Inter 1-0 Lyon
So Inter Milan are newly rejuvenated, after all!
With the Champions League to look forward to, they took the victory in this ICC 2018 encounter to finally claim a victory after three successive draws.
A goal seven minutes after the restart from new boy Lautaro Martinez proved enough in Via del Mare as he converted a Dalbert Henrique cross after he bombed down the right-hand side.
For what it’s worth, that lifted them from 16th to seventh – above their opponents – in the ICC standings.
Highlights of the game
As ICC 2018 highlights go, this game will not particularly live long in the memory.
With Milan and Juventus dominating the transfer news this summer, Inter could be either irritated at playing second fiddle or be glad much of their transfer business, by comparison, has gone under the radar.
Martinez was one of three new summer signings in the starting line-up as boss Luciano Spalletti also included Kwadwo Asamoah and Matteo Politano.
Their marquee signing Radja Nainggolan is yet to appear for his new club, and his acquisition has probably excited SBOBET fans of the Nerazzurri more than anyone.
There is also Croatian star Ivan Perisic to come back after an excellent World Cup.
With no Nabil Fekir, still being linked with Liverpool two months after the first speculation, for Lyon, the task of leading the line was left to Mariano Diaz while new boy Leo Dubois, bought from fellow Ligue 1 outfit Nantes, was named in defence.
In a match of few clear-cut chances, Lyon went close through former Man Utd full-back Rafael and the newly arrived Martin Terrier who did well against Benfica last week.
Politano saw an effort blocked in reply, but Lyon had the edge with Mariano and Tanguy Ndombele going close.
Indeed, the best player in the opening 45 minutes was arguably the Inter number one, Samir Handanovic, who produced a number of fine saves.
Martinez was particularly lively at the start of the second period, teaming up well with fellow new recruit Politano, and soon had his reward.
The goal from their new number 10, signed from Racing Club in Argentina, after a clever dummy in the box from Politano may have been a little harsh on Lyon but was further proof of his encouraging start to his Inter career.
Lyon continued to fail to take the best of their opportunities.
Mariano and Dubois again went close with Dalbert, also close to adding a second Inter goal.
The introduction of Memphis Depay showed Lyon’s intentions and their attacking momentum increased with both Amine Gouiri and Bertrand Traore briefly threatening.
Yet Inter held firm, and Depay had to resort to two long-range efforts in stoppage time.
These are exciting times for a club which dramatically pipped Lazio to the final Champions League place from Serie A last season and is now preparing for life back at Europe’s top table for the first time since 2012.
They are reportedly willing to offer Perisic his countryman skipper Luka Modric a team-up at club level too.
Whether a four-year contract and reported wages of €11 million a season will tempt Luka Modric from European champions Real Madrid remains to be seen.
For Lyon, their main aim will be to keep Fekir from the clutches of some big-spending clubs.
After losing Willem Geubbels to Monaco for €20 million, Mouctar Diakhaby to Valencia for €15 million, and Sergi Darder and Jean-Philippe Mateta – to Espanyol and Mainz – for €8 million respectively, coach Bruno Genesio can ill afford to lose any more key players, something that has impacted upon the French club in for many years.
For Inter, with Milan making waves across the city (they actually share the San Siro stadium for those who don’t know), you suspect a fun and new era of rivalry is only just beginning.
Key statistics
There were a total of 15 substitutions made in this match – eight for Lyon, seven for Inter Milan –all in the second half.
What’s next?
The ICC 2018 odds on both sides breaking into the top six are reasonable.
They have one match each left in the tournament.
Lyon travel to London now to face Chelsea before opening their Ligue 1 campaign against Amiens SC next weekend on home turf.
Inter take on Europa League winners Atletico Madrid to draw the ICC 2018 to a close before the new Serie A season begins.
They open up at Sassuolo on August 19 before clashes with Torino and Bologna.
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