Highlights from Inter’s 2-0 Win Over Parma

Even with an imminent Romelu Lukaku sale lurking on the horizon, Inter’s preseason is still business as usual. The Nerazzurri continued an unbeaten run of friendlies with a 2-0 win at Parma on Sunday. It was, however, understandably rather overshadowed by off-field occurrences. Lukaku’s absence from the matchday squad was particularly conspicuous ahead of his move to Chelsea, which is awaiting only an official announcement after he completed his medical Monday. But Inter had few problems even without the Belgian and goals from Marcelo Brozovic and Matias Vecino sealed the victory against newly relegated Parma. Simone Inzaghi’s side has now wrapped up three friendlies so far, including a 2-2 draw versus Lugano and a 6-0 win over Crotone.

There weren’t many surprises in the starting eleven, which was once again Inzaghi’s customary 3-5-2. Martin Satriano slotted in for the unavailable Lukaku and along with the 20-year-old Uruguayan, the youthful quartet of Andrea Pinamonti, Eddie Salcedo, Lucien Agoume, and Mattia Zanotti made appearances off the bench. Despite not getting the start, Federico Dimarco continued to impress with a pinpoint cross to Matias Vecino for Inter’s second goal. The other new signing so far, Hakan Calhanoglu, missed out with a slight muscle strain picked up in training.

Starting XI

Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; 37 Skriniar (Moretti 90’), de Vrij ( Ranocchia 73’), Bastoni (Kolarov 64’); Darmian (Zanotti 82’), Barella (Vecino 64’), Brozovic (Agoumé 80’), Sensi (Vidal 64’), Perisic (Dimarco 64’); Satriano (Pinamonti 73’), Lautaro (Salcedo 80’)

Goals

• Brozovic 59’ (Lautaro)
• Vecino 68’ (Dimarco)

Inter has one more friendly before August 21st’s season opener against Genoa, a mere twelve days away (!!!). We’ll have our season preview coverage begin shortly but first, the Nerazzurri are slated to take on Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv Saturday the 14th.

This offseason hasn’t been fun and I for one am ready for actual football to come back. Maybe this season will be a success. Maybe it won’t. But at least we get to see it play out on the pitch and not in the headlines.

Like always, Forza Inter!