Éder’s brace leads Internazionale to 2-0 win over Bayern Munich

It seems Éder’s head was enough to knock off the defending Bundesliga champs.

A brace for the Italian — both in the first half — led Inter Milan to a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich Thursday in the International Champions Cup 2017 at Singapore.

Éder picked up his first goal in the 9^th minute after Antonio Candreva placed a nice cross in his path. Éder worked past Felix Gotze who failed to step in front of the cross.

It was 22 minutes later when Éder struck again. This time it was Ivan Perisic who sent a cross from the left side to the waiting head of Éder.

“It’s only a pre-season friendly but it’s always good to beat a great team like Bayern,” ´Eder said following the game. “We worked really well and we want to carry that into the season.”

On the other side of the ball, Bayern presented little challenge to the Inter defense. It was the second consecutive game where the Nerazzurri backline was challenged sparingly. In their 1-0 win against Olympique Lyon, the French side struggled to cross midfield, especially after the first half.

Bayern did show some attack in the first stages of the game after Franck Ribery fired a shot that Samir Handanovic was able to collect in the 6^th minute. That attack seemed to stop after Inter’s first goal.

The German side was dealt a setback later in the game when Ribery was helped off the field following being taken down by Milan Skriniar. Bayern was able to get playing time for new signee James Rodriguez who struggled to gain any rhythm; as well as Thomas Muller, Javier Martinez and Renato Sanches. Sanches is rumored to be looking for a way out of Munich during the transfer window — presumably to AC Milan.

The only other attempt at goal for Bayern happened when Miranda attempted a pass back to Handanovic that nearly went in for an own-goal.

Gabriel Barbosa came on for Éder in the second half for the Nerazzurri as did Primavera defender Federico Valietti who impressed many Inter fans during the win over Lyon.

Inter boss Luciano Spalletti said despite the win, the team still has a lot of room to grow.

“It's always good to win matches as it brings a feel-good factor - and that helps in football. When you believe in what you're doing, it helps you to do better next time,” Spalletti said following the game. “The players know I don't tell them lies. I've got a good bunch of lads here and I believe they have huge margin for growth."

Internazionale will be back in action on Saturday when they close out their Asian tour and the International Champions Cup with a match-up against Premier League champs Chelsea. The West London club lost 3-2 to Bayern on Tuesday.

International Champions Cup 2017

at Singapore

July 27, 2017

Inter Milan 2, Bayern Munich 0

Inter 2 0 — 2

Bayern 0 0 — 0

First half — Éder 9’ (Inter), Éder 30’ (Inter). Second half — none.

Bayern Munich: Ulreich (GK), Hummels, Ribery, Lewandowski, James Rodriguez, Rafinha, Gotze, Tolisso, Alaba, Coman, Dorsch.

Subs: Fruchtl, Hoffmann, Martinez, Muller, Friedl, Sanches, Wintzheimer, Pantovic.

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.

Inter: Handanovic (GK), D'Ambrosio, Skriniar, Miranda, Nagatomo, Borja Valero, Kondogbia, Candreva, Joao Mario, Perisic; Eder.

Subs: Padelli, Berni, Pissardo, Gagliardini, Jovetic, Biabiany, Ranocchia, Ansaldi, Murillo, Valietti, Emmers, Vanheusden, Rivas, Brozovic, Barbosa, Pinamonti.

Coach: Luciano Spalletti.