It is a zero-pressure friendly, that of Hong Kong between Inter and Manchester City, but for an Under 23 player to face Gigio Donnarumma and calmly take a penalty means something. It means that second teams, if well managed, work and develop several prospects ready to make the leap into top-level football, perhaps at Inter itself, in this case. Mosconi and Lavelli, the two forwards who came on in the second half replacing Thu-La, score the two penalties that give Inter a victory that is good for marketing in the East and for the morale of those directly involved but also for the entire Nerazzurri group who will now move to Perth, Australia, to face Milan (Wednesday, August 5) and Juventus (Saturday, August 8). It is true that in the last half hour, when both Chivu and Maresca bring in the young players added to the first team, it is City who is preferred, pushing Inter to defend their penalty area. But the Nerazzurri boys seem to handle this type of difficulty without anxiety, certainly supported by the few leaders left on the field at the end, above all an excellent Provedel on his debut and a freshly renewed Bisseck who is increasingly entrusted with responsibilities towards the “young” category to which he no longer belongs. In short, the reason why Inter conducts a different market from the other big Italian clubs is also this presence of extra resources to evaluate: Marello, for example, is only 18 but shows huge prospects as a fifth and could also complete the battery of wingers, saving the club an expense for a player they are not sure about.
The basic idea is to invest only in players who come to be starters and raise the level. Chivu also explained this: many took it as criticism, but it was simply an explanation. This is the case of Curtis Jones, considered by the Nerazzurri club as that “extra” that would make not only the midfield but the whole team take a step up. And the fact that Inter values him at 35 million despite his contract expiring in a year and having no intention of sitting down to discuss it with Liverpool shows that the Nerazzurri market is based on targeted investment. Palestra was such a case, Jones could be too. If this opportunity is not there, then they proceed to strengthen the squad through smart operations like that of Stones. It is a matter of managing and enhancing the resources already available. Inter is capable of taking time to weigh the potential of those already in the squad who can move from a marginal role to a leading one. This is the case of Diouf who is offering confirmations as a fifth winger, it could be the case of Pavard, aware that he must convince Inter to forgive him, otherwise his career will take a downward turn. And the excellent first half, highlighted by the 1-1 goal which will be the final result (Mubama scored the opener for City), is a sign.
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DECENT PACE
In the first half, where the lineups are close to the starters, apart from the absence of Lautaro and Haaland, as well as the two former players Akanji and Stones, a decent pace can be appreciated. For the first of August in Hong Kong with a humidity rate exceeding 90%, Chivu and Maresca can definitely be satisfied. Two stand out in the Nerazzurri camp: the already mentioned Diouf who also gets beaten by Semenyo in the one-on-one that leads to the goal but even a classic full-back would have been beaten, and upfront he is already a factor, always creating superiority and chances. And Stankovic who shows a rare ability to read spaces, an enviable capacity to anticipate pressing opportunities (thus, intercepting a poor clearance by Donnarumma, he almost scores) and a serene skill in first-time passing. Thus Chivu at the end of the test: “Emergency on the right? It depends on how you look at it, maybe we are missing someone on the left. The market is still long…”.
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