Inter beat Monza on penalties

A warm summer evening, the floodlights glowing over the U-Power Stadium pitch. The air carried the feel of a friendly serving as a mini dress rehearsal, with every move telling a story and every pause full of anticipation. Monza vs. Inter marked the third step in the Nerazzurri’s preparations, a game that ended 2-2 after 90 minutes before being decided on penalties. Inter prevailed, with ice-cold precision from the spot and a save from Martinez, who let out a smile. But the real story lay in the fragments: neat touches, a light sheen of sweat, and the sense of a team beginning to take shape.

The match began with an Asllani free-kick and a long-range attempt by Mkhytarian. Inter were looking to build play, but Monza struck first: Ciurria received a pass from Caprari, controlled it and calmly slotted home the opener shortly after the half-hour mark. That was when the game changed pace. The Nerazzurri started constructing more intricate attacks and found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, with Birindelli directing a Dimarco cross into his own net. The teams thus went into the break on level terms.

The second half unfolded like a series of quick snapshots. In the 52nd minute, Asllani played a pass across the pitch that almost seemed like a polite invite. Luis Henrique took control and found Darmian, whose shot from distance was cleverly flicked in by Pio Esposito. A fine finish to make it 2-1. Then came some fresh legs: Lautaro, Thuram, Barella, Acerbi and Bastoni entered the fray. Inter nearly made it three, but Monza stayed in the game and equalised through a low right-footed strike from Azzi. The match went to penalties, with silence before every kick. Lautaro, Bastoni, Barella, Acerbi and Thuram scored, while Martinez kept out Sardo’s spot-kick. That sealed it. Another win under the warm August sky, with the sweet feeling of a team starting to click into gear.

MONZA 2-2 INTER

GOALSCORERS: 32' Ciurria (M), 45+1' og. Birindelli (M), 52' P. Esposito (I), 89' Azzi (M)

PENALTIES: Lautaro (I): goal; Obiang (M): goal; Bastoni (I): goal; Galazzi (M):goal; Barella (I): goal, Ganvoula (M): goal; Acerbi (I): goal; Sardo (M): saved; Thuram (I): goal.

MONZA (3-4-2-1): 20 Thiam; 2 Brorsson (72' 15 Delli Carri), 4 Izzo (59' 44 Carboni), 3 Lucchesi (73' 13 Ravanelli); 19 Birindelli (78' 16 Sardo), 32 Pessina (66' 23 Galazzi), 21 Colombo (59' 14 Obiang), 26 Ciurria (78' 70 Martins); 28 Colpani (66' 7 Azzi), 10 Caprari (70' 9 Maric); 47 Mota (42' 35 Ganvoula). Substitutes: 1 Pizzignacco, 25 Sorrentino, 17 Keita Balde, 90 Zanni, 27 Capolupo, 37 Petagna, 33 Domanico. Head Coach: Paolo Bianco. INTER (3-5-2): 13 J. Martinez; 36 Darmian (84' 49 Mosconi), 6 De Vrij (70' 15 Acerbi) , 30 Carlos (83' 43 Cocchi); 11 Luis Henrique (70' 28 Pavard), 8 Sucic (70' 23 Barella), 21 Asllani (83' 45 Bovo), 22 Mkhytarian (83' 41 Kamaté), 32 Dimarco (70' 95 Bastoni); 14 Bonny (70' 10 Lautaro), 94 P. Esposito (70' 9 Thuram). Substitutes: 1 Sommer, 12 Di Gennaro, 48 Re Cecconi. Head Coach: Cristian Chivu.

Stoppage time: 4'; -

Referee: Bonacina Assistants: Lo Cicero; Biffi Fourth official: Calzavara

Inter are taking on Monza at the U-Power Stadium in their third pre-season friendly.

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PENALTIES: Lautaro (I): goal; Obiang (M): goal; Bastoni (I): goal; Galazzi (M):goal; Barella (I): goal, Ganvoula (M): goal; Acerbi (I): goal; Sardo (M): saved; Thuram (I): goal. SECOND HALF 90' - It finishes Monza 2-2 Inter. The match will continue with a penalty shootout. 89' - Azzi levels the match with his right foot. 85' - A mistake in the Monza backline presents Lautaro with an opportunity, but he's unable to add a third. 80' - Lautaro spreads it for Darmian, who is stopped by the Monza defence. 77' - Thiam foils Lautaro following a quick Inter move. 71' - Asllani fires a volley off target. 70' - Six changes for Inter as Lautaro, Thuram, Acerbi, Pavard, Bastoni and Barella enter the fray 65' - Mkhitaryan sends a low right-footed strike narrowly wide. 55' - Bonny comes close to adding a third. 52' - GOOOAAALLLL! Darmian tries his luck from distance, but it's Pio Esposito who gives Inter the lead with a clever backheel! 49' - An excellent Inter move is stopped by Izzo. 46' - The match resumes with no changes for either side.

FIRST HALF 45+1' - INTER EQUALISER! Birindelli diverts into his own net from a Dimarco cross. 45' - Bonny hits the side-netting after a dummy from Esposito. 44' - Bonny has another attempt as Inter look for an equaliser. 42' - First, enforced substitution, with Mota leaving the pitch for Monza. 32' - Ciurria gives Monza the lead from a Caprari assist. 30' - Bonny aims for the top corner, but to no avail. 23' - A corner for Monza and a cooling break midway through the half. 19' - Carlos Augusto makes an intervention to thwart Caprari. 15' - Mkhitaryan earns the first corner of the game. 13' - Thiam saves a Dimarco free-kick. 7' - Luis Henrique sends in a cross for Dimarco, whose effort is blocked. 2' - An Asllani free-kick hits the wall. 1' - Monza vs. Inter kicks off!