Diouf's double secures Inter's comeback against Karlsruher

It may only be July preseason, but Inter approached this game like any other: the pride of a team that never gives up, fights until the very end and makes the seemingly impossible possible. At the BBBank Wildpark, the Nerazzurri produced an encouraging display against Karlsruher, despite the inevitable rustiness that was to be expected after more than two months away from competitive action. KSC were well organised and further ahead in their preparations, with the 2. Bundesliga set to begin in early August, and so the Germans' intensity caused Inter some early problems. However, the Nerazzurri relied on their character and the quality of their players to stay in the contest. After an evenly matched first half, Civeja put the hosts ahead early in the second. From that moment on, Inter began a constant attack, although the equaliser seemed increasingly elusive. Inter, however, refused to accept defeat. Champions never like losing, even in pre-season friendlies. Just when the match looked destined to end in disappointment, the Nerazzurri turned it around through the brilliance of Andy Diouf, who marvelled with his left foot: in the first minute of stoppage time, the Frenchman levelled the score with a powerful half-volley from the edge of the box; three minutes later, he completed the comeback with a magnificent curling strike from the corner of the area. It finished 2-1 to Inter. The Nerazzurri kicked off their pre-season campaign with a victory over Karlsruher, bringing their training camp in Germany to a close with plenty of encouraging signs for the season ahead.

THE MATCH

More than two months after their last competitive fixture, Inter were finally back in action. It may only have been a late-July friendly, but with a full stadium, a new season ahead and the Scudetto and Coppa Italia badges adorning their shirts, the Nerazzurri returned to the pitch eager to compete once again. At the BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe, Cristian Chivu opted for a blend of youth and experience in his familiar 3-5-2 system. Bovio anchored the back three alongside Bisseck and Carlos Augusto, while Aleksandar Stanković lined up in midfield with Barella and Mkhitaryan. Marello and Luis Henrique operated on the flanks, with Pio Esposito partnering Iddrissou up front. Karlsruher, further ahead in their preparations with the 2. Bundesliga season just around the corner, made the brighter start. Their aggressive pressing disrupted Inter's rhythm and created the first openings, with Franke forcing an early intervention from Bisseck and Martinez later denying Wiethaup and Wanitzek. Inter gradually settled, looking to exploit their familiar patterns of play through Barella's vertical passing and Marello's deliveries from the left. Iddrissou and Esposito both tested Bernat, while Bisseck came closest before the interval after Barella brilliantly picked him out with a rabona. The hosts finished the first half on top, but neither side was able to break the deadlock.

Chivu changed his entire outfield line-up after the break, introducing Pavard, Maye, Bastoni, Frattesi, Akinsanmiro, Zieliński, Dimarco, Diouf, Mosconi and Topalović. Karlsruher remained the sharper side and took the lead five minutes into the half when Broschinski's cut-back found Civeja, who calmly fired past Di Gennaro. Inter responded with increasing intensity. Dimarco repeatedly threatened from the left, while Topalović, Mosconi and Pavard all went close as Bernat produced a string of impressive saves. Chivu's side pushed forward relentlessly, introducing Lavelli late on in search of an equaliser, while Karlsruher looked to strike on the counter. The breakthrough finally arrived in stoppage time. After Dimarco's corner was only partially cleared, Andy Diouf reacted quickest to unleash a thunderous left-footed half-volley from the edge of the area that gave Bernat no chance. The equaliser was thoroughly deserved, but the Nerazzurri were not finished. Three minutes later, Diouf completed the turnaround in spectacular fashion, curling a superb left-footed strike into the far corner to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory for Chivu's side.

KARLSRUHER 1-2 INTER | LIVE

Goalscorers: 50' Civeja (K), 90+1' Diouf (I), 90+4' Diouf (I).

KARLSRUHER SC (4-4-2): 1 Bernat; 2 Jung, 28 Franke, 22 Kobald, 3 Ofli; 36 Pinto Pedrosa, 7 Wiethaup, 26 Zor, 10 Wanitzek; 9 Broschinski, 13 Fukuda. Substitutes: 30 Himmelmann, 18 Gebert, 6 Vaananen, 11 Eichinger, 15 Scholl, 23 Civeja, 33 Bergh, 37 Ponente Ramirez. Coach: Maximilian Senft

INTER (3-5-2): 1 J. Martinez; 31 Bisseck, 46 Bovio, 30 Carlos Augusto; 11 Luis Henrique, 23 Barella, 5 Stankovic, 22 Mkhitaryan, 54 Marello; 94 Esposito, 52 Iddrissou. Substitutes : 12 Di Gennaro, 49 Provedel, 60 Farronato, 7 Zielinski, 16 Frattesi, 17 Diouf, 24 Akinsanmiro, 28 Pavard, 32 Dimarco, 48 Mosconi, 53 Lavelli, 56 Maye, 58 Topalovic, 95 Bastoni. Coach: Cristian Chivu.

Booked: Bovio (I)

Added time: 1' - 0'

Referee: Daniel Schlager Assistants: Gunsch - Fritsch