Inter Milan blows by Villarreal, 3-1 with goals from Éder, Jovetic and Brozovic

Second half goals from Stevan Jovetic and Marcelo Brozovic paced Inter Milan to a 3-1 win over La Liga side Villarreal Sunday at San Benedetto Del Tronto.

The Nerazzurri continued their unbeaten streak during the preseason, winning their last four games after drawing with Schalke 04 to start the preseason in July.

“We’ve done even better this evening,” said Inter coach Luciano Spalletti after the game. “We were not static and kept the ball moving well. However, we can do even better as there is great potential within the squad. I am convinced that I have a strong team.

“At some points in the game, we played with a bit of arrogance so we must make sure that the players keep performing well and are motivated.”

It was Éder who put Inter on the board first.

After missing a shot wide in the 9^th minute, the striker connected in the 26^th minute after receiving a cross from Antonio Candreva and pushing past Villarreal goalkeeper Andrés Fernandez.

It only took 14 minutes for the Yellow to respond when former Bayern Munich youth product and Parma and Crotone player Nicola Sansone drilled a shot right to Samir Handanovic but the rebound was drilled into the back of the net by Roberto Soldado in the 40^th minute.

After changes in the second half, it was Jovetic who broke the deadlock with a ball placed over the head of substitute goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa.

“As for Jovetic, he scored a stunning goal and showed exactly what he is capable of,” Spalletti said. “We must have players that have quality and substance, whilst [sic] also keeping in mind the balance of the team.”

Inter put one more in the back of the net in the 90^th minute when Brozovic netting a ball placed nicely by Mauro Icardi.

“Icardi will be ready for the first league game against Fiorentina,” Spalletti said. “He gave off the right signals today.”

Now, the Nerazzurri will have one more preseason friendly — against Real Betis on Aug. 12 at Lecce.

Highlights

Preseason friendly

Aug. 6, 2017

San Benedetto Del Tronto

Inter Milan 3, Villarreal 1

Villarreal 1 0 — 1

Inter Milan 1 2 — 3

First half: Éder 26’ (INT), Roberto Soldado 40’ (VILLA). Second half: Stevan Jovetic 67’ (INT), Marcelo Brozovic 90’ (INT).

INTER: Handanovic (GK) D'Ambrosio (64' Ansaldi), Skriniar (80' Ranocchia), Miranda (64' Murillo), Nagatomo, Gagliardini (46' Kondogbia), Borja Valero (72' Icardi), Candreva (46' Brozovic), Joao Mario (64' Vecino), Perisic (72' Barbosa), Eder (64' Jovetic)

Substitutes: Padelli, Berni

Coach: Luciano Spalletti

VILLARREAL: Fernandez (46' Barbosa), Mario Gaspar (82' Pau), Victor Ruiz (75' Semedo), Pablo (66' Soriano), Soldado (66' Bakambu), Samu Castillejo (82' Leo Suarez), Trigueros, Rodrigo (87' Chuca), Sansone (66' Unal), Rukavina, Bonera (75' Alvaro)

Substitutes: Ramiro

Coach: Fran Escribà