Inter Milan closes out ICC with 2-1 win over Chelsea

A penalty put-back by Stevan Jovetic and a sharp cross into the back of the net by Ivan Perisic negated one of the strangest own-goals as Inter Milan closed out its Asian tour with a 2-1 win over Chelsea Saturday in Singapore.

The Nerazzurri ended the International Champions Cup 2017 with three wins in three games following a 1-1 friendly draw with Schalke 04 in Changzhou.

For Inter, the tour saw Jovetic collect his second goal and more reasons why Luciano Spalletti is reluctant to sell Perisic despite demands from Manchester United.

Both sides traded blows during the first half, as Antonio Candreva nearly scored two minutes into the game, but his shot deflected off David Ruiz and off the fingertips of Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Later, Roberto Gagliardini blasted a shot that went wide of goal.

But it was Jovetic that put Inter on the board following a penalty awarded in the area when Jovetic was nudged by Cesar Azpilicueta in first-half stoppage time.

Jovetic’s penalty attempt was pushed back by Courtois, but Jovetic reacted quickly with little challenge by the Chelsea defense to put the ball into the back of the net giving Inter a 1-0 halftime lead.

Coming out in the second half, Inter wasted little time pressing Chelesa. Jovetic nearly found a brace when he pushed the ball into the back of the net, but he was ruled offside.

As the Blues continued to struggle, finding little offensive rhythm, the Nerazzurri capitalized at midfield when Chelsea turned the ball over. It found its way to Perisic who shot across Courtois and into the net to make it 2-0 in the 53^rd minute.

Inter nearly made it 3-0 about 10 minutes later when Perisic pressed ahead on a counter-attack. Just as he attempted a shot on goal, he centered to Joao Mario who connected but sent the shot wide of goal.

Chelsea got on the sheet in the 74^th minute thanks to Geoffrey Kondogbia. With no press, Kondogbia attempted a pass back to Daniele Padelli but instead of passing, he chipped it over Padelli’s head and into the net for an own-goal.

In the final minutes, Chelsea made several attempts to equalize, including an attempt from Charley Munsonda that was saved by Padelli. Mishy Batshuari fired a ball past Padelli in the 87^th minute, but was ruled offside in what was the final chance for the Blues.

Inter will return to Italy in preparation for two final preseason friendlies in two weeks the start of the Serie A season at the end of August.

Gallery — Inter Milan vs. Chelsea

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• Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea FC competes for the ball with Milan Skriniar of FC Internazionale during the International Champions Cup match between FC Internazionale and Chelsea FC at National Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Singapore. Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images for ICC
• Stevan Jovetic of FC Internazionale shoots and scores the first goal during the International Champions Cup match between FC Internazionale and Chelsea FC at National Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Singapore. Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC
• Ivan Perisic of FC Internazionale scores second goals against Chelsea FC during the International Champions Cup match between FC Internazionale and Chelsea FC at National Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Singapore. Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images for ICC
• Ivan Perisic #44 of FC Interernazionale celebrates during the International Champions Cup match between FC Internazionale and Chelsea FC at National Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Singapore. Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC
• Mauro Icardi of FC Internazionale leads his team-mates to celebrate with the Champions Trophy after they defeated chelsea FC 2-1 during the International Champions Cup match between FC Internazionale and Chelsea FC at National Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Singapore. Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images for ICC
• Mauro Icardi of FC Internazionale leads his team-mates to celebrate with the Champions Trophy after they defeated chelsea FC 2-1 during the International Champions Cup match between FC Internazionale and Chelsea FC at National Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Singapore. Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images for ICC
• Mauro Icardi of FC Internazionale leads his team-mates to celebrate with the Champions Trophy after they defeated Chelsea FC 2-1 during the International Champions Cup match between FC Internazionale and Chelsea FC at National Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Singapore. Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images for ICC
• Patrick Murphy, CEO Catalyst Media Group and Minister S.Iswaran and Miranda #25 of FC Interernazionale celebrates with trophy during the International Champions Cup match between FC Internazionale and Chelsea FC at National Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Singapore. Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC

International Champions Cup 2017

Singapore National Stadium

July 29, 2017

Internazionale Milan 2, Chelsea 1

Chelsea 0 1 — 1

Inter Milan 1 2 — 2

First half: Stevan Jovetic 45”+3 (Inter). Second half: Ivan Perisic 53’ (Inter), Geoffrey Kondogbia OG 75’.

Chelsea: Courtois (GK), Azpilicueta (Tomori 86’), David Luiz, Cahill (Scott 86’), Moses (Clarke-Salter 86’), Kante (Cuevas 86’), Fabregas (Pasalic 86’), Alonso (Rudiger 53’), Willian (Musonda 65’), Batshuayi (Remy 86’), Morata (Boga 65’).

Subs not used: Caballero, Christensen, Bulka, Baker, Eduardo.

Coach: Antonio Conte.

Inter: Padelli (GK), D'Ambrosio (Ranocchia 90’+2), Skriniar, Miranda (Murillo 71’), Nagatomo (Ansaldi 71’); Gagliardini, Borja Valero (Valietti 77’), Candreva (Kondogbia 58’), Brozovic (Barbosa 71’), Perisic (Eder 71’); Jovetic (Joao Mario 58’).

Subs not used: Handanovic, Berni, Pissardo, Emmers, Vanheusden, Rivas, Pinamonti.

Coach: Luciano Spalletti.