Inter Training Center – in memory of Angelo Moratti, with part of the team still involved in the North American World Cup. The first stage of preparations took place in Donaueschingen, in the south-west of Germany, amid green pitches and mild weather. The German week concluded with the first pre-season tests, offering the first glimpse of Inter 2026/27: a new Inter that rediscovered their previous form on the pitch at BBBank Wildpark, beating Karlsruher SC thanks to a stoppage-time brace from Diouf.

The second leg of the journey took Chivu's side to the Far East for the Internazionale Summer Tour. Hong Kong first and Perth then provided unforgettable moments, driven by Nerazzurri passion, with huge crowds and an international warmth. On the pitch came a series of high-level international fixtures, with Inter facing Manchester City in Hong Kong before taking on AC Milan and Juventus in the first matches in the club's history in Australia: a penalty-shootout victory over the English side was followed by a 1-1 draw with AC Milan and a 2-1 win over Juventus.

Following the Asian tour, Chivu was reunited in Appiano Gentile with the final World Cup returnees, as well as a couple of new faces for the closing stage of pre-season. Bari provided the final stop on the journey, with the Stadio San Nicola hosting Inter's last friendly. The test against Real Betis ended in another victory, a 1-0 win sealed by John Stones' first goal for the club — the perfect way for him to begin his new adventure with Inter. Back in Milano, the Nerazzurri now face their final week before the season begins. On Saturday 22 August, San Siro will welcome the Italian champions back for their opening league fixture against Monza, as an eventful summer draws to a close and Inter head into the new season with plenty of encouraging signs already on display.

INTER'S SUMMER FRIENDLIES

• 24 July | Aasen 0-16 Inter, Donaueschingen

• 26 July | Karlsruher 1-2 Inter, BBBank Wildpark (Karlsruhe)

• 1 August | Manchester City 1-1 Inter (1-3 on penalties), Kai Tak Stadium (Hong Kong)

• 5 August | AC Milan 1-1 Inter, Optus Stadium (Perth)

• 8 August | Juventus 1-2 Inter, Optus Stadium (Perth)

• 15 August | Inter 1-0 Real Betis, Stadio San Nicola (Bari)

AASEN 0-16 INTER

The first fixture of the season, the first taste of competitive action and the first chance to see Inter back on the pitch: during their training camp in Donaueschingen, the Nerazzurri put their opening days of work in Germany to the test with a friendly against SV Aasen, a Baden-Württemberg side playing in the sixth tier of German football. The match ended in a comprehensive victory for Cristian Chivu's side, who ran out 16-0 winners, with Pio Esposito scoring five goals in the second half.

KARLSRUHER 1-2 INTER

The second look at the new Inter came two days later, bringing the German training camp to a close. The Nerazzurri had been pushed to their physical limit, but the team's spirit remained as strong as ever: the sign of a hungry side who can grin and bear it, even when conditions are far from ideal. It was a characteristic that emerged on several occasions last season and immediately resurfaced in the first footballing test of the summer — a thread connecting the team to its desire to win, even when there are no three points at stake. Against Karlsruher, Inter faced a side further ahead physically, with a level of tempo and pressure unusual for July football. Chivu's players, however, relied on their familiar strengths, displaying the usual build-up patterns thanks to the well-drilled mechanisms of the 3-5-2, while still waiting for their legs and intensity to catch up.

After little more than ten days of work and several substitutions, Inter found themselves 1-0 down as stoppage time was announced. The result of the first friendly appeared to be settled, but Andy Diouf had other ideas. The French winger, introduced at the start of the second half, produced a showcase of his technical and shooting ability, turning the game around with two moments of brilliance in the space of three minutes. Two left-footed strikes in the 91st and 94th minutes, different in execution but equal in beauty and effectiveness: the first a powerful, bouncing effort from outside the box that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot; the second a curling finish towards the far post after controlling Bastoni's switch of play.

MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 INTER (1-3 on penalties)

A new city, a new climate, a new opponent: on 1 August in Hong Kong, Inter faced their first international-level test against Enzo Maresca's Manchester City. It was an opponent that put the Nerazzurri defence through its paces, testing their resilience, solidity, adaptability and willingness to sacrifice. It was an important occasion for the youngsters Cristian Chivu took on the Asian tour, giving them the opportunity to showcase their qualities as part of their development.

The clash between the Nerazzurri and the Citizens followed two very different scripts: an intense, spectacular first half played at an almost end-to-end pace, followed by a second period in which the English side took control of the game. The opening 45 minutes showcased a bright Inter side, capable of matching City's attacking threat and playing openly against an opponent boasting exceptional technical quality. Aleksandar Stankovic was one of the standout performers, looking assured and solid in the heart of midfield as he pressed, made forward runs and dictated the tempo, switching the ball from one side to the other with ease and class. As usual, Inter alternated between vertical build-up play on the ground and their expansive work down the flanks: Diouf engaged in a one-on-one battle with Semenyo, while Dimarco showed that his left foot is already firing. The game burst into life with Mabuma giving City the lead in the 14th minute, before Pavard equalised in the 20th. The Frenchman operated as the right-sided centre-back in the back three, pushing forward to support the attack.

After the break, Chivu gave his youngsters an opportunity to shine. By the closing stages, the defence consisted of Maye, Bovio and Bastoni, with Marello on the flank and Topalovic in midfield behind the Lavelli-Mosconi partnership. Inter were forced to suffer, weather the pressure and dig deep, taking the 1-1 scoreline through to the 90th minute before winning on penalties. It was Provedel's first major save, as he denied Nico Gonzalez from the spot, while Mosconi and Lavelli showed great composure against one of the world's finest penalty-stoppers, Gigio Donnarumma. The two young Nerazzurri forwards both sent the Italy goalkeeper the wrong way, securing Inter's third victory of pre-season.

AC MILAN 1-1 INTER

A new country on the Nerazzurri map, with days filled with passion, colour and football: Inter's trip to Australia was a first, but the team experienced an atmosphere reminiscent of home in Perth, which was transformed into a sea of Nerazzurri colours. On the pitch came two matches against their fiercest rivals, two opportunities to give an insight into the Serie A season to come.

First up was the Derby against AC Milan, Inter's first test after just a few days of work in the Australian winter. The match was played at a more measured pace than the fiery opening half against Manchester City: after an initially cagey spell, Inter took control through their passing, managing possession and forcing AC Milan to sit deeper before stepping up the pressure at the start of the second half. The Nerazzurri raised the tempo and intensity, taking the lead in the 54th minute through one of our most reliable players: Federico Dimarco. He finished off a spectacular move that began with Pavard winning the ball high up the pitch, was developed by Lavelli's excellent hold-up play with his back to goal and finished by last season's MVP, who only had to tap in Barella's assist. His central run demonstrated another attacking weapon within the Nerazzurri's arsenal, with Dimash operating in more central areas — something that would also happen against Juventus, reflecting Inter's desire to get even closer to the heart of the opposition box. Late on, AC Milan levelled through an Nkunku penalty, sealing a 1-1 draw and bringing the curtain down on the eighth Milano Derby played away from San Siro.

JUVENTUS 1-2 INTER

The Asian tour concluded with the Derby d'Italia against Juventus, a match in which Inter looked like they were back at near-peak fitness. The game was settled in the first half and managed in the second, with the two wide threats once again making the difference. Dimarco and Diouf scored the goals that allowed the Nerazzurri to bring their Australian trip to the perfect end, while also providing Cristian Chivu with important technical and tactical insights.

The opener arrived in the 20th minute. Bonny created the move by drifting towards the left to take on his man, leaving a channel for Dimarco to make a central run. The Ivorian forward beat his opponent and delivered a cross into the box, picking out the onrushing wing-back, who superbly met it first time with his left foot and curled the ball into the bottom corner. An even more impressive move produced the second goal in the 62nd minute. Diouf both started and finished the attack, sending Pio Esposito through before charging forward to collect the striker's return pass following a one-two with Pavard. The move highlighted Inter's threat in transition and their ability to spring into life in an instant, finding their rhythm through direct, vertical play.

It was not only the attacking phase that caught the eye, however. Bovio delivered an outstanding performance at the heart of the defence. The 2008-born defender produced an extremely assured display before proving decisive late on, when Juventus had pulled a goal back, with a superb challenge to deny Kolo Muani.

INTER 1-0 BETIS

The final chapter of Inter's pre-season took place in Bari, on a sweltering Ferragosto that marked the beginning of summer's conclusion and turned the Nerazzurri's attention towards the opening day of the league season. Against Real Betis, Inter looked solid and confident in their qualities, creating numerous chances. Barella, Calhanoglu and Zielinski reunited to form the midfield trio, with the Italian midfielder particularly active down the right alongside Diouf, while the Turkish international threatened from distance.

The second half brought both an eagerly awaited return and an emotional debut: captain Lautaro returned to the pitch following his World Cup campaign with Argentina, getting his first minutes under his belt ahead of the new season, while John Stones made his Inter debut. It was the English centre-back who decided the match in the 82nd minute, producing a fine right-footed turn and finish from a set-piece situation. The perfect way to begin his Nerazzurri chapter, with his teammates' embrace providing the finishing touch to his first celebration in an Inter shirt.

The final whistle brought Inter's pre-season to an end, with a record of five wins and one draw. Results ultimately count for relatively little in matches designed to test the squad and build the foundations for a long season packed with fixtures — one that Inter intend to thrive in.