Inter Milan international update

After the first round of international games, several Inter Milan players called abroad experienced little success.

In fact, the Croatian national team is sending Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic back to Milan so they can resume team training this week. Despite outshooting Peru 13-8, Croatia dropped a 2-0 decision to the South Americans in the United States on Friday.

Both Perisic and Brozovic earned starts, but neither were able to contribute much – outside Brozovic’s yellow card he earned in the 29^th minute. Brozovic was later subbed off in the 56^th minute for Mateo Kovacic. Croatia will play Mexico this week to close out the international break.

It couldn’t get a lot worse for Italy after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, seeing their manager sacked and turmoil within FIGC -- the Italian Football Federation.

Well, former Inter player Ever Banega notched the first score as Argentina knocked off Italy 2-0 in an friendly at City of Manchester Stadium in England.

Neither Antonio Candreva nor Roberto Gagliardini started the game, but Candreva did come on for Federico Chiesa in the 61^st minute. Banega scored in the 75^th minute – just 11 minutes after he came on the pitch. Manuel Lanzini added the second 10 minutes later.

Future Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez suited up. but like Lionel Messi, did not see any playing time for Argentina.

Italy will take on England Tuesday at Wembley Stadium while Argentina will take on Spain at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday.

Milan Skriniar’s Slovakia found success in Asia as they defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-1 and host Thailand 3-2 to claim the 2018 Kings Cup in Bangkok. Slovakia kept the War Elephants – yes, Thailand’s national team is actually referred to as the War Elephants – from repeating as King’s Cup champion.

Skriniar will soon return to Milan to resume training with Inter this week.

While Inter Milan castoff Joao Mario earned a start for Portugal against Egypt, current Inter player Joao Cancelo did not. Mario played 60 minutes and was subbed off just after Mo Salah scored to put Egypt up 1-0 early in the second half.

Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace – both goals coming in stoppage time – to lead Portugal to the 2-1 win. Portugal will now take on the Netherlands on Monday afternoon.

Inter Milan defender Joao Miranda found the back of the net as Brazil blasted Russia Friday. Miranda scored in the 53^rd minute while Phillipe Coutinho notched a penalty in the 62^nd minute and Paulinho closed out the scoring in the 66^th.

Brazil will travel to face Germany on Tuesday at the Olympiastadion Berlin.

Matias Vecino earned the start for Uruguay in their China Cup semifinal against Czech Republic Friday. Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani both scored in the first half to propel the South Americans to a 2-0 win.

Vecino was subbed off for Lucas Torreira in the 68^th minute. Uruguay will face Gareth Bale and Wales in the China Cup final Monday.

Yann Karamoh did not play for the France U20 team in its 1-0 loss to the United States Saturday.

Andrea Pinamonti did not play in Italy’s U-19 game against Greece. However, Inter Milan Primavera standout Nicolo Zaniolo did start in the 2-0 win in the first game of the Elite Round of the U-19 European Championship.

Both Pinamonti and Zaniolo started in the Italians’ 4-3 win over Poland on Friday. Gianluca Scamacca has scored five of the six goals scored for Italy in their first two games. Now, they will take on the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

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